2020 Mercedes GLC 300d Coupe review, India test drive

What is it?

Just about two months just after the start of the facelifted GLC, we now have the updated Coupe edition far too. Nevertheless, while the before Coupe was marketed as an AMG design only, Mercedes-Benz has now picked to introduce the facelifted car or truck in two frequent designs – a petrol three hundred 4Matic and a diesel 300d 4Matic. 

It’s definitely a nod to the simple fact that, while however a niche segment, SUV-coupes are widening their appeal. Other than, with these designs, Mercedes is greater placed to just take on the BMW X4, which is readily available with the two, petrol and diesel powerplants. Also, while the AMG Coupe was brought in as an import, the updated cars are now assembled listed here and are thus priced more in line with the X4.

What’s it like on the outdoors?

The facelift provides with it new style for the headlight inserts, which are also multibeam LED models that can immediately change the light toss to avert dazzling oncoming targeted visitors. In contrast to the frequent GLC that will get twin horizontal bars on the grille, the Coupe will get a solitary bar and a diamond head sample this is a lot like the AMG Coupe but as opposed to it, the pin heads are not chromed. The bumper is the same as on the frequent car or truck and will get the aggressive cladding on the reduce edge.

At the aspect, the coupe retains the slender running board from the before car or truck, and while the AMG has a black window trim, the updated design will get a comprehensive-chrome encompass. The 19-inch alloys are also of a distinct six-spoke sample.

The rear will get recently styled tail-lights, with the lights component style now resembling the sample seen on the frequent GLC and also the GLE and the GLS SUVs.

What’s it like inside of?

Like the outsides, the interiors far too receive a delicate makeover. A large welcome update, though, is the introduction of the new Mercedes MBUX connectivity method, together with the linked car or truck practical experience with an onboard SIM. Though the older Command method was very outdated in its UI and lacked a touchscreen, the new method is slick and effortless to use and provides with it a touch-delicate pad in the centre console, two mini touch pads on the new steering wheel, together with a bigger ten.25-inch monitor that’s touch-responsive as very well. 

The touchscreen and steering touch pads function seriously very well, are responsive, and allow for you exact command. Nevertheless, I would have most popular Mercedes retaining the older click on wheel on the centre console, as it is considerably less complicated to command specific features while on the shift.

There is also the new ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice command assistant, for a hands-free practical experience, and while it can also recognise conversational voice commands, the method in India is however to roll out in its entirety and for now you can only use the set voice prompts.

There is now also Android Automobile and Apple CarPlay connectivity, together with a designed-in navigation method. An additional small but welcome addition is wi-fi charging, but something that is not fantastic is the switch to Form-C only USB ports.

For the Coupe, Mercedes has gone with a electronic instrument panel. So while the frequent GLC will get bodily twin dials, the Coupe will get on-monitor simulated dials that can be altered primarily based on your preference and the driving manner far too. The Coupe also will get a memory functionality for the driver’s seat. Talking of which, seating comfort in the car or truck is major-notch and a working day expended guiding the wheel wasn’t a backbreaking affair.

Rear seating far too is really snug and has excellent back assist, though these with a taller frame may discover head place a bit restricted. Nevertheless, Mercedes has scooped out component of the head lining, and my 5ft 8in frame experienced about two inches of place above. Nonetheless, you do come to feel hemmed in because of to the reduce roof and the lesser home windows.

An additional spot where Mercedes has luckily liberated more place is in the boot. In the before cars, underfloor house was employed for storage compartments, with the house saver tyre in the boot. Now, the tyre goes beneath the ground, leaving you with a clean up and crystal clear boot. The dipping roof, of course, however eats into house but you can at the very least now get some luggage in and have a spare tyre far too.

What’s it like to push?

As mentioned right before, the Coupe now will come with the two, petrol and diesel mills. The petrol is a two.-litre, 4-cylinder unit that will make 250hp and 370Nm of torque, while the diesel is a two.-litre, 4-cylinder unit that puts out 245hp and 500Nm of torque. Equally are BS6 compliant and are the same models as in the frequent GLC. Nevertheless, while in the GLC, they are in the reduce two hundred and 220d point out of tune, in the Coupe they are in the bigger ‘300’ guise. 

The diesel, which is the 1 we experienced for overview, is the newer two.-litre OM654 unit that replaces the previous two.one-litre OM651 motor in the Merc fleet. And just like in the frequent car or truck, the impressive bit is the engine’s level of refinement. Noise and vibrations are nominal at start up and even on the shift you’d have to consciously make an effort to know there’s an oil burner beneath the hood. Rev it challenging and it will get vocal but it however is not severe or strained.

In terms of energy shipping, it is really linear and robust all the way up to around 4,500rpm, where the nine-velocity automated gearbox will upshift no subject what push manner you are in. Even in manual manner, the gearbox will not allow for you to strike the redline that’s marked at five,500rpm. The gearbox is a easy shifter but is not lightning-rapid. In contrast to the 220d point out of tune, the 300d does come to feel a lot quicker and Mercedes declare a -100kph time of 6.6sec towards 220d’s 7.9sec time.

With the update, Mercedes has softened the suspension on the GLC. It is effective very well to take up bumps and ruts, and retains you very isolated inside of. At velocity, even so, there is some system float and spirited driving in corners will have you wishing for a firmer sportier set up. Adjustable dampers would have been the best alternative, or even the super-stiff AMG cure, alternatively of the present-day models. Nevertheless, the steering, which does get motivated by the push modes, has sufficient fat at bigger velocity and is light sufficient at reduce speeds far too.

Need to I get 1?

Previously, with the Coupe getting readily available as an AMG-only design, factors were a ton less difficult – you both experienced practicality or all-out enjoyable. Now, though, with the facelift, factors get a little difficult.  

In a way, the new Coupe sits in no man’s land – it is neither as roomy nor as sensible as the frequent car or truck, nor is it as sporty and enjoyable as the AMG. But on the other hand, if you have often fancied the appeal of an SUV-coupe, you now do not have to go the whole hog into AMG territory and stretch your wallet far too. You can get pleasure from the sportier appeal of the Coupe, get some further effectiveness at the pedal and a bit more tools like a memory seat and an all-electronic instrument panel – all this for a not far too a lot a quality of roughly Rs 6 lakh. The 300d Coupe 4Matic will come in at Rs sixty three.70 lakh while the frequent 220d 4Matic diesel prices Rs 57.seventy five lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India).

It all boils down then to your disposition in direction of SUV-coupes – if you are not a lover, look at the frequent GLC. But if you appreciate them, you now have more selection and, oh, did I point out, Mercedes states the AMG is probable to abide by far too?