Dominik Voogdt, head of general automobile engineering for the GLC EV, describes this new braking system as a “game-changer” for general effectivity.
The Galtispuoda Go: a take a look at of grit and grip
For my first drive of the GLC EV, Mercedes has introduced me to the Galtispuoda mountain cross, simply outdoors Arjeplog in Sweden’s Arctic north. This winding, snow-covered mountain street is a relentless take a look at of a automobile’s mettle. It’s received all of it: steep inclines, precipitous descents, quick open bends and sharp hairpins – all with surfaces that, right now of yr, shift unpredictably from compacted snow to sheer ice and again once more earlier than you realise.
With a heavy cloak of disguise masking the prototype’s dashboard and different areas, we will’t say a lot in regards to the inside design but, besides that it departs fairly radically from that of the ICE GLC fashions, that are more likely to undertake it, together with a brand new pillar-to-pillar show panel and different digital developments, together with the brand new MB.OS working system, as a part of a mid-life facelift earlier than the top of subsequent yr.
That mentioned, the driving place and ergonomics all really feel acquainted, with typical Mercedes refinement and a spotlight to element. A big glass roof floods the cabin with pure gentle, whereas an extended wheelbase than ICE GLC fashions (a good thing about the EV’s MB.EA platform) supplies further area, a lot of which has been allotted to extending rear-seat leg room. It’s very roomy, noticeably so within the again.
However I haven’t flown midway to the North Pole to be a passenger: I am right here to drive. From my start line on the summit of the Galtispuoda, there’s a silent but plain urgency to the qualities of the brand new eATS 2.0 drivetrain within the first mile or so, the sort that pins me to the motive force’s seat when traction is discovered and exploited by the GLC EV’s fast-reacting four-wheel-drive system and different driving help methods. Regardless of the treacherous situations, there’s reliable traction and swift acceleration on the straighter sections of the cross.
The steadiness-control system works quickly and utterly within the background with out ever feeling intrusive or overbearing, retaining progress easy and managed. Voogdt says modifications to the automobile working system have decreased the quantity of CPU networking, offering sooner and extra seamless management of energy to every of the wheels.
