► New electric GLC revealed in Munich
► All-new look for popular SUV
► 800-volt architecture and 443-mile range
You’re looking at the all-new GLC, the first in a wave of vehicles from Stuttgart that reset the styling tone for Mercedes. Bold, packed with tech and fully electric, the new GLC will spearhead a techier, more premium and outwardly more traditional EV line up from the brand. Revealed at the 2025 Munich motor show, the first GLC landing will be the range-topping GLC 400 4Matic, but expect four additional variants to follow.
Well, everything – but front and centre is an entirely new grille – first previewed before the GLC was even shown. Illuminated (this is an EV after all) but still upright and squared, it draws inspiration from some of Stuttgart’s classic designs – but adds a touch of the future with 942 pinsharp dots. As you’d expect, the panel is huge and eye-catching in person – and it’ll also be able to communicate the GLC’s charging status and welcome users to the car.
What follows is a car that’s slightly longer than the current GLC, with a wheelbase that’s grown 84mm compared to the ICE car. Most of the space goes straight to the cabin, with 13mm more legroom for the front passengers and an additional 47mm for those in the rear. A drive for more headroom also means that the front passengers benefit from a further 46mm, while those sitting at the rear get an additional 17mm headspace. The boot, meanwhile, is 570 litres, though that extends to 1740-litres with the seats down. The GLC also has a frunk, which adds 128-litres.
There’s also an entirely new MBUX Hyperscreen and new autonomous tech – but we’ll talk about that later.
The new GLC draws a line both in and out, and with that in mind it debuts a more integrated architecture with a 94kWh battery. That, combined with two motors, makes for 483bhp along with a WLTP-certified 443-mile range. Part of that efficiency comes from the systems 800-volt architecture, but part of it also comes from a multi-source heat pump which will be fitted as standard. That should ensure the GLC is much closer to its maximum range in colder conditions.
The 800-volt architecture has other benefits: plug in the right charger, and the Mercedes takes on 188 miles of electricity in just 10 minutes. A DC convertor will be also be thrown in for some countries (UK tbc) which will enable 400-volt fast-charging. Finally, Mercedes also says the GLC is ‘prepared’ for V2G and bi-directional charging, so it’ll act as a battery or ‘storage solution’ in integrated home systems with solar power etc.
Alongside the powertrain tech, Mercedes is also throwing in two key bits of technology: the integrated air suspension from the S-Class, and a ‘One-Box braking system.’ The latter is designed to better blend the transition between braking regeneration through the powertrain and tradtional braking through the friction brakes. This remains a stumbling block for many EVs, so it’ll be interesting to see how Mercedes has implemented it. The GLC should use regen braking in ‘99% of cases’ with a ceiling of up to 300kW.
You can, at least, tailor the strength of recuperation; there’ll be D- for the maximum level, D for the normal level, D+ for none at all and D Auto for a smart, on the fly setting. Rear-axle steering will also be an optional extra.
The GLC packs its newly earned cabin space full of technology, but front and centre is the new 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscrreen – the largest of any Benz to date. Consisting of an unbroken screen, it’s capable of displaying 11 different themes, and will run the most up to date version of Stuttgart’s MB.OS operating system and over 40 apps at the time of writing. It looks huge in these pictures, but it’s even bigger in person.
As you’d expect from a premium car shown in 2025, AI is also a factor, though here Mercedes has things generally up to the user. Both Microsoft and Google agents have been baked in, and MB.OS also bring back the MB.UX virtual assistant.
MB.Drive, the name for Mercedes’ autonomous and safety software has also been supercharged for the GLC. With that in mind its self-driving systems use ten external cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors.
Alongside the huge screen (modelled on a wave, according to the GLC’s interior designers) the Mercedes gets one even bigger flourish of bling. Its ‘Sky Control’ panoramic roof not only makes the cabin feel even larger – it can also be adorned with an optional 162 Mercedes stars. Etched between the layers of glass and insulation they effectively float in space and can be made to shine one of 64 colours at a time. It’s not for everyone, but it’s impressive.
Things haven’t gone totally haptic though: to make things easier to use, Mercedes has rolled back on its steering-mounted haptic controls replaced them traditional dials and rockers. Common sense does win occasionally.
Curtis Moldrich is CAR magazine’s Digital Editor and has worked for the brand for the past five years. He’s responsible for online strategy, including CAR’s website, social media channels such as X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, and helps on wider platform strategy as CAR magazine branches out on to Apple News+ and more.
By Curtis Moldrich
CAR's Digital Editor, F1 and sim-racing enthusiast. Partial to clever tech and sports bikes
