GIIAS 2015: Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Makes Indonesia First ASEAN Destination

Ah, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class: finally, a right-hand drive Benz mobile fit for a fight with the likes of the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5.

Taking over from the GLK-Class which was only a left-hand drive model, Mercedes-Benz is bringing the fight to our RHD ASEAN countries, and it starts now. Mercedes-Benz has seemingly picked the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show for its debut in the region, which comes barely a month after the car’s global premiere.

Back to the car itself, and yes, this one’s an X3-, Q5-fighter. A GLC-Class Coupe is also expected to come, but the world will have to wait a little bit longer for that one.

What we’re looking at here in Indonesia is a GLC-Class GLC 250, of which there are two variants, priced from Rp 1,099,000,000 to 999,000,000 Indonesian Rupiah (RM325,852 to RM296,202 when directly converted).

Powering the GLC 250 is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 211hp and 350Nm of torque when paired with its brand-new 9G-TRONIC nine-speed torque converter automatic transmission – the M 274 engine here is similar to what you’d get from the Malaysian C 250 and E 250, but the 9G-TRONIC is a new addition standard to all GLC-Class variants.

Inside the car, the interior highly resembles what you’d get from the latest-gen W 205 C-Class, something also shared between the two, on top of the common platform.

We know that Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is planning to introduce a tidal wave of SUVs in 2016, and the GLC-Class is a sure feature. We can’t say for sure in which variants they’ll have it here, and now that the diesel quality at the pumps has improved, we probably shouldn’t expect them to stick to just the GLC 250 petrol versions.

Internationally, the GLC-Class was launched in a total of four variants: GLC 220 d 4MATIC, GLC 250 d 4MATIC, GLC 250 4MATIC, and GLC 350 e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid.