While Mercedes was confirming the online launch of its new GLC for June 17, ahead of a world premiere at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, our spies nabbed one of the least-disguised testers of the SUV to date.

If you haven’t heard, the GLC is the milder and rounder looking successor to the GLK that sets its eyes on the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Lexus NX, and is a related to the upcoming and sportier GLC Coupe previewed through a thinly veiled concept at the recent Shanghai Auto Show.

The taller and more practical GLC will share many design details with the GLC Coupe, including the rounder body with a bluff front end featuring a short overhang that waves goodbye to the current GLK’s square-edged design partly inspired by the rugged G-Class.

Inside, it strongly resembles the W205 C-Class with a similar dashboard layout and controls, including the free-flowing touchscreen display for the latest infotainment system.

The new C-Class also lends its basic architecture and powertrains to the GLC that will be offered with a range of four-cylinder and V6 engines that closely mirror that of the W205 sedan and estate models.

For the first time, there will be a high-performance AMG variant set to run the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 as the C63 AMG and AMG GT sports cars and which will arrive in the market about a year after the regular GLC goes on sale.

A plug-in hybrid version named the GLC 350e with the same inline-four turbo and a 60kW electric motor as the C350e will join the range as well.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

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