► GLC is Merc’s next crossover
► New spy photos reveal 4×4
► Closely related to C-class
These new spy photos reveal the Mercedes-Benz GLC – the successor to the left-hand drive only GLK crossover.
Not to be confused with Goldie Looking Chain or the Greater London Council, the new GLC will be sold as this five-door SUV or an X4/Evoque rivalling three-door mash-up coupe previewed by the GLC Coupe at the recent Shanghai motor show.
We’re only a few short months away from seeing this SUV for real; word is, it’ll be shown at an event in June 2015. And the good news is the new model will be built in right-hand drive, meaning that this baby GLE/M-class is a dead cert for UK sale.
The outgoing GLK was never sold here, since Daimler didn’t deem right-hookers a priority when it was developed in the early years of the new millennium.
Mercedes GLC: what we know
This car is based closely on the C-class architecture, which suggests that rear-wheel drive is a distinct possibility for entry-level cars and those not needing 4wd.
It also means that the range of engines will closely mirror that in Merc’s best-selling compact exec: expect starter models to be powered by 1598cc diesel and 1991cc petrol four-cylinder engines.
And judging by what we C-class performance, CO2 emissions won’t be far above 100g/km to keep tax bills in check. At least if you steer clear of the mooted GLC63 AMG with its bi-turbo 4.0 V8 and circa-500bhp brawn.
GL for off-roader, C for C-class based
Previous scoops on the GLC have captured more heavily disguised prototypes but this car is a final test validation model.
‘It basically looks like an jacked up C-Class wagon,’ said our man with the long lens. ‘Nothing wrong with that, since that’s a good-looking car.’
Expect to see the new GLC in mid June 2015.