Compared with the ICE GLC, it has more leg room in the front and rear and increased head room, plus it offers a 570-litre boot and large 128-litre frunk.
While the GLC EQ will be offered with five different power outputs, it will arrive first in range-topping 400 form, with 483bhp. This features a dual-motor powertrain, including a new permanent magnet synchronous motor on the rear axle and a new front motor that can disconnect when not required.
It also uses a two-speed gearbox, featuring gears with 11:1 and 5:1 ratios to maximise both acceleration and efficiency.
Källenius said that the rear bias of the powertrain is “desirable for any car that is somewhat focused on performance, and you get that for free with an EV”.
Power is drawn from a sizeable 94kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery, which gives the GLC 400 EQ a claimed range of more than 435 miles.
Because of the 800V system, the battery can be charged at speeds of up to 330kW. As with the new CLA EQ, a DC converter will be offered “on a country-specific basis” to allow use of 400V public chargers – the most common type.
The suspension is a multi-link set-up both front and rear. Optional air suspension can lower the car on faster roads to reduce drag and consequently boost range, while optional rear-wheel steering reduces the car’s turning circle of 11.2m.
