Mercedes might have given up on diesel engines in
the United States but its plug-in hybrid lineup continues to grow as the
company has released pricing information for the 2018 GLC 350e.
Car and Driver reports the model will go sale this
summer and a listing on the company's website reveals pricing will start at US$ 49,990. That's US$ 7,940 more than the GLC 300 4MATIC but the crossover is
eligible for a US$ 4,460 federal tax credit which lowers the difference to US$ 3,480.
In return, buyers will receive a nicely equipped
crossover that features LED lighting units, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and
a power liftgate. The model also has privacy glass, a rearview camera, and
18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, drivers will sit behind a
three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and find themselves surrounding by
natural grain brown ash wood trim. Other highlights include a 14-way power
driver seat, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, and an infotainment
system with a 7-inch display.
Power is provided by a plug-in hybrid powertrain
that consists of a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric
motor, and a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup enables the crossover to
produce a combined output of 320 hp and 559 Nm of torque.
In terms of performance, the all-wheel drive model can accelerate from 0-60 mph
in just 6.2 seconds.
Mercedes hasn't released fuel economy data but
the crossover's battery can be recharged in less than 2.5 hours. The model also
has a number of eco-friendly features including a haptic accelerator pedal
which pulses twice in ECO mode to let drivers know they can "save fuel
without reducing performance by letting up on the gas." The GLC also has a
radar-based regenerative braking system which automatically adjusts itself to
recuperate as much energy as possible.
