In this era of change, Mercedes-Benz, as the inventor of the automobile, is still seeking those unchanging emotional values that make people feel warm and secure.
On September 8, with the theme of "Welcome home", the Mercedes-Benz Night of the 2025 Munich Motor Show kicked off. The protagonist of the night was undoubtedly the highly anticipated new pure electric GLC SUV.
Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV
Before its debut, Mathias Geisen, member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and responsible for sales and marketing, gave an exclusive interview to Chinese media. In his view, the warm greeting "Welcome home" is not only the theme of a press conference, but also the core emotion that Mercedes-Benz conveys to users in its electrification transformation.
"During the brand transformation process, we have always attached great importance to preserving the familiarity that everyone has with Mercedes-Benz," said Gessen. "Whether it's products, experiences or marketing, we hope that everyone can feel at home."
For this reason, when asked what detail of this innovative car he personally likes most, Gesen said it's the immersive atmosphere created by the mood-changing lighting after closing the door and climbing inside. "That's what I appreciate most, it's that 'welcome home' feeling."
As Mercedes-Benz's best-selling model in recent years, the GLC series has sold millions of units worldwide. Built on an all-new platform, the all-electric GLC SUV naturally embodies Mercedes-Benz's ambitions in the electric age.
"This is the pinnacle of the GLC range," said Gessen. "It offers everyday practicality, timeless design, exceptional comfort, leading safety standards, and cutting-edge technology."
He explained that this model boasts outstanding energy efficiency: a 94 kWh battery, 330 kW DC fast charging, a 10-minute charge that adds 303 km to the vehicle's range, and a pure electric range of 713 km under WLTP conditions. Future models will have a range of up to 735 km, meaning it can meet the vast majority of customers' daily usage scenarios and driving needs.
Furthermore, it boasts numerous technological innovations. For example, its heat pump system maintains efficient energy conversion even in extremely cold weather, ensuring stable driving range. Another highlight is its class-leading, two-speed electric transmission, delivering a maximum power of 360 kilowatts, a very high-end feature for a mid-size SUV.
The all-new all-electric GLC SUV is larger, with better headroom and legroom, and a front trunk volume of 128 liters, providing greater storage capacity.
In terms of chassis technology, it is equipped with a rear-wheel active steering system with a maximum steering angle of 4.5 degrees in both directions, and is also equipped with AIRMATIC air suspension derived from the S-Class sedan.
The all-new all-electric GLC SUV fully embraces the brand's retro heritage. It features a new, seamless 39.1-inch MBUX hyperlink screen, stretching across the A-pillars for a stunning visual experience. The screen offers 11 themes and an optional head-up display. The intelligent, light-sensing panoramic sunroof features zone-by-zone adjustment and a single-touch switch between transparent and matte modes. All of this embodies Mercedes-Benz's century-long commitment to engineering aesthetics and meticulous craftsmanship, while also being highly innovative.
In addition, the new pure electric GLC SUV is also equipped with a number of high-end hardware, including multiple external cameras, radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors and other intelligent assisted driving technologies, which is also a response to the attention of the Chinese market.
In response to the needs of the Chinese market, Mercedes-Benz has also launched a long-wheelbase version and a 6-seat layout option.
In terms of design, although the front grille no longer needs a heat dissipation function, Mercedes-Benz innovatively uses 942 interactive light sources to continue the classic design of the 1900s, achieving the recognition of "Mercedes-Benz at a glance".
Mathias Geisen
Gessen explained, "We don't innovate for the sake of innovation. Instead, we aim to bring innovative value to our customers, whether it's emotional value or rich content and functional value. For Mercedes-Benz, the engineering spirit is 360-degree comprehensive innovation, but it's not an end, but a means to an end. We never focus on just one point, but are committed to creating more complete and comprehensive products to bring all-round value to our customers."
As one of Mercedes-Benz's younger management representatives, Gessen has visited 15 countries in the months since taking office. He has a personal experience with the "welcome home" message: "The moment you step into a Mercedes-Benz after a day's work, take a deep breath, and the sense of security and peace of mind you experience is exactly the 'welcome home' Mercedes-Benz hopes to convey." Gessen believes this is an emotional value that is difficult for other brands to imitate. In our view, this is also the key to a century-old brand's continued appeal.
