The Mercedes GLC Coupe appears where the BMW X4 was rampant, where the versatility gives way to a more disruptive image and a more dynamic behavior. We are facing these two SUVs colorful image.

The territory that the BMW X4 tread and Mercedes GLC Coupe has something mysterious, because provide an SUV, a vehicle practical personality, marked sport style it may seem, in principle, contradictory. Perhaps this is why, when BMW launched into the adventure with the BMW X6 in 2008, more than one thought at the Bavarian brand had become a little crazy. The truth is that no competitor was ready for that surprise, but gradually saw that there were drivers who fit them this formula even SsangYong launched the Actyon- and BMW decided to continue the saga with X4 and in 2014.

He has spent time until another brand point to this very exclusive area within the label that hold together the German premium, Mercedes He has decided to strike in this “protectorate” with its new GLC Coupe. Although you can say that just landed on the market, orders that manages the star mark on the GLC range, 50 percent corresponds to this body sporty style. For BMW, sold nearly as many X3 and X4, thus, for example, in the months of 2016, the proportion of units shipped was 53/47%, with a clearly upward progression for the coupe body style. It seems, therefore, that the public concerned by these edgier SUV is increasing.

Much more than a striking body

The "transformation" of the Mercedes GLC in coupe not only it implies a change of aesthetics: Your body is nearly 8 cm longer Y It is 4 cm closer to the ground that of “normal” GLC to draw the more dynamic silhouette and a roof accused downlines from the B-pillar at the end. It also incorporates serial one specific suspension with shorter springs of the car derived, and different chassis settings to enhance a more agile cornering behavior.

With 4.73 m long, the GLC Coupe is also 6 longer than the BMW X4 cm, in addition to 8 wider and two lower. He also takes 6 cm wheelbase -2.87 m in front of 2,81-, but the truth is that all this height difference does not translate into a very different habitability, since the space available in the front seats is identical in both SUV, while behind, Mercedes offers a couple of centimeters more legroom – 76 cm- and -93 cm- ceiling height. The BMW X4 Instead, as measured by our Technical Center, It offers a somewhat larger luggage compartment of 450 liters, compared to 385 of the GLC Coupe, Y both include an additional gate that opens and closes automatically. In both you can request the opening function passing the foot below the bumper. The Mercedes also has some shooters that facilitate folding the rear seatbacks to expand the area when loading operation is not performed so comfortably in the BMW.

But beyond practical aspects, the driver who committed these sportier SUV also seeks rewarding driving sensations. In this sense, in the range X4 you can choose a stunning version M40i 360 hp, while the GLC Coupe will soon be available one 43 AMG 4Matic 367 hp, but our grief focuses on more “earthly” versions, which tend to grab more sales numbers. It is the case BMW X4 xDrive 20d Automatic 190PS here facing the GLC Coupe 250 d 4Matic 204 hp -the 220 d stays in CV- 170, incorporating Serial automatic switching 9G-Tronic 9-speed, a case that the automatic equipping the BMW.

GLC Mercedes 4Matic Coupe 250d: faster and smoother running

Both of them four-cylinder engines have a fairly nice performance, but when looking for the upper area of ​​the counter are noted, marking distances in terms of loudness and refinement with six-cylinder diesel available in higher versions of both models. The difference of 14 hp moved to benefits, even though our scale the GLC Coupe weighed 60 kilos more than the X4 1,956 kg to 1,897 kg- front. In passing 0 to 100 km / h Mercedes will endorse more than one second –7.46 s 8.58 s face for X4– completing kilometer mark with a superb 28.8 seconds, Meanwhile he BMW is not able to break the desired minute barrier means. And when you search for optimum pickup overtaking, more of the same; the 5.57 s Mercedes GLC 4Matic Coupe 250d in step 80 to 120 km / h They are almost a second better that the time spent by the opponent.

And if we seek fun in an area of ​​curves, we will have it. The inertia generated by its two tons are there, but, for example, our unit GLC Coupe rode the optional air suspension -standard already incorporates an effective undercarriage deportivo- that low body 1.5 cm by selecting drive modes and Sport Sport + and further limits the rocking curve, with the addition in this case an optional package AMG with 19-inch wheels involving 235/55 tires in front and 255/50 in the rear. The great work of change direction faster than the “normal” GLC and imperceptible loss of traction for the perfect pair 4Matic management system -the initial distribution is 45:55 percent- They bring enjoyment to a high level. Their reactions are mild and progressive, also there is a Comfort mode that softens the character of his answer, and when avivamos the pace in the most difficult paths electronics also fulfills its mission to provide precision and balance.

BMW X4 20d xDrive: better behavior and consumption

At BMW X4 have also benefited from the electronic suspension control which also improves cornering performance, although our experience in other units of this model, the suspension comes standard and has a very good set-up, which provides a great balance between comfort and efficiency when we stumbled on uneven ground . Eight-speed change has made us to look very good overall Only in specific situations it seems slower than the SLN or the torque converter seems to show a little more resbalamiento- and once again BMW prints its particular stamp on the dynamic response of this SUV, with safe reactions, a rapid steering response and overall a very sporty touch, thanks to its torque split drive system which tends to prioritize propulsion. Of course, few cars of these characteristics show firmness in the strong support that transmits the BMW X4, and without losing accuracy to the limit, with a rear that helps to round the twists and allows you to link a curve after another smoothly. A improvable point we have detected in this unit BMW X4 proven brakes have been somewhat sensitive to heavy use, which marked a distance higher than the Mercedes stop: 75 meters to stop from 140km / h vs. 72.2 m rival.

In urban areas, to cope in a fast speed bumps pronounced if we noticed some dry suspension in the front of the GLC Coupe when working in compression, perhaps the presence of AMG package or greater hardness of-the-flat tires optional X4 also incorporates similar, but as endowment series- limited in these circumstances the exceptional ride comfort characterizes this SUV. And we can not end without speaking of consumption, a facet in which 2.0-liter engine BMW continues to demonstrate its high efficiency, with better results in both urban journeys or on long road trips, to the point that, on average, is able to save nearly half a liter of diesel versus spending achieves 2.2 liters of Mercedes that in any case , get a Interestingly actual average consumption -with best of benefits- only 6.9 l / 100 km, 4 percentage points more than the BMW model.

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