Sometimes, all you really need is a quick escape within the city after an entire week of hard work. Thanks to the Auto Nation Group (ANG), official distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the Philippines, we got exactly want we wanted after we were treated to a day of adventure and relaxation with the new GLC 200 and the V-Class 200d.
According to Joseph Ayllon, Auto Nation Group head of PR Communications, the media ride and drive (and dive!) seeks to allow some members of the media to experience and enjoy the new GLC and V-Class as passengers, “since most of the time they are behind the wheel to do technical reviews… This allowed them to get a feel of the comfortable seats, the impressive amenities, and the quiet cabin of the new GLC and new V-Class, which you will appreciate nowadays given the heavy city traffic.”
The first order of business was a three-hour introductory course to scuba diving with PADI-accredited diver (and Gerard Butler lookalike) Igor Subora at the indoor scuba facilities of The Upper Deck Sports and Lifestyle Center in Ortigas. The activity sought to give a sneak peek into the lifestyle of a person that matches the personality and performance of the new GLC.
“The new GLC is the perfect match for confident go-getters in life who are determined to achieve goals. It’s the right vehicle to take out of town or to a quick getaway within the city – like taking the morning off to go scuba diving,” Ayllon explained. “It does not compromise on power and performance so you can confidently go on any adventure
You may see, one of my biggest frustrations in life is learning how to swim. I’ve been to pools, but the most radical thing that I did was to hang on the edge so as to avoid being drowned.
So, for someone who was having a hard time learning how to float, descending into the 15-foot pool was really a terrifying experience that I never dreamed of doing.
But thankfully, I overcame my fear and hurdled the diving lessons after struggling to learn how to use a diving mask. After that, we set out for a 20-minute ride on the Mercedes-Benz V-Class 200d to the SEDA Hotel at Vertis North for a quick lunch, then back to The Upper Deck aboard the GLC for a well-deserved massage.
Merdeces-Benz V-Class 220d
The Mercedes-Benz V-Class first debuted in 2014, sporting a completely new design element, value appeal, comfort, and safety in the MPV segment. Since then, the vehicle continues to be a true success – moving a total of 209,000 units have been sold five years ago including 64,000 in 2018 alone.
The secret behind the success of the new V-Class is obviously its style and value appeal. The designers in Stuttgart used a series of targeted measures to give the V-Class a fresh look which follows the design element of the current Mercedes-Benz passenger cars.
The front fascia reflects modernity and clarity. Within, the cabin showcases new air vents in a sporty turbine look along with new dials in the instrument cluster. With its reduced, clean design, drivers can orientate themselves easily.
The instrument panel and side paneling feature a new trim element that displays elegance with a touch of modernity. The elements in the piano lacquer, ebony wood, carbon fiber and brushed aluminum have been retained. Like the previous iteration, the first-row passenger seats can be configured to face backwards, allowing a more convenient way to share and use the folding tables.
The V-Class 200d has a retail price of P4,690,000.
Mercedes-Benz GLC 200
Nobody would argue that this newest offering from Mercedes is quite the head-turner, which is designed to look sleeker with its clean lines and sporty proportions. Making a debut as the GLK in 2008, which enriched the mid-size SUV segment, the GLC continues to be the bestselling Mercedes-Benz for a decade, with more than 1.6 million units sold worldwide.
To give passengers peace of mind, onboard safety systems have been upgraded while the infotainment has also been enhanced and updated with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) for additional convenience to both the driver and passengers.
What’s interesting with the MBUX is its ability to learn and adapt to the user’s voice command, thanks to artificial intelligence. By simply saying “Hey Mercedes,” MBUX can perform various infotainment functions such as destination input, phone call, music selection, climate control, and 64-color ambient lighting.
The new GLC features the iconic Mercedes-Benz SUV design that exudes a muscular and athletic profile with its striking radiator grille, elegant chrome elements, and the redesigned and functional multibeam LED headlamps. Following the design philosophy of sensual purity, the GLC illustrates the interplay of aesthetics, agility and intelligence. It sits on 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels to help with aerodynamics with reduced rolling resistance, while multibeam LED headlamps provide rapid and precise, electronically-controlled adjustment of the driving lights to match the current traffic situation.
In terms of the interior, the GLC’s sportiness, spaciousness, and luxury continue with high-grade materials, precise finishing and flowing contours. The new-generation multifunction steering wheel sports touch controls which improve the driving and maneuvering experience. Aside from that, the GLC also has an all-digital instrument display with a 12.3-inch large screen that delivers a pin-sharp picture clarity that is also easy to read under any lighting conditions.
The new GLC comes in the 200 Exclusive variant and is now available at all Mercedes-Benz dealerships across the country with a sticker price of P4,290,000.
For more information, visit www.mercedes-benz.ph or schedule a test drive at your nearest Mercedes-Benz dealer in EDSA-Greenhills, Global City, Alabang, and Cebu.