Mercedes-Benz launches the ‘Made in India’ GLC; adds the 9th product to its local production portfolio

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Mercedes-Benz India now boasts of having the largest ‘Made in India’ portfolio in the luxury car segment | GLC production commences within 4 months of India debut

  • Local production of the GLC will cater to the increasing demand of this bestselling SUV with even higher flexibility in production and considerable reduction in the waiting period
  • Localisation times with the onset of festive season to support increased demand of the GLC
  • Made in India GLC launched in GLC 220 d 4MATIC Style, GLC 220 d 4MATIC Sport and GLC 300 4MATIC Sport variants
  • Outstanding Performance: GLC 220 d – diesel engine produces 170 hp power and 400 Nm of peak torque | GLC 300 – petrol engine churns 245 hp power and 370 Nm of peak torque | Both engines are motorized by the 9G-TRONIC transmission
  • The GLC features permanent 4MATIC all-wheel drive and a DYNAMIC SELECT Controller with 5 driving modes: Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport +, Individual
  • Intelligent lightweight construction: The GLC boasts of the lightest bodyshell in its segment, it is 80 kg lighter than its global predecessor (GLK-Class)
  • GLC Production highlights: Implementation of very high quality checks, Frequency control measurement, X-Road dynamic testing and programming of cars, use of high end technology like EMS transfer, Latest generation PLC controllers and synchronized conveyor system

The GLC 220 d 4MATIC Style is priced at Rs. 47.90 lakhs, the GLC 220 d 4MATIC Sport at Rs.51.50 lakhs and the GLC 300 4MATIC Sport at Rs. 51.90 lakhs (all prices ex-showroom Delhi)

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The country’s largest luxury car manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz today achieved yet another milestone for its world-class manufacturing facility, by adding the ninth product to its local production portfolio in India. By rolling out the GLC SUV from its assembly line, Mercedes-Benz India also becomes the only luxury car manufacturer boasting of the largest locally manufactured product portfolio in India. The GLC was rolled-out of its assembly line by Roland Folger, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India and Piyush Arora, Executive Director, Operations, Mercedes-Benz India.

The locally produced GLC is launched in three variants GLC 220 d 4MATIC Style, GLC 220 d 4MATIC Sport and GLC 300 4MATIC Sport. Pertaining to the increasing demand of the GLC, Mercedes-Benz started the local production within just four months of its India debut in June, 2016. With the introduction of the ‘Made in India’ GLC, Mercedes-Benz bolstered its local production portfolio significantly with nine products rolling-out from its world-class facility in Chakan, Pune.

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Roland Folger, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said: “The GLC with its dynamic design, best-in class technological innovations and luxurious appointments has already established itself as a winning product in our portfolio. We are enthused by the customer response to this dynamic SUV, which has altogether redefined the segment and given the customers a refreshing choice. The GLC has already become one of Mercedes-Benz’s highest selling products, and we are very confident that it will replicate the global success in India as well. With the localization and availability in petrol and diesel, we are confident that the GLC will become an attractive proposition for our discerning buyers with enhanced value propositions and increased availability.”

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Piyush Arora, Executive Director, Operations, Mercedes-Benz India stated: “We are extremely satisfied with our localization strategy, which is pivotal to our long-term success in this dynamic market. The rolling-out of the ‘Made in India’ GLC underscores our positive outlook for the Indian market, as we look forward to introducing more locally produced vehicles depending on future market growth.

A vast majority of our current volume products are now locally made in India, which has been driving immense value to our discerning customers. The highest level of refinement and implementation of advanced technology and flexible processes ensure our production quality conforms to the most stringent global standards, and creates new benchmark in manufacturing for the luxury car industry in India. We are glad to offer the locally made GLC within four months of its India debut and are confident that it will help catering to its overwhelming demand and shorten the waiting period.”

Suave, sporty and reliable: Exteriors The sturdy look of the new GLC showcases the radiator trim and two louvres in matt iridium silver with chrome inserts. The characteristic SUV front with a short, succinct overhang, upright, three-dimensional radiator grille with a twin louvre and centrally positioned brand star follows the successful new design line, striking LED High Performance lamps lend the GLC a self-confident look which is further emphasized by their distinctive design. The side impression is further reinforced by the gently sloping dropping line which is a hallmark of the brand and with its powerful shoulders. The rising lower feature line also enlivens the vehicle’s side view. The rear is characterized by the broad, muscular shoulders, the horizontal orientation of the contour lines and the split LED rear lamps featuring a distinctive night design. The exterior exudes true SUV character with striking aluminium look running boards with rubber studs. The GLC sports 45.7 cm (18-inch) 5-spoke alloy wheels that further enhance the sporty appeal of the SUV.

