Mercedes shows off a camouflaged model of the upcoming GLC during weather tests in Sweden

Mercedes-Benz is preparing for a fierce SUV battle with leading brands such as BMW, Audi and luxury Volvo by introducing the next generation, advanced Mercedes-Benz GLC. Mercedes is set to launch the new GLC cars this fall, as it will launch the GLC classes with three hybrid engines that provide more than 100 km of electric range.

The new GLC will feature four-cylinder combustion engines, as the third generation of the GLC will start with the M254 engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 255 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque with a 48-volt mild hybrid system that includes A 17 kW alternator is integrated into the transmission.

Mercedes has just released the first official images of the GLC, showing a pre-production camouflaged model undergoing winter weather testing in Sweden. GLC will compete strongly with the luxury mid-size segment such as the BMW X3, Volvo XC60 and Audi Q5.

The war between the giants of the luxury car industry is due to BMW's success in eliminating rival Mercedes-Benz for the first time, when it succeeded in recording sales of the X3 by 83,437 units in Europe last year, topping the sector, with Mercedes GL occupying SE ranked second with sales of 74,309 units, down from 99,049 during 2020.

While the Volvo XC60 achieved 72,409 sales, it ranked third, and the Audi Q5 came in fourth place with sales of 61,358 units.

While the current all-electric version, called the EQC, is built on the GLC class, Mercedes is moving towards producing a lineup of all-electric grades bearing the EQ brand, separate from the equivalent models based on conventional combustion engines.

GLC will share much of its underpinnings with the latest C-Class sedan, which debuted last year on the MRA II rear- and all-wheel drive platform.

The GLC will feature the second generation of Mercedes' MBUX infotainment system, which was launched in the new S-Class.

For GLC models available with all-wheel drive and rear axle steering, the system will feature a loading menu that includes a true view of the ground beneath the front end to help the driver spot obstructions.

GLC will also be equipped with an augmented reality display system that puts house numbers and traffic lights on images using the front camera. According to Mercedes, the standard screen size will be about 11.9 inches, for the center screen and 12.3 inches for the dashboard.