Mercedes-Benz Tests Off-Road Systems in Dune Driving
▼ Summary
– Mercedes-Benz is testing preproduction electric GLC prototypes in the Dumont Dunes to refine software and calibrations before production next year.
– The electric GLC features optional air suspension that increases ground clearance up to 8.1 inches for improved off-road capability in Terrain modes.
– Its all-wheel-drive system uses sensors and electric motors to distribute torque independently to each wheel for superior traction on loose terrain.
– The vehicle can charge its battery from 10% to 80% in as little as 22 minutes using 330 kW fast charging.
– Mercedes has also tested the GLC’s handling in extreme conditions, including snow at the Arctic Circle, in addition to desert sand.
Nestled roughly one hundred miles from the vibrant lights of Las Vegas, the northern expanse of the Mojave Desert presents a formidable landscape of towering sand dunes. These impressive formations, known as the Dumont Dunes, originated millennia ago from windblown sands of ancient, dried-up lakebeds. This dramatic environment, featuring some dunes that soar hundreds of feet high, serves as a government-managed recreational area and provided the perfect proving ground for a team of Mercedes-Benz engineers. They were on-site with a fleet of preproduction, all-electric GLC prototypes, rigorously testing the vehicle’s off-road capabilities.
When we last encountered the next-generation GLC earlier this year, it was cloaked in digital camouflage at a German test facility. The automaker is now in the final stages of development before the model enters production next year. While the physical hardware is finalized, engineers are deeply immersed in refining the software, performing countless calibrations to ensure the vehicle remains composed and predictable even when the terrain beneath its wheels becomes loose and unstable.
It’s understood that most GLC owners will likely never venture far beyond an occasional rough road or a particularly deep pothole. Despite this, the vehicle is being engineered to handle significantly more challenging conditions. When equipped with the optional air suspension, the ground clearance can increase to a substantial 8.1 inches at low speeds. Even at highway velocities, as long as the vehicle remains in its more extreme Terrain mode, the clearance stays at a respectable 7.2 inches. This enhanced suspension travel allows for impressive approach and departure angles of 21.4 and 22.6 degrees, respectively, enabling the GLC to tackle steep inclines and declines without scraping its underbody.
The development program for the electric GLC extends far beyond the scorching desert. In a stark contrast to the Mojave, engineers have also been testing the vehicle’s handling on snow and ice within the Arctic Circle. This comprehensive testing regimen ensures the vehicle’s systems are honed for a wide variety of low-traction scenarios.
A key advantage for the electric GLC in these challenging environments stems from its unique powertrain layout. Unlike a conventional four-wheel-drive vehicle with a physical center differential connecting the front and rear axles, this model relies on a sophisticated electronic network. The absence of mechanical linkage is not a drawback. A suite of sensors continuously monitors the traction at each individual wheel. Torque is then intelligently and instantly distributed between the front and rear permanently excited electric motors as conditions demand. This process happens with a speed and precision that is simply unattainable for an off-roader powered by an internal combustion engine. It’s important to note that while the front motor can decouple for improved on-road efficiency, it remains permanently engaged whenever the vehicle is in one of its dedicated Terrain modes, ensuring maximum traction is always available.
Charging performance is another critical area of focus. The GLC’s battery is designed to support ultra-rapid charging, capable of replenishing the battery from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 22 minutes when connected to a capable 330 kW DC fast charger. This minimizes downtime during longer journeys. The sheer scale of the Dumont Dunes provided a visceral sense of the testing environment, with the team navigating the massive sandy slopes, a task that required careful, irregular footsteps to maintain stability on the shifting ground.
(Source: Ars Technica)
