Mercedes-Benz has quietly done the thing it always does when the world isn’t looking: replaced something perfectly sensible with something electric, shiny, and slightly smug about it.

This is the new all-electric GLC 250 from Mercedes-Benz — and yes, it’s already available to order. Prices start at £55,495 in Sport trim, which in today’s market is basically “mid-spec hatchback money” if you squint hard enough and ignore reality.

It’s built in Bremen, running in full three-shift production, which is German for “we are very serious about this indeed.” And people are buying it — more than any other EV the company has ever launched at this stage, apparently.

Underneath, you get 354 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and a 0–62 mph time of 5.9 seconds. Range is up to 389 miles, which means you can realistically cross half of Britain before needing to stop and contemplate your life choices at a 320 kW charger for 22 minutes.

It’s also got air suspension, rear-axle steering, and enough screens inside to make a small tech startup weep. Optional Hyperscreen included, for those who feel a normal dashboard isn’t quite “digital enough”.

So yes: it’s on sale now, it’s not cheap, and it’s very, very clever. Which is exactly the point.