The driver's area and passenger compartment are clear, sensuous, with fine styling details and a generous amount of space – the interpretation of contemporary luxury.

The interior of the GLC Coupé is styled on a level which is rarely encountered even in higher vehicle categories. This applies to the painstaking choice of select, high-class materials and their pleasant touch and feel as well as the precision of the finely crafted details. And also to the design idiom, which blends sensuality (hot) and clarity (cool) with characteristic coupé flair, thus contributing to the extremely high-quality feel of the interior and convincingly showcases contemporary luxury.

In order to continue the dynamism of the exterior in the interior, fundamental elements are repeated inside the vehicle. This applies above all to the interplay of the contrasts between clear lines and extravagant surfaces. The hallmark Mercedes design element that is the "dropping line" is also found in the doors.

Distinctive stylistic elements in the interior of the GLC Coupé are the dashboard and the centre console with its flowing lines: a large, one-piece console panel performs a sweep from the centre air vents to the armrest. This clear, reduced surface treatment gives a feeling of spaciousness while conveying a puristic modernity.

The newly developed innovative touchpad in the handrest over the Controller nestles ergonomically in the centre console. As on a smartphone, this provides for very simple and intuitive operation of all the head-unit functions using finger gestures. The touchpad also permits letters, numbers and special characters to be entered in handwriting - in any language supported by Audio 20 or COMAND Online.

A centrally positioned multifunction display is the main eye-catching feature above the centre console – with a screen diagonal of 17.8 centimetres (7 inches), or 21.33 centimetres (8.4 inches) if COMAND Online is ordered. In both versions it is located in the best position ergonomically, above the centre console, and is elegantly partially integrated into the horizontal trim running from the instrument cluster to the side air vent on the front-passenger side. Its surface is completely protected by a glass cover and is bordered by a galvanised silver shadow frame. Visualisations and animations on the central display enhance the operating convenience and make the functions of driver assistance and communications systems tangible.

Five round air outlets lend the dashboard a sporty touch. Depending on the equipment, with their silver chrome metallic cool-touch effect they create a tangible contrast to the warm look of the other materials – such as the wood in the centre console or the ARTICO man-made leather on the dashboard. The high design standards duly continue with the controls. All switches have a high-quality, three-dimensional design befitting a luxury vehicle and benefit from a clear layout.

Ambient lighting – more than just decoration

The interior lighting makes predominant use of durable, energy-saving LED technology. This also applies to the optionally available ambient lighting in the three colours solar (amber), polar (ice blue) and neutral (white), which are selected via a menu item on the head unit and can be set to five brightness levels. In addition to the lighting elements in the dashboard console panel and on the door trim, the ambient lighting also includes illuminated outer door sill panels, for example.

Space concept: the best of both worlds

The stand-alone character of the GLC Coupé within the Mercedes-Benz SUV family is particularly apparent from its flowing coupé tail end. Nevertheless the dynamic newcomer fundamentally shares the dimensional concept of the multi-talented GLC – albeit with a few differences, which consciously emphasise the dynamic coupé spirit. The coupé variant of the SUV is 38 millimetres lower and longer by 76 millimetres in the tail end – both in favour of the extended roof line. The wheelbase (2873 mm) and body width (1890 mm) are the same on the GLC and GLC Coupé.

Even with all this sportiness and the high aesthetic standards the GLC Coupé still boasts plenty of practical plus points. The dynamic coupé roof reduces the headroom at the front and rear by a few millimetres, but without tangibly restricting the sense of spaciousness. The positive space experience is due in part to the fact that the availability of space in both the front and rear puts the GLC Coupé on a par with the GLC in terms of comfort. At the front and rear the shoulder room (1455/1436 mm) and elbow room (1499/1477 mm) plus the legroom in the rear (945 mm) are identical.

The coupé shape of the vehicle's tail end and its tailgate, which is considerably less raked than that of the GLC, do restrict the boot. However with 491 to 1400 litres respectively the load compartment capacity is right out in front in this market segment. The driver and front passenger can thus enjoy a generous amount of space in the GLC Coupé too.

Seats: sporty and variable

The sporty character of the GLC Coupé is underlined by sportily configured front seats. They offer more comfort in the shoulder area and their special shape is a factor in the generous legroom for the rear passengers. The head restraints can be moved fore and aft and their height can be adjusted by about 55 millimetres via four detents.

The seats in the rear boast an individual seat character. The backrest of the rear seat can be folded with a 40/20/40 split – automatically as standard and with electric release. A folding armrest with a stowage compartment and cup holder is integrated in the centre. The three height-adjustable head restraints also provide good rearward visibility.

The following additional appointments are available for the seats:

• Seat Comfort package with 4-way lumbar support, manual seat cushion length adjustment and electric seat cushion angle adjustment
• Fully power-adjustable seats with Memory package including electric cushion depth adjustment and 4-way lumbar support
• Three-stage seat heating with automatic intensity reduction/deactivation for seat cushion and backrest. Seat heating for the two outer rear seats is additionally available
• Climatised seats including ventilation with reversible direction of flow for driver and front passenger.

The automatic child seat recognition system omits the previous transponder and uses a weight mat instead. This enables any child seat to be used. The airbag is automatically deactivated in this case and reactivated once the child seat has been removed.

Added dynamism with AMG Line

The optionally available AMG Interior line provides a clear commitment to even greater dynamism and sportiness. This package includes, for example, sports seats with upholstery in ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre, ARTICO bi‑colour and the option of sports seats with bi-colour look leather upholstery.