The most peculiar SUV of 2023 is diesel and travels more than 100 kilometers without consuming a drop of diesel

It is one of the best-selling cars in its category. Yes too one of the few products currently available on the market that combines diesel engines with supporting electric motors that, in addition, they can move this car by themselves.

The idea of ​​improving the performance, and consumption, of a diesel engine through the use of electric motors and batteries is not new. Years ago we saw how Citroën (and its DS models), and Peugeot marketed diesel hybrids. Currently, some manufacturers, especially in the premium segment, also have micro-hybrid diesel mechanics in their range of products.

But get a diesel that travels more than 100 kilometers without consuming a drop of dieselobviously using a plug-in hybrid system with large capacity batteries – for a vehicle of these characteristics – it is somewhat less frequent. And probably one of the reasons for the success of this SUV.

The Mercedes GLC is one of the few cars available on the market with plug-in hybrid mechanics with more than 100 kilometers of autonomy and also one of the few that uses both gasoline and diesel engines in these mechanics.

One of the stars of the current SUV offer, from the brand of the star

The Mercedes GLC enjoys truly spectacular sales in Spain for its category and its price. It is one of the best-selling SUVs of the German premium trio (6,087 units registered in 2022, according to data compiled by ANFAC), only surpassed by two much cheaper products from a lower segment, such as the Audi Q3 (9,909 units) and the BMW X1 (6,232 units). Benefiting from its plug-in hybrid technology, but also from the existence of two bodies, a Mercedes GLC “SUV” and a version with a sportier line, called the Mercedes GLC Coupé.

Mercedes-Benz has found great commercial appeal in plug-in hybrids. What should also lead us to reflect on how these technologies are enjoying greater penetration in high ranges, and in drivers with a high purchasing power, and not so much in the general public. The Mercedes A-Class is the fourth best-selling plug-in hybrid in Spain (2,006 units registered in 2022), only surpassed by the Peugeot 3008 (2,738), the Lynk&Co 01 (2,701) and the Ford Kuga (2,006).

The Hyundai Tucson (1,944) is the fifth in this classification, followed by the Mercedes GLC (1,587 units). One in four Mercedes GLC registered in Spain is a plug-in hybrid.

100 kilometers without consuming a drop of diesel or gasoline

As we told you, the plug-in hybrid mechanics of the Mercedes GLC is one of the keys to the success of this model, which has just been completely renewed with its SUV body and is available at the following prices, typical of a high-end car:

The 4MATIC Mercedes GLC 300, thanks to its plug-in hybrid mechanics, can travel between 112 and 128 kilometers in electric mode, without consuming a drop of diesel. The GLC 300 e 4MATIC can travel between 118 and 130 kilometers without consuming a drop of gasoline.

Mercedes-Benz has started the year with a considerable price increase in diesel and gasoline and maintaining the prices of the GLC plug-in hybrid range

At the beginning of this year Mercedes-Benz has revised the prices of the GLC range, with a considerable increase in the prices of diesel and gasoline engines (see GLC prices in December) and maintaining the prices of its plug-in hybrid range. The Mercedes GLC 300 4MATIC, for example, has gone from €65,253 to €72,525, a price increase of 11%.

This is yet another example of how diesel and gasoline engines are becoming more expensive, shortening the difference with plug-in and electric hybrids, as a consequence of the CO emissions reduction targets.₂ that manufacturers must achieve in compliance with European regulations.

SUV or SUV Coupe?

Unlike the Mercedes GLC SUV, which has just received a facelift, the Mercedes GLC Coupé has not yet been updated, but it is still on the market. And it also has in its range of diesel, gasoline, and diesel and gasoline plug-in hybridsas well as the different sports versions Mercedes-AMG: