Hot! Mercedes-Benz, What's Next?

[GTA45E]

952hp is crazy, but I am guessing this C53 EV AMG is going to be on the thick end of 5000lbs if a little bit beyond that.
If this is called C53, and it claimed to have a soundtrack, I cannot see the AMG engineers giving a 53 badge the soundtrack of the 4-door GT EV. It has to have the sound of the M256 Evo, which would still be good if done correctly.

 

[leylandi]

The Mercedes GLC EQ is now in showrooms.

Mercedes confirmed the showroom premiere of the GLC EQ for March 14, 2026 – we reported on it here.

But apparently, it was a close call. The Cologne-Frechen branch only received the vehicles late in the afternoon of March 13, 2026.

The BMW iX3 and the GLC EQ celebrated their world premieres together at the 2025 IAA. The BMW's showroom premiere was on March 7, 2026, a week before the GLC EQ. After numerous comparisons at the 2025 IAA, the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, and now at the dealership, the BMW can't compete with the new GLC EQ in terms of interior material quality.

Der Mercedes GLC EQ ist jetzt in den Showrooms

Die neuen sind da: Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ, GLB EQ (X244) und CLA Hybrid (C178) sind in den Showrooms angekommen

jesmb.de

 

[leylandi]

 

[Design FIRST]

Although I have little doubt that the GLC EQ will be commercially far more successful, I'm finding, from what I can detect so far, the C-Class EQ sedan the more visually attractive vehicle.

I dunno...maybe it's the far better resolved sideglass graphic on the C.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

The Mercedes GLC EQ is now in showrooms.

Mercedes confirmed the showroom premiere of the GLC EQ for March 14, 2026 – we reported on it here.

But apparently, it was a close call. The Cologne-Frechen branch only received the vehicles late in the afternoon of March 13, 2026.

The BMW iX3 and the GLC EQ celebrated their world premieres together at the 2025 IAA. The BMW's showroom premiere was on March 7, 2026, a week before the GLC EQ. After numerous comparisons at the 2025 IAA, the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, and now at the dealership, the BMW can't compete with the new GLC EQ in terms of interior material quality.

When's the press embargo?

 

[Uygar]

The Mercedes GLC EQ is now in showrooms.

Mercedes confirmed the showroom premiere of the GLC EQ for March 14, 2026 – we reported on it here.

But apparently, it was a close call. The Cologne-Frechen branch only received the vehicles late in the afternoon of March 13, 2026.

The BMW iX3 and the GLC EQ celebrated their world premieres together at the 2025 IAA. The BMW's showroom premiere was on March 7, 2026, a week before the GLC EQ. After numerous comparisons at the 2025 IAA, the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, and now at the dealership, the BMW can't compete with the new GLC EQ in terms of interior material quality.

And GLC can’t compete with the iX3 in terms of anything else, especially design-wise. Sorry.

 

[Swissbob]

When's the press embargo?

I think 22.3

 

[leylandi]

And GLC can’t compete with the iX3 in terms of anything else, especially design-wise. Sorry.

Thankfully, it's not all about design.

 

[Uygar]

Thankfully, it's not all about design.

In this circumstance that’s pretty much the whole case. They have very similar specs, so the design itself will play a huge role. I don’t recall GLC having anything major over the iX3 either, if so, I forgot.

 

[Design FIRST]

Thankfully, it's not all about design.

True, although design plays an immensely important role in the buyer/leasers decision-making process. And this increasingly so as BEVs are facilitating a leveling of the technological playing field in their particular respective segments. Also crucial are core as well as amenities software features, assembly and material quality, fit and finish.

Not to forget that buyers/leasers are shopping for "price" as much, if not more, as they are shopping for a "vehicle". IMHO, the direct comparision between the GLC EQ and ix3 will see, foremostly, "design" tipping the scales in favor of the ix3. One could also mention "brand image", which has arguably been less favorable for M-B in more recent times.

 

[Swissbob]

In this circumstance that’s pretty much the whole case. They have very similar specs, so the design itself will play a huge role. I don’t recall GLC having anything major over the iX3 either, if so, I forgot.

Air suspension and rear wheel steering.

It’ll be way comfier.

 

[Uygar]

Air suspension and rear wheel steering.

It’ll be way comfier.

It will be interesting to see them compete. I’m waiting for the comparison videos.

 

[Esp5]

Air suspension

Optional extra, I suppose.

 

[Swissbob]

Optional extra, I suppose.

Of course.

But on the iX3 there’s not even a adaptive suspension available.

You get what you get, otherwise you have to look on aftermarket suspensions.

 

[Swissbob]

It will be interesting to see them compete. I’m waiting for the comparison videos.

Me too.

In according to German Mercedes Benz forums, people who drove the new GLC raved about the suppleness of the suspension.

In the German BMW forums , people who drove the iX3 said that the suspension of the car is stiff but not too harsh If you’re not on the bigger wheels.
With 21 or 22 it’s indeed very stiff.

I expect more to come in the next few h, as the first testdrives happened yesterday.

I’ll ask my dealer for a testdrive in the GLC as well.

 

[Uygar]

Me too.

In according to German Mercedes Benz forums, people who drove the new GLC raved about the suppleness of the suspension.

In the German BMW forums , people who drove the iX3 said that the suspension of the car is stiff but not too harsh If you’re not on the bigger wheels.
With 21 or 22 it’s indeed very stiff.

I expect more to come in the next few h, as the first testdrives happened yesterday.

I’ll ask my dealer for a testdrive in the GLC as well.

Bigger wheels are indeed a problem, especially in EV’s, though it kinda depends on the design. Aero ones don’t reduce the range that much. Aside from the range they also make the ride harsher. We didn’t want the bigger wheels on the i5 even though they looked cooler and proportionally better. 19’s are perfectly fine.

 

[Esp5]

Thankfully, it's not all about design.

Of course.

But on the iX3 there’s not even a adaptive suspension available.

That's right, but they announced that it will be available later, although no one in the test videos seemed to care, since they mention it as the best SUV overall they've driven antil now, not just EVs, with a chassis from another planet, so the GLC won't have it easy there.

With 21 or 22 it’s indeed very stiff.

Nobody in any of the videos has said that it's very stiff.

 

[Merc1]

Here we go, already making claims about a better car before the first comparison has happened. Based on looks. Gotta love it.

M

 

[Swissbob]

Nobody in any of the videos has said that it's very stiff.

Suppleness is always very subjective, it always depends what you’re used to.

One customer wrote that it’s as stiff as a Tesla Y with the biggest wheels ( I guess 21).

The Tesla Y ist very harsh.

BMWs we’re traditionally always stiffer than Mercedes Benz.

TBH I already expected the GLC to be comfier than the iX3.

 

[Uygar]

Suppleness is always very subjective, it always depends what you’re used to.

One customer wrote that it’s as stiff as a Tesla Y with the biggest wheels ( I guess 21).

The Tesla Y ist very harsh.

BMWs we’re traditionally always stiffer than Mercedes Benz.

TBH I already expected the GLC to be comfier than the iX3.

I was about the say the exact same. Since we own both 5 and E, I can easily say E is the comfier one. i5 is also super comfortable imo, perhaps thanks to the smaller wheels, but E is just better period. It has bigger wheels than the i5 as well.