HAUTE WHEELS
Maggy Wang and Natalia posing against the Mercedez-Benz GLC 300 Coupe
Athletic and composed, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupe is the new cool kid on the block. This car segment is a curious niche. It’s a unique combination of an SUV and a sports car introduced merely a decade ago. With the arrival of the GLC 300 Coupe, I can see why it has a strong following. Let’s start with its exterior; the body has a smooth flowing line from the front, elegantly continued with a swooping backline, which creates a strong presence whichever angle you look at it. It just feels like it’s always ready to go.
Once inside, the interior is spacious and you’ll find yourself enveloped by its body-hugging, buttery soft leather seats. With a luxurious combination of chromed details, aluminium inserts, piano black wood centre console, and leather, it is a wonderful tribute to the marquee’s design marvels in the past, oozing sophistication and class. It’s as if Mercedes told its owners, “Yes, you can go fast but it’s better to enjoy the drive rather than rushing it.” It’s a nice place to be in, at any speed you are travelling at.
Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupe SUV drives like a sports car
And now for how’s it like to drive: before setting off, I have five settings of driving preference to choose from, depending on what mood I’m in (Sports Mode with Comfort, please). Manoeuvring in and out of a parking space is an effortless task, courtesy of their Active Parking Assist feature, helping you out in tight spaces. It can even park by itself! No more worrying about dents and scratches. In real world traffic, it feels civilised and composed. The car has an array of safety features that alert drivers of blind spots and on-coming vehicle, as well as auto-dipping mirrors in case we dazzle the cars in front. Having that on the road would surely give you an affirmation and importantly, valuable seconds to react in a sudden situation. When the roads clear up and if you feel like spicing things up a little, you’re in for a treat. The GLC 300 Coupe has an assured, confidence-inspiring, predictable handling, thanks to its 4Matic system and a slightly lowered ride. The drive feels engaged and the speed is brisk but never scary. The car is no slouch, I can tell you that; the grunt is there whenever you want it. The speed will be handy for overtaking in the highway. How astonishing it is for a car that weighs two and a half tonnes to be this quick and nimble.
In short, this car is just exceptional. Beautiful to look at, powerful performance on demand, and versatile. If you’re reading up till this point, chances are you’ve already made a decision and no one can or should object to that.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupe is priced at RM399,888 on-the-road without insurance. www.mercedes-benz.com.my
