The Mercedes GLC EV marks a new era in Mercedes’ history not only because it is built on an entirely new platform, MB.EA, but also because it debuts new technologies, an original design, and fresh options.
We can say that with the new Mercedes GLC EV, the true electric era begins for Mercedes: an 800V platform with ultra-fast charging, an all-new drivetrain, new design, and new options. Let’s go through them one by one and see the 10 main highlights.
1. The Radiator Grille
The third-generation Mercedes GLC comes with a completely new grille featuring world class technologies. It is defined by four main elements: a large chrome frame, an optional light strip surrounding the grille, a smoked-glass imitation at the bottom, and three slats with two air vents between them integrating 942 polycarbonate dots illuminated from behind. The Mercedes logo is embedded in the slats and can also be illuminated as an option.
2. The Frunk
The Mercedes GLC EV has the largest frunk among electric models, with 128 liters (100 liters according to ISO 3832). It can store not only charging cables but also two travel bags, as the cables may also be stored in the spacious compartment beneath the trunk floor, which is movable in height by 8 cm.
Unique detail: the hood granting access to the frunk opens by pressing the Mercedes logo on the hood. It also features a locking system so it can only be opened by the vehicle’s owner.
3. The MBUX System
The new MBUX system has a wide 99.3 cm screen in the top version stretching across the entire width of the dashboard, integrating the side air vents. The displays provide exceptional clarity, illuminated from behind by over 1,000 individual LEDs.
In the base version, there are two displays: a 10.3-inch screen for the digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch screen for the multimedia system, and a digitally animated trim panel instead of a passenger display — all grouped under one glass surface.
In the second version, Superscreen, in addition to the 10.3-inch display for the digital instrument cluster and the 14-inch display for the multimedia system, there is also a 14-inch passenger display, but the three displays are separate, grouped under the same glass panel.
In the top version, Hyperscreen, there is a single giant 99.3-cm screen.
The MBUX system offers several atmospheric background motifs in different styles—from calm to intense, cold to warm, technical to emotional. Depending on the theme, the digital instrument cluster colors and ambient lighting adapt. The brightness of two display zones can also be adjusted with sliders.
4. The Sky Control Panoramic Roof
An optional laminated, heat-insulated panoramic glass roof is available, with adjustable opacity ranging from transparent to opaque, divided into nine sections. A total of 162 stars are integrated into the glass surface and can be illuminated in any of the 64 ambient lighting colors.
5. Terrain Mode
The Terrain Mode program allows the car to tackle rough terrain, keeping the front motor permanently engaged to ensure full-time all-wheel drive. In other driving modes, the front motor activates only when extra power or grip is needed. Steering, braking, and motor response are adapted for off-road use. If equipped with optional Digital Light headlights, off-road lights activate, offering wider illumination.
Like the combustion-engine GLC, the GLC EV features the transparent hood function with a 360-degree camera. This allows the driver to see images of the terrain ahead—and even under the car—on the multimedia display by combining footage from the front camera and the two mirror cameras.
6. Vegan Interior Package
Mercedes claims to be the world’s first manufacturer to offer a 100% vegan-certified interior verified by an independent organization. This organization tested all soft materials in the optional Vegan package—from seat upholstery to headliner, door panels, and floor mats. After testing, The Vegan Society, founded on November 1, 1944, confirmed that no animal-derived products are present in the textiles or in the Artico artificial leather upholstery.
7. The MB.OS Brain
The MB.OS operating system was developed in-house by Mercedes and uses technology and AI from Google, ChatGPT, and Microsoft, while navigation is powered by Google Maps. It employs extremely powerful processors and is connected to the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud, capable of processing up to 254 trillion operations per second, and supports over-the-air updates.
8. The Drivetrain
The suspension is entirely new and very sophisticated, with five links at the rear axle and four at the front. To eliminate vibrations, the front and rear motors are mounted on a subframe elastically attached to the body. Optionally, air suspension and rear-wheel steering—borrowed from the S-Class—are available. At speeds up to 60 km/h, the rear wheels turn opposite to the front ones by 4.5°, while above 60 km/h, they turn in the same direction by 2.5°.
9. The One-Box Braking System
The nightmare from EQE/EQS is over. In those models, the brake pedal feel was inconsistent when transitioning from regenerative to mechanical braking. The new “one-box” braking system, developed by ZF, integrates the brake booster, master cylinder, and ESP unit into a single compact module. Regenerative braking has four levels, with a maximum of 300 kW.
10. The Rear PSM Electric Motor
The Mercedes GLC 400 4Matic is equipped with an in-house developed rear permanent magnet synchronous motor (PSM) paired with a two-speed automatic gearbox (ratios: 11:1 for first gear and 5:1 for second).
