On June 5, 2026, Mercedes-Benz officially launched pre-sales in the Chinese market for a key all-electric model: the locally produced, all-new all-electric GLC SUV. The pre-sale guide price for the five-seat "Golden Edition" starts at RMB 349,000. Built on the MB.EA dedicated EV platform—rather than being a converted internal combustion engine model—this mid-size luxury electric SUV features a wheelbase extended specifically for the Chinese market, balancing global design concepts with local consumer needs. It offers a maximum CLTC range of 703 km and comes standard with an 800V high-voltage fast-charging architecture. Available in both five-seat and six-seat configurations, this vehicle is a core model in Mercedes-Benz's push into the global luxury electric SUV segment, competing directly with rivals such as the BMW iX3 and Audi Q5 e-tron.
The vehicle adopts the design language of Mercedes-Benz's latest all-electric family. The front end is visually anchored by a signature retro-style, shield-shaped illuminated grille. Inside the grille, 942 independently controllable polycarbonate backlit elements create a segmented, flowing light effect, while an illuminated three-pointed star emblem sits at the center. The design pays homage to the classic wide grille of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3, blending retro nostalgia with new-energy technology. The headlight clusters incorporate star-shaped light sources, and both the front and rear lights feature structures based on the three-pointed star motif. The rear includes a full-width LED light strip and a hidden exhaust design that reinforces its all-electric identity, while an aerodynamic diffuser in the rear bumper optimizes the vehicle's drag performance. According to the 403rd Public Notice of Motor Vehicle Products issued by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)—as well as information submitted for the New Energy Vehicle Tax Exemption Catalog—the domestically produced, all-electric version of the GLC offers two distinct exterior dimension configurations (differing from the standard-wheelbase overseas version). The vehicle measures 4949 (4933) mm in length, 1970 (1914) mm in width, and 1710 (1690) mm in height, with a fixed wheelbase of 3027 mm. Compared to the original overseas version—which features a 2972 mm wheelbase—this model has seen its wheelbase extended by 55 mm and its overall body length increased by over 100 mm.
This represents a long-wheelbase optimization scheme exclusive to the Chinese market, pushing the vehicle's dimensions to the level of a mid-to-large-sized SUV; consequently, it has been dubbed by industry insiders as the "largest GLC in history." The new vehicle comes standard across all trims with a fixed panoramic "Starry Sky" glass roof, while the factory offers a selection of optional aluminum alloy wheel designs in various specifications. The exterior paint palette is categorized into three main themes—the elegant "Morandi" series, the color-shifting "Light Luxury" series, and the classic Black and White series—comprising a total of nine color options designed to satisfy the diverse aesthetic preferences of global consumers. Additionally, the front of the vehicle features a 128-liter "frunk" (front trunk) for storage, while the rear trunk offers a standard capacity of 570 liters, effectively balancing the practical storage needs inherent to all-electric vehicle designs (storage parameters as officially filed with the MIIT).
The interior design continues Mercedes-Benz's tradition of flagship-level luxury cabins. The center console features a seamless, integrated 39.1-inch "Superscreen" display unit. This screen incorporates 1,000 independently zoned LED backlighting units, with the three constituent screens collectively forming the vehicle's digital interaction hub. This setup is complemented by an AR-HUD (Augmented Reality Head-Up Display) system. The vehicle's infotainment system is powered by a localized, custom-built virtual intelligent assistant named "Xiao Ben." This assistant integrates the "Doubao" large AI model with the iFlytek intelligent voice system, supporting natural-language interaction across multiple languages and dialects to cater to the usage habits of both domestic and international users. Standard features include wireless charging for front-row mobile phones, dual-position cup holders, and other practical amenities.
The seating configuration stands out as a core highlight of this new model's localization strategy. While the initial model filed with the MIIT was a five-seater version, Mercedes-Benz's official pre-sales campaign simultaneously introduced two cabin options: a five-seater layout and a six-seater layout. The six-seater variant features independent "aviation-style" seats in the second row, while heating, ventilation, and massage functions for the seats are available as optional upgrades across the entire model range. Customers who place an order between now and the official launch date of the new vehicle are eligible for a complimentary upgrade to two premium factory-installed optional features:
Premium Multifunction Seats: An upgrade for all seats in the vehicle, featuring heating, ventilation, and a full-body, multi-point massage function.
Burmester 4D Surround Sound System: An upgrade from the standard configuration to a 4D stereo system comprising 19 speakers and two seat transducers, delivering an immersive listening experience where sound is synchronized with seat vibrations.
In addition, Mercedes-Benz has introduced six curated factory option packages. Vehicles configured with these packages will be available for rapid delivery immediately upon the model's market launch, thereby significantly shortening the waiting period for customers to take delivery of their cars.
3.1 Powertrain Hardware
According to data from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the vehicle—designated as the GLC 350 L 4MATIC—features an all-wheel-drive (AWD) layout utilizing dual permanent magnet synchronous motors (front and rear), jointly developed by Bosch and Mercedes-Benz. The front motor delivers a maximum output of 163 kW, while the rear motor produces a maximum of 300 kW. The system boasts a combined peak power output of 310 kW (approximately 422 horsepower) and a peak torque of 800 N·m. It is equipped with the class-exclusive eATS 2.0 two-speed electric drive system. Furthermore, the front axle features a Disconnect Unit (DCU) for the AWD system, allowing the vehicle to intelligently and dynamically switch between rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive modes as needed, thereby balancing energy efficiency with dynamic performance. The traction battery is a ternary lithium-ion pack supplied by CATL. With a usable capacity ranging from 85.5 to 89 kWh (as listed in the MIIT catalog), the vehicle is offered in two range variants: a standard-range version with a CLTC-rated range of 680 km, and a long-range version with a CLTC-rated range of 703 km—positioning it at the upper tier of the luxury SUV segment in terms of driving range.
3.2 Charging Efficiency and Chassis Technology
The vehicle is built upon the native MB.EA pure-electric platform and features an 800V high-voltage electrical architecture. It supports a peak DC fast-charging power of 320 kW; real-world testing demonstrates that charging the battery from 10% to 80% takes a mere 22 minutes, while a quick 5-minute charge can replenish nearly 100 km of driving range—significantly alleviating range anxiety for long-distance travel. While the overseas version supports a maximum fast-charging rate of 330 kW, the domestic version retains the necessary hardware potential for future expansion and upgrades. Regarding the chassis, the new vehicle inherits flagship technology from the S-Class: it comes standard with AIRMATIC air suspension and a dual-directional 4.5° active rear-wheel steering system. This configuration reduces the turning radius during low-speed maneuvers while enhancing body stability at high speeds. Furthermore, the suspension height can be adjusted directly via in-vehicle voice commands, striking a perfect balance between comfort for urban commuting and stability for high-speed driving. In terms of intelligent driving, the vehicle is equipped with a custom, full-scenario autonomous driving system developed by Momenta. This system supports highway navigation assistance nationwide, urban navigation assistance, and fully automated parking, with hardware and software specifications benchmarked against Mercedes-Benz's high-end all-electric models.
In terms of market positioning, the all-new 2026 Pure Electric GLC serves as a pivotal model for Mercedes-Benz in facilitating the transition of existing GLC owners from internal combustion engines to electric mobility. Built upon the native MB.EA all-electric platform, it successfully overcomes the inherent limitations—often associated with "fuel-to-electric conversions"—that plagued the previous EQ series. With four core competitive advantages—an accessible starting pre-sale price of 349,000 RMB, a maximum driving range of 703 km, chassis configurations derived from the S-Class, and a localized long-wheelbase design offering enhanced interior space—the vehicle demonstrates distinct competitive differentiation when benchmarked against rivals such as the BMW iX3 and Audi Q5 e-tron in terms of range, chassis hardware, and cabin features.
The new vehicle is initially launching via a pre-sale campaign in the Chinese market, with subsequent rollouts planned for major global markets—including Europe and Southeast Asia—in a phased manner. By balancing the specific demand for long-wheelbase models in China with Mercedes-Benz's global product standards, it stands as a benchmark mid-size luxury all-electric SUV introduced to the global stage during the brand's electrification transition phase. For consumers, the current pre-sale policy—which allows a 3,000 RMB deposit to be credited as 10,000 RMB toward the purchase price, plus a complimentary upgrade to premium features worth 10,000 RMB—represents the optimal window of opportunity to acquire this new vehicle.
