First Drive Mercedes Benz GLC - famous British poet William Shakespeare once wrote, "What's in a name?" What is the mean...
First Drive Mercedes Benz GLC - famous British poet William Shakespeare once wrote, "What's in a name?" What is the meaning of a name? Then there is also a mention, is the name of the power of the "soul" of the object itself. In addition to being a lifelong identity, the name is said to save a mysterious power. In Indonesia, a ritual performed if a person change or change its name in order to avoid bad luck.
But what is done by Mercedes-Benz with replacing the entire nomenclature in the family SUV they do not need any rituals. Only Mercedes-Benz certainly hope there will be success behind the replacement of the name. After GLA-Class is based on the A-Class and GLE-Class ML-Class replaces, now the latest is the GLC-Class, C-Class-based SUV that is expected to follow the success of the German manufacturer's best-selling sedan. GLC actually this is the latest generation of the GLK-Class, but Mercedes-Benz GLC renamed apart because based C-Class also because it will now be available right wheel models.
Indeed, the first generation GLK, Stuttgart manufacturer only provides the only option left wheel, so this car was never found in the streets of Indonesia. Now, Mercedes admits the growth trend of the higher SUV in the world to make them wake up to give birth to GLC with the steering wheel right and left. Autocar Indonesia was invited by Mercedes-Benz Indonesia (MBI) to directly test the Stuttgart manufacturer's latest SUV. I tested it by exploring three cities in three European countries, namely Basel in Switzerland, Ettenheim, Germany to Strasbourg, France.
New Design Paradigm
GLC-Class is indeed adopting MRA platform (Modular Rear Architecture) similar to the C-Class, but thanks to the modifications made, GLC has a wheelbase 33 mm longer than the C-Class. While distance pijaknya also 31 mm wider at the front and 47 mm at the rear. This makes the GLC's cabin feels much more relieved of this close relative.
Mercedes did admit if GLC is the answer to the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, so that the dimensions similar to X3 and Q5. However, when compared with the competitors weigh, GLC is still superior to about 1 mm long, 9 mm wider and 21 mm lower than the X3, which is 4,656 x 1,890 x 1,639 mm.
Although the dimensions GLC is also larger than its predecessor, Mercedes said that if the GLC has a weight of 80 kg lighter than the GLK. It is obtained from the use of a mixture of high-strength steel in the body structure with aluminum on the front wings, bonnet and roof.
Mercedes says the second generation of the GLK has combined elements of toughness G-Class with sporty aura belonging to the C-Class. Shapes and curves of the GLC is different from its predecessor, the GLK. He no longer boxy and stiff like the GLK and the G-Class. GLC sculpted with a lot of curves that make the body more modern and beautiful to look at. GLC also supported a good level of aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of wind that just 0.31 cd.
Front view implies latest design language of Mercedes-Benz. Short overhangs, combined with a compact and high double crossbar grille flanked the Mercedes-Benz star logo. Glance is the same as the C-Class, ranging from the shape of the grille, headlamps including DRL shape to form the bumper and airdam. Only, the GLC can adjust the shape of the bumper trim options you choose. Shifted to the side, the new apparent difference if GLC is an SUV with a ground clearance of 181 mm. Besides greenhouse GLC barely resemble the look of a coupe. Behind the display has a character that is wide and muscular SUV with a bumper choice that also vary the same as the front.
Changing the Mercedes design paradigm not only for external appearance only. GLC also recently received significant changes in the interior. Entry into the cabin, immediately felt like getting into the cabin of the C-Class last generation. Its layout is exactly the same as the close relative. A key element of the interior design is on the dashboard and center console form a series of line that flows from the center air vents to the armrest. In addition, the innovative touchpad typical Mercedes-Benz has been developed so as to enter letters or numbers by finger movement, like the touch screen on a smartphone. While screen media viewer that is integrated with the touchpad is positioned on the center console.
