[Yenn]

Keeping pace with the industry will Mercedes will Hybridize the GLC shortly after launch. They plan to call it the GLE 350e and give it the same 211 hp 2.0 Turbo 4 cylinder hooked to a 60kW electric motor. All courtesy the W205 C-Class.

Four Mercedes novelties at the Frankfurt Motor Show, including the new Mercedes GLC - MercedesBlog

The GLC will be one of the 10 Mercedes models in the next three years to get a Plug-In Hybrid version, which will combine the 2-liter 211 HP turbo engine with an 60 kW electric engine.

 

[CRNCYX]

Smart move since that's the trend throughout the industry, doing this now they're getting in early although in the end they might end up having the best selling hybrid in this segment

 

[Yenn]

I'm wondering if this is more designed to meet Chinese Consumption Tax laws. At 2.0L they add 9% tax, at 4L it jumps to 40%. PHEV's may help them sell large vehicles into the market without suffering from sluggish underpowered engines or prohibitive taxes...

 

[CRNCYX]

That would be a prime motivator for selling as they do play a key role with these vehicles.

 

[Pavel]

I'm wondering if this is more designed to meet Chinese Consumption Tax laws. At 2.0L they add 9% tax, at 4L it jumps to 40%. PHEV's may help them sell large vehicles into the market without suffering from sluggish underpowered engines or prohibitive taxes...

That would also align with the goals of the Chinese government. They are trying to put more fuel efficient cars on the road, but they want to change car company behaviour instead of consumer behaviour. That means taxes and not subsidies.

 

[Yenn]

That would also align with the goals of the Chinese government. They are trying to put more fuel efficient cars on the road, but they want to change car company behaviour instead of consumer behaviour. That means taxes and not subsidies.

Not quite. They forego subsides because China is not an equal driving nation. If you want to drive you must win the right in a licencing lottery, especially in the bigger cities. Its extremely poor PR to offer a subside to all citizens seeking efficiency but then limit the amount of citizens allowed to take part.

China's problem isn't vehicle emissions, its unregulated manufacturing. So long as we think cars are the problem we'll continue to miss the point again and again.

 

[CRNCYX]

Too many pockets being heavily lined to care about the manufacturing issue

 

[Dr.G]

Will this feature the same hybrid powertrain as the Mercedes C-Class wagon hybrid?

 

[NeedForSpeed]

Not sure if that is indeed the plugin hybrid but a video has been posted claiming that the GLC Coupé has been spotted.

 

[Karl]

The coupe won't be a plug in hybrid. It's supposed to share the GLC regular SUV's engine line-up.

 

[Pavel]

Will it get the fuel cell version though?