The sales of the GLC 300 e 4MATIC and GLC 300 de 4MATIC, the new plug-in hybrids from Mercedes-Benz, have begun

A few months after they were presented at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is welcoming new members to its line-up: the EQ Power family, the GLC 300 e 4MATIC and GLC 300 de 4MATIC, two plug-in hybrid powertrains available for both the standard SUV body and the SUV coupé version. They add to the German brand’s electrification strategy, which aims to reach 20 electrified models by 2020.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 e 4MATIC and GLC 300 de 4MATIC show no exterior styling changes compared with the combustion-engined versions, except that behind the rear right wheel arch we will find the charging port cover. The interior is practically the same, but there are small differences: the MBUX system is optimised to display data related to the powertrain and battery, and the boot space is slightly reduced compared with the rest of the GLC range, at 395 litres of capacity.

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 e 4MATIC

The petrol variant uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder inline engine producing 211 CV and 350 Nm of torque, working together with a 90 kW electric motor delivering 440 Nm. This gives a combined system output of 320 CV and 700 Nm of torque, sent to all four wheels through the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. With these figures, both the SUV and the SUV coupé accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 230 km/h.

The hybrid system also features a 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, allowing up to 130 km/h in fully electric mode, and an maximum electric range of 45 km with the SUV body and 43 km with the coupé. Combined fuel consumption is 3 l/100 km, with CO2 emissions of 68 g/km, and combined electricity consumption of 38.5 kWh/100 km, all according to the WLTP test cycle.

The battery can be charged from a 2.3 kW domestic socket in 5 hours. Using the Mercedes Wallbox, the time drops to 2.75 hours with a 16 A single-phase line delivering 3.7 kW, or to 1.5 hours with a three-phase 7.4 kW line.

The starting price of the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 e 4MATIC with the SUV body is 62,375 euros, and the coupé version starts at 65,325 euros.

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 de 4MATIC

For those who prefer it, there is also a diesel variant, using a 2.0-litre four-cylinder inline engine producing 194 CV and 400 Nm of torque, coupled to the same 90 kW electric motor with 440 Nm. The combined hybrid system output is 306 CV and 700 Nm of torque, also sent to all four wheels through the 4MATIC system. In the diesel variant, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 6.2 seconds, and the top speed is again 230 km/h.

The battery is the same as in the petrol version, so the maximum speed in fully electric mode and the charging times are also the same, but there are small differences in range and consumption figures. Both bodies offer a maximum electric range of 45 km, with combined electricity consumption of 29 kWh/100 km. Combined fuel consumption is 2.2 l/100 km, with CO2 emissions of 57 g/km.

The starting price of the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 de 4MATIC with the SUV body is 64,200 euros, and the coupé body starts at 67,150 euros.