Mercedes GLC Electric & C-Class Electric should get these 8 features

In 2026, the three-pointed star plans to introduce the GLC Electric and C-Class Electric, with the former set to serve as the successor to the now-discontinued EQC (N293). As with the G-Class Electric and the CLA Electric, the upcoming EVs will sell alongside their combustion-engined counterparts.

In the mid to the longer-term with this product offensive, I look very much end 2025, 2026, with MMA, CLA to come; Electric C-Class, GLC in 2026, and all of the other, we should be good to meet the targets in the EU.

Harald Wilhelm, Chief Financial Officer at Mercedes, during the company’s Q3 2024 earnings call on October 25, 2024

Here are 8 big features we expect in the Mercedes GLC Electric and Mercedes C-Class Electric:

MBUX Superscreen

The Mercedes GLC Electric and C-Class Electric will have a digital interior dominated by high-resolution mini-LED displays with thousands of local dimming zones. We expect Mercedes-Benz to equip the GLC Electric and C-Class Electric with MBUX Superscreen, a trio of such crisp displays integrated into the dashboard—one for the instrument cluster on the driver side, one in the center for the infotainment system, and one on the passenger side for individual entertainment.

Advanced MB.EA-M platform

MB.EA-M, a brand-new vehicle platform dedicated to midsize electric cars, will underpin the Mercedes GLC Electric and Mercedes C-Class Electric. As a result, these EVs should have better space packaging than cars derived from ICE models, such as the Mercedes EQC, for instance. The bespoke EV platform will likely give it advantages like a flat floor, more passenger volume, superior rear knee room, and more storage solutions.

Frunk

Unlike the current Mercedes EVs, the electric C-Class and GLC should feature a frunk, something other automakers like Tesla, Lucid Motors, and Rivian have been offering for years. The GLC Electric and CLA Electric will be the company’s first models to come with this feature.

eATS 2.0

eATS 2.0 is the second generation of Mercedes-Benz’s electric drive unit. Developed entirely in-house and also called EDU 2.0, it integrates a permanently excited synchronous motor (PSM), power electronics equipped with a silicon carbide (SiC) inverter, and a two-speed gearbox. It will power the rear wheels of the car. A second electric drive unit spinning the front wheels will be included in 4MATIC AWD variants.

We’re also expecting the drivetrain to feature a SiC inverter. It will remain shut off until needed in heavy loads, effectively serving as a boost function.

Multi-source heat pump

A multi-source heat pump isn’t a groundbreaking innovation, with Hyundai having used it since 2018. However, for Mercedes-Benz, it is a new feature.

The company will debut it in the CLA Electric this year and should apply the same technology to the GLC Electric and C-Class Electric next year. The new-generation heat pump reutilizes waste heat from the eATS 2.0 drive unit, the battery pack, and ambient air to reduce the energy consumption of the HVAC system and maximize the range of the EV.

Ultra-fast charging

The Mercedes GLC Electric and Mercedes C-Class Electric will likely support ultra-fast charging at up to 320-350 kW. A 10-80% charging session should take just around 20 minutes.

One-pedal driving

Mercedes-Benz should offer a one-pedal driving feature in the GLC Electric and C-Class Electric for more convenience. These EVs will likely use regenerative braking for most deceleration needs and will be capable of coming to a complete stop via one-pedal driving. This feature is helpful in low-speed conditions like city traffic.

Bidirectional charging

The GLC Electric and C-Class Electric should come with bidirectional charging functions like, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-home (V2H), and vehicle-to-grid (V2G), giving customers more utility.

Also See: First Look Review: The Mercedes EQE SUV is the GLE of the future

Featured image: TopElectricSUV’s illustration of the future GLC.