Rahul Somvanshi
Mercedes-Benz is bringing an all-electric GLC SUV to market for 2026, and early prototype drives in Sweden reveal it’s shaping up well. This new electric vehicle will ride on Mercedes’ dedicated MB.EA platform rather than sharing architecture with gas-powered models.
Ice-Tested Performance
When tested on Sweden’s frozen roads, the electric GLC showed exceptional traction control. Unlike many vehicles that cut power completely in slippery conditions, the GLC intelligently modulates output—reducing power on glassy ice sections while quickly restoring full acceleration when grip returns.
“Within 30 seconds, I had my foot flat to the floor, and I, along with a wide-eyed development engineer, were flying down an ice-covered trail bisecting a birch tree stand,” reported one test driver. The vehicle’s stability systems kept everything tracking “smoothly and cleanly between the trees.”
Technical Specifications
The prototype features dual motors in an all-wheel-drive configuration. The front motor includes a physical disconnect to reduce drag when not needed. Mercedes engineers have outfitted the GLC EV with:
- A 94.5-kWh battery pack
- 800-volt electrical architecture
- Charging capability up to 320 kW
- Expected range over 400 miles on the European WLTP cycle (over 300 miles EPA)
- Approximate power output of 483 horsepower
- Two-speed transmission at the rear axle
The new battery chemistry reduces cobalt content while increasing energy density. This means more miles per pound of battery compared to current Mercedes EVs.
Comfort and Convenience
The electric GLC includes an advanced heat pump system that “will warm the cabin using just one-third the energy of a traditional HVAC setup,” according to the source material. The system absorbs thermal energy from both ambient air and the car’s internal systems.
Mercedes has also implemented a unique braking system. The brake pedal provides simulated rather than hydraulic resistance, making it feel like “a sim-racing pedal set.” The system determines how much deceleration can come from the electric motors’ regeneration and seamlessly engages physical brakes when needed.
One test driver noted: “In practice, it works brilliantly. The car stops smoothly and cleanly, and there’s none of the occasional uneven braking that you get when stomping hard on the stop pedal in an EV.”
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Design and Practicality
Recent spy photos show prototypes with less camouflage, revealing smoother body sides, pronounced hip areas, and what appears to be a traditional-style Mercedes grille rising above the headlight line. The vehicle will feature the brand’s new star-shaped daytime running lights at the front.
The electric GLC sits on a platform that’s slightly longer than the gas version, creating room for the battery pack and increasing rear-seat legroom. One six-foot-two tester reported “ample” legroom in back. The flat floor allows passengers to “comfortably tuck our feet under the front seat.”
A panoramic glass roof adds to the spacious feel, and there’s a four-cubic-foot frunk under the hood.
Market Position and Timeline
The electric GLC is scheduled to debut at the IAA auto show in Munich this September, with production likely starting in 2026. It will compete directly with BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse iX3.
While pricing hasn’t been announced, it’s expected to start above the current plug-in hybrid GLC350e, which tops out at $65,200 in its loaded Pinnacle trim.
Christoph Starzynski, Vice President of Overall Vehicle Development & Integration at Mercedes-Benz Group AG, described the new electric GLC as “a car without compromises” that has “demonstrated its reliability and robustness during winter testing in Sweden.”
The electric GLC will join at least 17 other new EVs that Mercedes plans to launch over the next few years.
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