Mercedes-Benz provided flights from Detroit to Stuttgart and accommodation so Ars could drive the GLC prototype at its test track. Ars does not accept paid editorial content.
IMMENDINGEN, Germany—The Mercedes-Benz Testing and Technology Center in Immendingen, Germany, isn’t a top-secret facility because of its location. It’s top secret because of what happens on the 520 hectares of land. Its 62-kilometer track is where Mercedes engineers can develop and hone every new vehicle in conditions experienced all around the world. Experiencing those conditions in a prototype is why I was there on an annoyingly rainy day.
After receiving the tour in a new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, I settled into the driving seat of the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology—that’s the electric one. Being a prototype, it was still wearing camouflage, and the interior was covered in black fabric, so I couldn’t see everything. But I was assured that the ride, handling, and performance are all sorted. The infotainment software and interior details are still being finalized.
The upcoming GLC is slightly longer than its gasoline-powered counterpart to accommodate the 94.5 kWh battery pack. Mercedes is estimating 650 kilometers of range on the optimistic WLTP testing cycle. Based on some rough math, 330 miles on the EPA cycle seems about right.