Shield-Shaped Grille for New Electric Era: Mercedes-Benz's All-New GLC Debuts This Year and Will Be Produced in China Next Year

The retro classic shield-shaped design, an almost 1-meter ultra-large screen—the largest ever, an 800-volt electrical architecture, and a WLTP range of 713 kilometers. In 2026, the domestically produced model will be further lengthened on top of its already extended version. This is the all-new pure electric Mercedes-Benz GLC, which made its global debut at the Munich Motor Show.

On September 8th, the all-new fully electric GLC SUV made its debut at the Mercedes-Benz Night during the Munich Auto Show and was launched globally. As the electric masterpiece of Mercedes-Benz's best-selling model in recent years, it features a comprehensive upgrade in design language and driving performance. It also ushers in a new era for the luxury mid-size SUV segment with outstanding performance and efficiency.

Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, stated that the all-new all-electric GLC SUV will continue to unfold the strongest product and technology offensive in Mercedes' history. This is not only a new model but also a new chapter in the all-electric journey of the brand's best-selling global model.

The all-new all-electric GLC SUV showcases the classic proportions of Mercedes-Benz's mid-size SUV and becomes the first Mercedes model to feature the new illuminated grille. The "grille," one of the most iconic design elements in automotive history, was pioneered, interpreted, and led by Mercedes-Benz to this day.

The iconic chrome frame combined with the honeycomb radiator structure pioneered by Wilhelm Maybach in the 1900s is integrated into the futuristic design, making it the most striking feature of the all-new pure electric GLC SUV’s exterior. Its signature shield-shaped grille is more streamlined and minimalist, featuring a smoked glass-like mesh embedded with 942 polycarbonate backlit points, creating a digital pixel effect. When unlocking or charging, vivid animation effects are displayed, giving the classic design interactive capabilities. This design redefines the brand’s "face," delivering instantly recognizable Mercedes-Benz identity while showcasing personalized animation effects.

The all-new seamless MBUX Hyperscreen measures 39.1 inches (99.3 centimeters) and features a floating design, making it the largest screen ever from Mercedes-Benz. Its ultra-high resolution combined with innovative matrix backlight technology (including 1,000 individual LEDs) delivers a cinematic viewing experience with stunning clarity. The active ambient lighting system adds a futuristic touch. The intelligent light-sensing panoramic sunroof offers passengers an almost unobstructed view of the sky, which can switch to an opaque, matte texture with a single button press to block sunlight. It is equipped with 9 independently adjustable zones, allowing front and rear passengers to choose freely. The panoramic sunroof's 162 star emblems, using Mercedes' patented technology, can be illuminated immersively with the ambient lights, adding a romantic atmosphere to the luxurious cabin when night falls, and further evolving the interior's functional value.

The all-new all-electric GLC SUV is the largest GLC SUV in history, with a wheelbase of 2972 mm, which is 84 mm longer than the standard wheelbase gasoline version of the GLC SUV. The longer wheelbase results in more spacious seating, with front and rear legroom increased by 13 mm and 47 mm respectively, and front and rear headroom increased by 46 mm and 17 mm respectively. The extra-large 128-liter front trunk can be opened via the Mercedes-Benz star touch; the rear trunk has a capacity of 570 liters, which can be expanded to 1740 liters by folding down the rear seats.

The all-new all-electric GLC SUV also offers an optional trailer hitch, providing a towing capacity of up to 2.4 tons. Combined with the ESP® Trailer Stability System and Trailer Manoeuvring Assist, it enables easy and safe towing of large caravans.

As the most intelligent Mercedes-Benz SUV, the all-new all-electric GLC SUV is equipped with the 4th-generation MBUX intelligent human-machine interaction system. This brand-new intelligent interaction system is the world’s first in-car infotainment system to integrate both Microsoft and Google AI technologies. Based on this “multi-agent collaboration” technology, the Mercedes-Benz Virtual Assistant is smarter, more communicative, and more emotionally expressive than traditional voice interaction systems. Multiple intelligent agents can consolidate information from internet knowledge bases and provide the best answers without requiring customers to choose, ensuring precise responses and a natural conversational experience comparable to talking with a friend. The Mercedes-Benz Virtual Assistant now offers two new virtual avatars: one presents a futuristic, anthropomorphic form for advanced interaction, while the other uses a more expressive facial image to evoke deeper emotional resonance. The “SoundExperience” holistic sound system introduces two new soundscape modes: “Fractal Fusion” and “Granular Fuzz,” creating a powerful acoustic experience for the era of electric mobility.

The all-new all-electric GLC SUV benefits from an 800-volt electrical architecture, silicon carbide inverters, the only two-speed transmission in its class, and a four-wheel drive disconnect unit (DCU), offering a powerful output of 360 kW and a top speed of 210 km/h. It can achieve a pure electric range of 713 km under WLTP conditions and supports a maximum of 330 kW DC fast charging, allowing a 10-minute charge to add 303 km of range, making charging as convenient as refueling. The all-new all-electric GLC SUV can recover energy through braking in over 99% of situations, with energy recovery power up to 300 kW significantly enhancing range.

The all-new, China-exclusive all-electric GLC SUV will be domestically produced and launched in 2026. Compared with the globally debuted model, the domestically produced all-new all-electric GLC SUV will feature an even longer wheelbase and, for the first time, offer an optional 6-seat layout, with two luxurious individual seats in the second row providing a premium and comfortable experience for passengers.

The all-new all-electric GLC SUV exclusively for China will feature urban and highway pilot assistance driving designed for Chinese customers, providing a Mercedes-Benz standard, user-friendly, safe, and comfortable assisted driving experience. After entering the Chinese market, the locally produced models will continue to offer a digital travel experience tailored for local customers, including the Doubao AI model, iFLYTEK voice technology, and Mercedes-Benz custom navigation. With a customized intelligent cockpit technology and many applications exclusive to China, it aims to meet the actual needs and usage habits of Chinese customers.