First Drive: 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d Prototype Review Car News

There’s also a new multifunction steering wheel with a combination of touchpads and traditional button-based controls as well as digital instruments and portrait-style information displays.

Together, they give the GLC a much more contemporary interior look. There is a distinct lack of physical controls. There’s also a superior aura of perceived quality, even on this first pre-prototype. Other changes were made to the front seats. They feature new construction and upholstery materials, providing increased comfort in the seat and better support in the upholstery.

Scheduled to see sale in the UK towards the end of the year, the 2022 GLC SUV will kick off sales with a range of four-cylinder engines featuring mild-hybrid properties via a new 48-volt in-built starter generator. Included are the gasoline-powered GLC200 and GLC300 as well as the diesel-side GLC220d and GLC 300d.

The GLC400d is also planned – the only new GLC model to feature a six-cylinder engine. As with smaller four-cylinder engines, it benefits from the new 48-volt on-board starter generator, which provides a momentary boost of 22 hp and 147 lb-ft of torque for increased acceleration capability and features such as motor coasting for increased efficiency.

Details of which engines will be available in the UK have yet to be revealed, although Mercedes-Benz reveals there will be a combination of rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive 4Matic GLC models.

There are also a trio of newly developed plug-in hybrid drivetrains in the 300e and 400e petrol-electric as well as the 300de. Using a new liquid-cooled battery with an energy content of 25.4kWh and 108 individual cells, they are said to deliver a significantly improved electric range of over 62 miles.

Autocar can also confirm that successors to the GLC43 and GLC63 from Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance car division are set to launch in 2023, both featuring the same four-cylinder petrol engines planned for the upcoming C43 and C63. .