• Plug-in hybrid, locally-assembled at Pekan
• Priced from RM 374,073 without SST, and RM 398,888 with SST (1-July onwards)
• Makes 320 PS and 700 Nm, with 39 - 43 km electric drive range

If the looks don't drop jaws then the power figures probably will. You'll have both with the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e Coupe (C253) plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that's just been launched in Malaysia today. 

So it’s not a latest generation GLC Coupe (globally, there is no C254 yet) but you will still want to pay attention to this, because this is a locally-assembled (CKD) RM 374,073 (without SST) plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant,  and makes a lot more power than the regular GLC 300 Coupe, which is also CKD-ed at Pekan (from RM 403,536, without SST).

The launch took place at Hap Seng Star Setia Alam; the brand's newest Autohaus.

Plug-in hybrid power 

Where the regular GLC 300 Coupe makes 258 PS from its 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, this plug-in hybrid 300e variant makes a total system output of 320 PS and 700 Nm – 211 PS and 350 Nm from the combustion engine, 122 PS (90 kW) and 440 Nm from the electric motor nestled between the same 4-cylinder engine and the 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.

There’s enough grunt for the GLC 300e Coupe to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz says this GLC 300e Coupe is running on its latest third generation plug-in hybrid technology, which compared to the second generation-tech W205 C350e, has been upgraded to work with the 9-speed automatic transmission (W205 C350e used 7G-Tronic).

It also says the biggest difference between the GLC 300e Coupe’s PHEV drivetrain and the previous C350e’s is the on-demand starter and rotor cooling, which allows use of the electric motor's peak and continuous output without any problems.

There’s also an additional clutch between the combustion engine and electric motor for all-electric driving, while the transmission’s torque converter now has an integrated lock-up clutch as a starting device.

The new third generation PHEV’s on-board charger is comparable to a battery EV, capable of accepting up to 7.4 kW of power, meaning that it can be recharge the 13.5 kWh battery in just 1.5 hours (when using a suitably high capacity wallbox).

Unlike previous Mercedes-Benz PHEV models, this GLC 300e Coupe comes standard with a Mode 2 cable that you can plug in to a regular 3-pin domestic socket, capable of up to 1.8 kW (230V, single phase, 8A).

The claimed electric-only driving range is around 39 to 43 km (WTLP test cycle), while claimed fuel consumption is between 2.2- to 2.5-litre/100 km (WLTP test cycle).

AMG dynamics inside and out

On the outside it's decked with the AMG kit, which includes the diamond radiator grille with silver pins, a twin-exit exhaust system, running boards along the side, and 20-inch tremolite grey AMG wheels. Perforated front brakes hide behind them; a new addition to the GLC 300e.

If it sits a little high, then that's to be expected because it has suspension with higher ground clearance. Should make the coupe-SUV a little more usable then.

Your road ahead is illuminated by Multibeam LED headlights, which also features adaptive highbeam assist and the road-hogger blinding Ultra Range highbeam. The rears are typical combination LED units.

Stepping into it there's Artico leather seats all around, AMG flat-bottomed steering wheel and Thermatic dual-zone air-cond. Speaking of seats, the front pair are both electronically adjustable with memory function too.

Ambient lighting is of course, standard, and so is the 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument cluster. Infotainment is handled by a 7-inch Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system paired to a Burmester surround sound system.

There's also a panoramic sunroof, as well as hands-free access to the 350-litre boot (380-litre if including the false floor) - slightly smaller than the regular car's 500-litre boot.

Safety-wise, this comes with Active Brake Assist, the Pre-Safe pre-collision system, Blind Spot Assist, and Active Lane Keeping Assist. 

Pricing and aftersales

The CKD Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e Coupe is priced at RM 374,073 without SST, RM 398,888 with SST (after 1-July). The GLC 300e Coupe is backed by a 4-year, unlimited mileage warranty.