New Mercedes GLC EV to light the way with huge illuminated grille
Mercedes will light up the IAA motor show with its all-new electric GLC, and what could be its illuminated new grille
It’s official: Mercedes will reveal the all-new GLC with EQ Technology at this year’s IAA Munich motor show. And the company might also have given us a clue about one of the car’s more dramatic design elements: a large and brightly illuminated front grille.
The firm’s motor show preview includes an image that shows a typical three-pointed star inside a traditionally shaped Mercedes grille. This is then illuminated by lots of small squares, not dissimilar to the glowing stars in the new CLA. We don’t yet know if we will see this type of grille on the all-new GLC, but it wouldn’t be the first time that Mercedes has lit up a grille on a new-age model, so don’t bet against it.
The GLC will have a tough job stealing all the limelight at its official debut, though, because its arch-rival, BMW’s iX3, will also be revealed in Munich. We expect it to be a little while before the new Mercedes goes on sale in the UK, arriving in mid-2026. When it does, we anticipate that it will be priced in line with other rivals such as the Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan, from around £60,000.
Previous prototype images have revealed the GLC’s other design elements will probably be a little more conservative than an illuminated grille, though. These include headlights that are smaller and lower-set, in keeping with the existing combustion-powered models.
The bonnet will also be longer, creating a more traditional two-box design than the larger EQE and EQS SUVs have.
If you’re in the market for a big German EV, check out the Auto Express Find A Car for the best deals around…
Despite being called GLC, this new electric variant will not replace the existing combustion-powered model, but rather sit alongside it in the range. The car it does replace is Merc’s first mass-produced EV, the EQC, which was launched in 2019.
The GLC with EQ Technology will share very little with its combustion-engined sibling and instead uses a bespoke EV chassis. This is rumoured to be based on Mercedes’ new MB.EA architecture, which will also underpin a new all-electric C-Class.
This platform would give the new GLC a more efficient base than that used by the first-generation model, and allow it to use more advanced battery packs and electric motors. It’s also expected to feature an 800V electrical architecture, like the Porsche Macan Electric, which would help with both charging and performance.
The result should be a substantial improvement on the former EQC’s 255-mile range. That old model was only available in one specification, with dual motors and all-wheel drive as standard. However, single-motor variants may serve as the entry point to the new electric GLC range, as is the case with the Mercedes EQE SUV, and the recently facelifted EQA and EQB.
Much of the line-up will still feature dual motors, especially the hot AMG version we’ve previously spied. The Mercedes-AMG GLCs also featured a bulging bonnet, an aggressive front bumper and large ventilated brake discs that sit behind bigger wheels.
AMG is sure to have made some tweaks to the chassis and lowered the ride height as well. The heavy camouflage conceals any additional styling changes, but the front end will probably feature some vertical struts to evoke the ‘Panamericana’ grille on AMG’S combustion-engined cars.
The new GLC will also introduce a new generation of Mercedes digital interfaces and interior design, and will be optimised to seat five passengers.
Looking to buy a new or used Mercedes? Check out our latest deals...
Find a car with the experts
