Mercedes-Benz is pulling out all the stops for the New York Auto Show this year, as the event will host the world debuts of no less than five vehicles. The product portfolio is quite diverse this time around, including the 396-horsepower E43 AMG, the facelifted CLA, the new C63 AMG Cabriolet, and a pair of crossovers determined to rewrite the English language.
The 2017 GLC Coupe is the latest in a long line of vehicles fitted with the “coupe” moniker despite the fact that they are all relatively large people-carriers with four doors. Deceiving name aside, the distinctly swoopy silhouette has become massively popular in recent years, evidenced by other coupe-ish SUVs like Mercedes’ GLE Coupe and the BMW X4.
The GLC Coupe will come in two versions when it goes on sale in early 2017 — the GLC300 4Matic Coupe and the range-topping GLC43 Coupe from Mercedes-AMG. While the base GLC300 will feature a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, the AMG variant will boast a 3.0-liter biturbo V6 rated at 362 hp and 384 lb-ft. Performance specs are still forthcoming, but the automaker estimates the GLC43 will topple 60 mph in less than 5.0 seconds.
The GLC300 will come standard with off-road suspension, 4Matic four-wheel drive, a nine-speed automatic transmission with Dynamic Select, a sunroof, and a 7.0-inch color display. The AMG simply has more of everything, however it equips a performance-oriented AMG Ride Control Sport suspension setup and a retuned 4Matic system with a 31:69 front/rear bias. Optional features include an 8.4-inch Comand infotainment screen, air suspension, a head-up display, and Mercedes’ Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control with Steering Assist.
As far as pricing goes, that information will be revealed closer to the on-sale date of both vehicles. For more news and videos from the New York Auto Show, keep your browsers locked to DT Cars.
Volkswagen’s newest EVs in China are making its American and European models look unusually conservative.
With Xpeng’s help, VW has introduced 800-volt charging and advanced urban driving assistance. The new VEGA technology package brings its locally developed vehicle platforms and CEA electronic architecture under one umbrella. Bloomberg reports that Volkswagen intends to update VEGA every three months. Western buyers can find pieces of that package, but not the whole thing in a Volkswagen.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?