Mercedes-Benz has opened orders for its all-electric GLC in the UK, priced from £60,350. Offered in five trims – Sport, AMG Line, AMG Line Premium, AMG Line Premium Plus and Premier Edition – it’s the first in a new generation of Mercedes EVs that blend performance, efficiency and digital luxury in a new anodyne package.

The launch model, the GLC 400 4MATIC, gets twin motors for 489hp, all-wheel drive and 0–62mph in 4.3 seconds. Its 94kWh battery delivers up to 406 miles of range and supports 330kW DC charging, meaning ultra-rapid top-ups are possible at 800-volt stations. Systems like a multi-source heat pump and a new One-Box brake system should boost efficiency, and the regenerative braking is so strong that the hydraulic brakes are rarely needed.

Dynamic options include AIRMATIC air suspension, rear-axle steering and a Refinement Package that uses live cloud data to optimise ride height and efficiency. Safety tech is typically comprehensive, with PRE-SAFE, DISTRONIC adaptive cruise, Active Lane Keeping Assist and optional MB.DRIVE ASSIST for semi-autonomous driving..

Inside, the GLC goes fully digital with the MBUX SUPERSCREEN or optional 39.1-inch HYPERSCREEN, powered by the brand’s new MB.OS operating system.

A Vegan Society-certified interior, panoramic roof with illuminated stars and sustainable materials underline its eco-luxury ethos.

Longer, apparently roomier and smarter than before, the electric GLC offers up to 1,690 litres of load space, a 128-litre frunk and a 2.4-tonne towing capacity.