Mercedes-Benz Reveals 2023 GLC Coupe

Mercedes-Benz unveils the second-generation GLC Coupe, confirming it will be produced with two turbocharged 4-cyl. engines in seven standard models, including a trio of plug-in hybrids, each boasting an electric range of over 74 miles (119 km) on the WLTP test procedure.

Set for sale in North America during the second half of 2023, the high-riding 5-door model has been comprehensively reworked in an engineering program that includes the GLC CUV, C-Class sedan and wagon, alongside which it will be produced at Mercedes-Benz’s Bremen factory in Germany.

Developments for the ’23 GLC Coupe include a restyled exterior. It adopts more shapely LED headlamps that extend into a larger grille (pictured, below), a heavily contoured hood, tauter surfacing throughout the body, larger wheelhouses and more prominent feature lines in its flanks.

MB GLC Coupe 23 front fascia

As with its predecessor, the new model features a distinctive coupe-like roofline with a plunging liftgate giving it a more dynamic appearance than the more upright GLC CUV.

The rear is distinguished by new-look LED taillamps, a more defined upturn at the rear of the liftgate for added downforce and, on the AMG-line model, a metallic-look valance with an integrated diffuser element bookmarked by a pair of tailpipes.   

At 187.5 ins. (4,763 mm) long, 74.4 ins. (1,890 mm) wide and 66.9 ins. (1,699 tall), the ’23 GLC Coupe is 1.2 ins. (30 mm) longer, the same width and 2.1 ins. (53 mm) taller than the first-generation GLC Coupe introduced in 2016. It also gets a 0.6-in. (15-mm) longer wheelbase at 113.7 ins. (2,888 mm), together with track widths that have been extended 0.2 in. (5 mm) to 64.1 ins. (1,628 mm) at the front and 0.9 in. (23 mm) to 64.6 ins. (1,641 mm) at the rear over its predecessor.

Inside (pictured, below), the GLC Coupe receives the same interior appointments as the GLC CUV. Included in a heavily restyled dashboard is a 12.3-in. (31-cm) instrument display and 11.9-in. (30-cm) portrait-style center display together with a new multifunction steering wheel and newly styled air vents.

Mercedes-Benz says it has provided the midsize CUV with higher-quality materials in a conscious bid to raise perceived luxury and comfort. Among the options are a new head-up display unit, panoramic glass roof and 710W Burmester surround-sound system with 15 speakers.

MB GLC Coupe 23 cockpit

The longer wheelbase and an extended rear overhang serve to provide the new model with an added 1.6 cu.-ft. (45 L) of cargo capacity at 19 cu.-ft. (545 L) in the gasoline and diesel models and 14 cu.-ft. (390 L) in the plug-in hybrids. This can be extended to a respective 53 cu.-ft. (1,490 L) and 47 cu.-ft. (1,335 L) when the rear seat is folded down.

By comparison, the GLC CUV offers up to 21 cu.-ft. (600 L) of cargo space, extending to 59 cu.-ft. (1,680 L) with the rear seats folded.  

The second-generation GLC Coupe will be sold with the choice of either a turbocharged 2.0L gasoline or turbocharged 2.0L diesel engine.

Details of the North American lineup are yet to be revealed. 

In Europe, there will be two gasoline models and two diesel models. All will feature mild-hybrid properties with an added 23 hp and 148 lb.-ft. (201 Nm) of torque from a gearbox-mounted electric starter-generator under acceleration, as well as Mercedes-Benz’s 9-speed 9G-tronic automatic gearbox and 4Matic all-wheel-drive system as standard.

The lineup begins with the gasoline-powered GLC 200 4Matic and GLC300 4Matic (pictured, below), which deliver 201 hp and 255 hp, respectively. They are joined by the diesel-powered GLC220D 4Matic and GLC300d 4Matic, with 194 hp and 265 hp.

MB GLC coupe 23 underhood

The three plug-in hybrid models include the gasoline-electric GLC300e 4Matic and GLC400e 4Matic, which boast combined outputs of 308 hp and 375 hp, as well as the diesel-electric GLC300de 4Matic with 328 hp.

Each of the PHEVs receives a 31.2-kWh battery, providing them with electric ranges of between 74 and 81 miles (119 and 130 km) for the gasoline-electric models and between 70 and 81 miles (113 and 130 km) for the diesel-electric model.

Also planned are successor models to the GLC43 4Matic Coupe and GLC63 4Matic+ Coupe from Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance-car division. They are planned to run the same 402-hp mild-hybrid and 671-hp plug-in hybrid drivetrains as the latest C43 4Matic and C63 Matic+.  

The ’23 GLC Coupe is based on an updated version of Mercedes-Benz’s MRA platform and is underpinned by the same four-link front and multi-link rear suspension as the fifth-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class and its GLC CUV sibling.

Unlike the C-Class, though, it receives an optional Airmatic air suspension, which is standard on the PHEVs with variable damping control. There’s also a new rear-wheel steering system providing up to 4.5 degrees of steering angle to the rear wheels.

As before, the new GLC Coupe will be sold with an optional off-road package. It includes a dedicated off-road driving mode, a downhill speed regulation function and a 360-degree camera offering a so-called ‘transparent hood” in which a graphic within the infotainment system shows a virtual view underneath the front of the vehicle, including the angle of the front wheels.

MB GLC Coupe 23 rear 3.4