NZ provision yet to be announced.

A PAIR of powerful electric-assisted powertrains offering up to 120kms’ battery-pure driving features in the new generation of Mercedes GLC sports utility.

While Mercedes Benz here has yet to spell out its intent for the new-generation car, which unveiled overnight, media in Australia are already suggesting several pure petrol editions might be retained. As that market is all but conjoined with ours, the same might apply. For it’s part, the Auckland-based NZ side of the operation says: “At this early stage we can confirm that the new GLC will arrive in New Zealand during 2023. More information about drivetrains and specifications will be available closer to the local launch.”

What is clear is that, as with the C-Class sedan from which it derives, the new car will format just with four-cylinder powerplants; six and eight cylinder engines having been ditched.

The span of mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants has won interest in the United Kingdom. The new PHEVs, badged GLC 300e and GLC 400e have a much longer electric range than hybrids in the outgoing family - up to 120km for all versions in fact.

Australian media believe the current GLC 200 and GLC 300 petrol options will be retained.

Technology highlights include optional rear-wheel steering, Digital Light matrix headlights, optional air suspension and additional driving assistance aids.

On the outside, the GLC doesn't look massively different to the outgoing model, but no panels are shared and it is 60mm longer than the outgoing version, with commensurate increases in interior space. The boot grows by 50 litres to 600 litres. The body is more aerodynamic, with a coefficient of drag figure of just 0.29.

Inside, the GLC borrows has the same 12.3-inch digital screen for the instruments as the latest C-Class sedan and a 11.9-inch iPad-like screen on the centre console. The distinctive three-abreast round air vents of the outgoing model are retained. In Europe the audio provision includes a clever 'Newsflash' function, which uses the 'Hey, Mercedes' digital voice assistant to give you a quick two-minute news roundup should you ask for it.

GLC achieves new four-link front suspension setup, with a multi-link rear and can be optionally fitted with Airmatic air suspension. There's also the option of rear-wheel steering, which turns the back wheels by as much as 4.5 degrees, cutting the turning circle to just under 11 metres.

Active cruise control, active and emergency steering assistance, a parking assistant with a 360-degree camera system and a new trailer assistance setup feature.

The GLC 200 and GLC 300 are powered by a common 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing up to 152kW in the first and 192kW in the second. These models achieve standard-fit 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance.

The GLC 300e uses the 200's 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, allied to 100kW electric motor for a combined 233kW. The plug-in hybrid model get a 31kWh battery pack.

The GLC 400e uses a 252hp 2.0-litre turbo petrol, plus the same motor and battery, to provide 284kW.

Both PHEVs are said to be capable of 120kms’ EV range and they get new software that is claimed to more accurately predicts how much range is left in the battery, taking into account local conditions.

Some 2.6 million examples of the GLC have already been built and it has been the best-selling Mercedes-Benz model for the last two years.