A feeling of space and relief greeted me upon entry into the cabin which is supported by the panoramic roof. As a sitting position on the GLC SUV higher than his brother C-Class. But the aura of luxury and elegance radiates from the selection of premium quality materials, such as nappa leather upholstery with wood trim and metallic berlabur AC holes. All this is presented for the sake of presenting a driving pleasure without compromising the aesthetic beauty.
Three Mechanical Heart
Mercedes-Benz has been providing three engine options for tasting by journalists. Two 4-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 2.1 liter turbo and a 4-cylinder gasoline engine 2.0-liter turbo. GLC 220d has a power of 170 hp with a torque of 400 Nm, then GLC 250D with a maximum power of 204 hp and torque of 500 Nm. The latter is the GLC 250 petrol engine capable of throwing power of 211 hp and torque of 350 Nm.
All these variants are offered with four-wheel drive (AWD) or 4MATIC permanent. To drive all four wheels, the Stuttgart manufacturer is pinning latest automatic transmission, 9G-TRONIC. 9-speed transmission is they claim to have fuel efficiency is very good.
Trips exploring the three countries starting from airport EuroAirport in Basel, Switzerland. I chose to try the Mercedes-Benz GLC with petrol variant in advance. Because according to the Mercedes-Benz Indonesia (MBI) is likely to be coming into the country is the GLC 250. The first Stage is about 111 km to the wineries Winery Weber in the town of Ettenheim, Germany. The majority of the route followed by the condition of the highway, with some parts of the highway passing through the countryside to the contours of the mountains are full of twists and rise and fall.
2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine turns on without making a sound that means, the car drove without stamping thanks to the 9-speed transmission that presents the latest gear shift very smooth. To accelerate, GLC 250 4MATIC the test unit I was quite responsive. But I can not use the style of driving in the streets of Jakarta, because in Europe is very tight with a lot of clues about the maximum speed limit. So here I explore more features and technology owned by GLC.
Perceives to be a passenger on the GLC also really fun. You will get the feeling of a cozy and quiet like a premium car. With leg and shoulder room as well as the head of a relief, a long journey was not tiring. His panoramic roof able to lull the rear passengers, causing the impression of a more spacious. Rear luggage capacity of 550 liters that can be expanded to 1,600 liters when the second row is folded.
German-style sophistication Technology
Please note, I am trying GLC is equipped with various advanced technologies that help the driver, especially in terms of driving safety. Ranging from Water Body Control, this is the first SUV in this segment are adopting technology multi-chamber air suspension. Combined with the Adaptive Damping System Plus (ADS Plus) GLC deliver a stable ride and agility with optimized comfort levels.
Air Conditioning Body Control suspension is presenting works in conjunction with Dynamic driving mode Select typical Mercedes. The suspension system will automatically adjust the level of rigidity and flexibility of the suspension according to the driving mode you select. Dynamic Select the GLC offers five driving modes, Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport + and Individual. The same is true for ADS Plus, where the computer will choose the best damping characteristics are automatically fit the contour of the road surface.
I feel alone when driving with Comfort mode and a little maneuvering quickly, suspension and damping characteristics become stiffer instantly corrected so that the car still feels stable. Likewise, when using the Sport mode and the car struck the hole, but this time his character turned upside down because of air suspension and dampers will be much softer on tires that struck the hole. The effect is very minimal and the shocks felt in the cabin still feels comfortable. According to Mercedes, this system works with the response only about 60 milliseconds.
The characters are pretty impressed me was the Sport + mode, because it gives the sensation GLC like driving a sports car because the height of the car automatically into the lower 15 mm and coupled with a higher engine speed so that the acceleration response becomes more enjoyable. Proven when crossing the Autobahn to get to Strasbourg, France I was able to spur GLC until almost touching the 200 kph at the speedometer.
