More dope emerges about the Mercedes Benz’s BMW X1 rival!

2012 Mercedes Benz GLC-BMW X1 Rival

Quite a while ago, we reported that Mercedes Benz was developing a platform called the modular front architecture(MFA) to rival the likes of the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3. This indeed seems to be happening as Mercedes Benz seems to be working feverishly on this platform to spawn the Mercedes Benz GLC which will take on the BMW X1 shortly. The two box GLC design is more of a toned down Mercedes GLK with a car like stance and handling.

Lots of muscles adorn the GLC all around to make it look like a sporty hatchback that yet won’t be over shadowed by their cars in site of it’s smaller size. This is quite important as a prospective owner in India, at least, would look for plenty of road presence. Meanwhile, the GLC is touted to be the ideal low cost soft roader from the Merc stable that will find more buyers both in emerging as well as traditional Mercedes Benz markets and for this Mercedes Benz is said to be mulling a front wheel drive option to keep costs low and fuel efficiency high.

Also on the anvil are a range of petrol and diesel engines ranging from a low cost 120 Bhp Renault Diesel to the top of the line 204 Bhp 250CDI engine variant with plenty of options in between. A six speed manual gearbox is to be standard on the lower variants while the top end versions might get a dual clutch transmission. As the GLC will be the new range of future Mercs, Mercedes will also consider hybrid powertrains and other forms of alternate fuels to spur growth and keep with the industry trend of moving to newer and efficient fuel technologies.

Along with the range of powertrain technology, the GLC will also come with some trick stuff like Brake Energy Regeneration and an automatic stop start system in a further bid to make the GLC a very frugal car. Now that makes quite a lot of sense given the way the fuel prices are hurtling towards the stratosphere. We expect the Mercedes Benz GLC to be priced very close to the BMW X1 and to be assembled in CKD form in India as that would be the most logical way to keep costs down to take on the BMW X1 and the to-be-launched Audi Q3.

Via AutoCarIndia

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