► We ride in and drive a pre-production GLC EV
► All-new EV to run alongside combustion GLC
► Electric C-Class just weeks behind GLC EV
Mercedes revealed the GLC EV at the 2025 Munich motor show, and it has to be one of Stuttgart’s most significant releases for a while. It’s a hugely significant car for Mercedes, not only because the GLC was its top seller in 2024, but also because the car debuts fresh technology and introduces a new strategy.
It replaces the EQC, which has already gone out of production. Although it wears a GLC badge and has a lot of crossover with the combustion-engined car, it sits on a different platform. The same ‘no compromise’ approach will be taken by the new electric C-Class that has also been teased at the same show. That’ll arrive in a couple of years.
But well before Munich, we had drive of the pre-production car at a test track.
What’s it like to ride in?
On the road, driven by Mercedes boss Ola Källenius, the car is smooth, refined, rapid when asked, and remarkably similar to the combustion GLC – just quieter.
We got our chance to drive it on the Einfahrbahn test track at the Sindelfingen plant, and found it to have responsive and nicely weighted steering, excellent stability from the air suspension and rewarding acceleration when you floor the throttle.
Deceleration is also seamless – you don’t spot the transition between systems. There are Sport and Eco powertrain modes as well as the very agreeable default Normal.
It will initially be made at the Bremen factory in Germany, but is expected to also be produced in China, and Merc’s Tuscaloosa factory in the USA is also a possibility.
Kallenius said: ‘I’m ever so slightly biased, but I think it’s a fantastic addition to our portfolio. If electric sceptics would take a couple of hours to drive it, they couldn’t not be thrilled.’