There are still many technological sophistication of this medium SUV. The most caught my attention is the Distronic Plus system. At first I thought this is the cruise control system is the same as any other cruise control who has repeatedly I jajal. However Distronic Plus is much more sophisticated, according to Rainer Tiefenbacher as GLC Development is the same as the Autonomous technology. Because the system is coupled with Steer Control and Stop & Go Pilot so that not only keep pace car driver's liking, but also be able to follow the speed of the car in front of him even in heavy traffic conditions (stop-and-go).
I tried it myself while on the highway, and indeed the car is automatically reduces the speed when the radar detects the distance of the vehicle in front to a minimum, even when the car in front of the stop condition. All this is done automatically by the computer without any intervention from me as a driver. Sophisticated is not it? Standard safety aspects are also supported technology Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Crosswind Assist, Headlamp Assist and Attention Assist. GLC steering wheel will vibrate when you change lanes without signaling.
Off-road capability
GLC 250 4MATIC satisfied this test on a smooth and winding streets, it's time I test the off-road capability of the GLC on a track that has been prepared in the area wineries Winery Weber, Germany, along 30 km. Although the majority of buyers GLC I do not think will bring this SUV deep into the woods or into the area without a paved road, yet still provides the Mercedes-Benz Off-Road Engineering option for the owners of GLC. To that end, Mercedes has been juggling the wineries of this region into the offroad tracks with difficulty levels are quite challenging and makes my heart beat faster.
I went into the GLC 250 4MATIC which has been equipped with the Offroad Engineering Package accompanied by an instructor from Mercedes. Mode 'offroad' was chosen so that the cars ride height 50 mm from the default. Oh yes, the offroad package there are five separate driving modes of Dynamic Select, namely Slippery, Trailer, Off-road, Incline and Rocking Assist. Besides the car also gets an extra surge protector in order to protect the bottom of the rocky terrain. As well as Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR), which regulates the speed of the car when a sharp derivative, similar features Hill Descent Control.
The first challenge is the sharp incline where when climbing that can be seen are the blue color of the sky. This is where the 360 ° camera function that displays the car's position from all directions (bird-eye), the instructor simply gives direction to look at the camera as it turns out after arriving at the top of the street to turn broken to the right. And with the help of this camera these obstacles can be overcome easily. Mercedes does not provide low-gear on GLC offroad package so that to climb you have to keep pressing the gas pedal aggressively.
The next challenge is the sharp derivatives without stepping on the brake pedal, rely only on DSR and I was sliding down safely. Then proceed to the next obstacle that shows GLC offorad ability can not be underestimated. Here several times GLC forced to stand with three wheels even just two wheels, to show the system 4ETS (Electronic Traction System) works well.
If the brake pedal is released under conditions of one or two wheels do not get the traction that the wheels will continue to rotate, but if the gas pedal, the wheel stops and the torque of the wheel will be transferred automatically to the other wheel that gets traction. This shows if the GLC can escape from massive sized hole without difficulty. Perhaps here the better I let the pictures do the talking. Clearly the approach and departure angles reaches 30.8 ° and 24.8 ° plus 19.7 ° breakover angle and tilt angle up to 35 °, GLC is still able to fight the latest Land Rover Discovery in hostile terrain.
I do not think if the GLC will be presenting this as good experience, because the generation of the GLK previously never existed in Indonesia. But all this I felt with the highest specifications of the GLC will be marketed for Europe. What about the GLC will be coming into the country? It seems like if Mercedes retaining all the features and technologies similar to GLC me this test then the consequences will be borne by the consumer at a price which is not cheap. MBI's own party is not willing to divulge the GLC specifications for Indonesia.
The success of Mercedes-Benz with the renaming of the entire line-up of SUVs they seem to be a sweet fruit, starting from GLC that seemed to be able to follow the success of his C-Class. Maybe not all of the owners of this GLC will test their cars in the same way as this, but knowing the true power of this GLC produces a perfect symbiosis, according to the characteristics of the three countries that I browse. Mercedes-Benz GLC has the character of an efficient state like Switzerland, loaded with advanced technology typical of Germany and makes you enjoy life with joy style of French society.