Interiors The GLC has trendsetting interiors, which reinterprets the meaning of luxury to exciting effect. The interior of the locally produced GLC Sport features large areas of trim in high-gloss brown line structure lime wood trim and numerous details in silver chrome. The exclusive locally produced GLC Sport further surprises its customers with a Panorama top sliding electric roof, storage package including lockable cargo floor, 12 V plug socket, ambient lighting with 3 color options, Door sill panels with illuminated “Mercedes-Benz” lettering, a leather-covered panel, Keyless-starting function, sun blinds in rear seats and Active Parking Assistance with reversing camera.

The comfortably spacious GLC has plenty of room for five occupants. The new aesthetic design idiom of Mercedes-Benz combines sensual purity with dynamic sportiness and embodies a new interpretation of modern luxury. The GLC is the latest product in India to embody this new design language. The GLC’s interior conjures up the feel-good atmosphere which is a brand hallmark courtesy of highclass materials featuring a hand-crafted character, such as ARTICO leather and high-gloss brown line structure lime wood trim, meticulously finished details and an appealing overall touch and feel. Last but not the least, substantially more space is available for occupants and luggage. Cargo bars are present behind the rear seat backrest to enlarge the luggage compartment by 30 litres.

Exhilarating Power and Performance:

Technical Specification GLC 300 4MATIC GLC 220 d 4MATIC
Displacement (bore x stroke) cc 1991 2143
Rated output kW (hp) 180 (245) @ 5500 125 (170) @ 3000-4200
Torque (Nm) @ rpm 370 @ 1300 – 4000 400 @ 1400 – 2800
Maximum speed (km/h) 222 210
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) 6.5 8.3
Tyre size

235/60 R18

Cost of ownership for the locally produced GLC:
The GLC comes with affordable and convenient service packages. Based on the consumers’ needs and preferences, service packages of various age & mileages are introduced. The Compact service packages start at just Rs. 63,000 for the petrol variant and Rs. 78,000 for the diesel variant. These new Compact packages are offered with unlimited mileage (a first in the luxury car segment) covering maintenance related jobs. These customer focused packages offering various options and flexibility, can last up to 10 years from the date of sale, for a hassle free ownership experience. Also, in addition to the standard warranty, customers can avail extended warranty for 4th year at a price of Rs. 120,000. These customer focused packages offering various options and flexibility, can last up to 10 years from the date of sale, for a hassle free ownership experience.

Key Product highlights:

Driving dynamics:

  • 9-G TRONIC: 9-Speed Automatic Transmission
  • DYNAMIC SELECT Controller with 5 modes: Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport +, Individual
  • Individual driving style: Adjustment of parameters such as engine, transmission, steering, climate control or the ECO start/stop function
  • Off-Road exterior with suspension for higher ground clearance
  • 4MATIC permanent All-Wheel-Drive System
  • Direct-Steer system with speed-sensitive power assist and variable steering ratio

Infotainment:

  • NTG 5*2 Audio 20 CD with Pre-installation for Navigation
  • Touchpad: Intuitive operation by finger gesture
  • 7 inch colour media display
  • MB Apps with internet connectivity

Comfort & Convenience:

  • Panoramic sliding sunroof
  • THERMATIC climate control
  • Reverse Camera with Active Park assist
  • Ambient lighting with three colours and five dimming levels for the desired lighting mood
  • Cargo bars behind the rear seat backrest to enlarge the luggage compartment by 30 litres

Safety and assistance systems: The GLC has achieved five stars for occupant safety, child safety, pedestrian protection and its assistance systems, giving it the maximum score in the Euro NCAP rating. The basis for this outstanding result is the perfect interaction between active and passive safety: the combination of a highly rigid safety passenger cell, highly effective restraint systems, the latest driver assistance systems and other measures leads to first-class test results.
 ESP® Curve Dynamic Assist  LED High Performance Headlamps  Crosswind assist  PRE-SAFE®  Attention Assist  Reversing camera with dynamic guidelines  Active Parking Assist  Adaptive brake lights  Dual front airbags, Front side airbags, Curtain airbags and driver kneebag (7 overall)  Tyre pressure monitoring system

Production highlights of the GLC: The GLC production involves the use of latest technology in Mercedes-Benz India’s world class production facility. The production uses technologically advanced synchronized conveyor systems, use of latest generation PLC control units for all equipment which provide adaptability with different models on common production lines, thus increasing the flexibility of the production. Standard processes from across the value chain right through the finished car production are followed under stringent quality environment.
The use of advanced technology enabled processes like EMS–Transfer, production lines with latest generation controllers, X-road–Dynamic testing and programming of cars, frequency controlled measurements for accuracy, shower testing cabin–for simulation of real rain test, high pressure jets and dynamic movement of cars etc. are all benchmark and helps deliver the highest quality products that roll out of the assembly lines from the Mercedes-Benz production facility in Chakan.

About the Mercedes-Benz Pune plant The Mercedes-Benz Pune plant is located about 150 km south-east of Mumbai and is part of the global assembly network of Mercedes-Benz. This network also includes the production facilities in Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. At these locations, Mercedes-Benz produces vehicles in various extension levels for local markets.