German EV showdown: Bold new Mercedes GLC and BMW iX3 to debut in September

There’s a German electric SUV showdown looming, and it starts at the IAA Mobility Summit in early September when the new BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology will be revealed to the world for the first time.

Not only will the two battery-powered midsize SUVs be direct competitors when they hit the market, but both will usher in new design and engineering eras for their respective carmakers.

The Mercedes GLC electric debuts a brand new design language for the firm's electric vehicles, with the softer lines of its current EQ models having faced criticism for their lack of imagination and identity.

To whet our appetites, Mercedes released a teaser image this week, showing the new upright, and more traditional-looking, ‘grille’ that will feature on its electric GLC.

As EVs do not require a grille for cooling, the GLC’s centrepiece is purely aesthetic and features a chrome frame surrounding a smoked-glass-effect lattice structure and integrated contour lighting. An illuminated version will also be offered, featuring 942 backlit dots and animation sequences.

The battery-powered GLC with EQ Technology replaces the EQC SUV, with Mercedes moving to a more integrated naming convention for its models. While it shares a name with its combustion-engined GLC sibling, the electric model will feature a completely different platform, in the form of Merc’s upcoming MB-EA dedicated electric vehicle architecture.

Technical details are still under wraps, but CarExpert reports that the new electric GLC is likely to offer a WLTP driving range of more than 800km, while the most powerful version could produce over 500kW.

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Either way, the GLC is going to face some stiff competition from its Bavarian rival, with BMW stating that the new iX3 will be one of the most significant model introductions in the company’s entire history.

Ushering in the “Neue Klasse” family of vehicles, it claims to make huge strides in EV technology as well as sustainability and connectivity.

The architecture incorporates a completely new battery system and drivetrain, all geared towards maximum efficiency and reduced weight.

BMW says the iX3 50 xDrive flagship will boast a WLTP range of up to 800km, and thanks to a 400kW maximum charging capability, owners will be able to add around 350km of range in just 10 minutes at a fast-charging station.

Furthermore, its Gen6 powertrain technology and BMW Dynamic Performance Control software stack aim to raise the dynamic potential of electric powertrains to a new level.

The iX3 also debuts the new BMW Panoramic iDrive cockpit interface, which displays all relevant driving information in the driver’s ideal line of sight.

“With the all-new #BMW iX3, we bring our revolutionary technologies into series production for the first time, and we can hardly wait to see it in action on the road. All future BMW models, regardless of powertrain type, will benefit from the innovations and technology clusters of the Neue Klasse," says Mike Reichelt, Head of Neue Klass BMW.

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