Mercedes said 2015 was going to be the year of the SUV and they were not lying. After showing the GLE Coupe in Detroit two month ago, pretty much every model they have will be replaced by a new one by the end of the year. The one we're most interested in is the GLC, which replaces the GLK and it's the only one based on a brand new platform.
We thing the GLC-Class is only a couple of months away from being revealed and as you can see from this video shot by WalkoART near Stuttgart, Mercedes aren't even trying to hide it any more. This prototype was spotted with minimal camouflage and in plain view, looking a lot like a jacked up version of the W205 C-Class.
The pre-production prototype appears to have been painted in Hyacinth Red Metallic and has a sporty body kit. Compared to the GLK, this new SUV appears bigger yet more elegant, thanks to those swooping rear pillars.
Everything from cargo volume to the amount of legroom available will be increased. And since the platform is based on the new C-Class, you can be sure Airmatic suspension will be available as an option, something many current owners have been asking for.
As for the engines, all of them will be carried over from the W205 C-Class, with an emphasis being placed on 4-cylinder mills. Hybrid tech is a guarantee, and there's talk of a performance model with the AMG badge, which many people have interpreted as meaning a 4-liter twin-turbo V8 will be used. However, we think that's not the case and the 367 hp 3-liter V6 from the GLE 450 AMG will actually be chosen, since it's more practical and economical.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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