BMW iX3 crowned World Car of the Year 2026 as EVs lead the way
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
- Industry News
- 2 April 2026
Don’t feel like a C-Class or a GLC SUV? Well, the new Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé ticks all the boxes. The new GLC SUV sibling is now locally available with a two-model line-up.
What’s new?
The GLC Coupé is new, and the sportier coupé body shape, connected to SUV styling cues, makes for an interesting vehicle.
Exterior:
The overall visual statement is defined by the sporty coupé silhouette. Other characteristics include the simulated chrome under-guard, the roof rails painted in black and the optional running boards. New contoured side edges make a model-specific statement.
The headlights gently connect to the radiator grille, another visual highlight with the Mercedes-Benz pattern.
Interior:
The GLC Coupé’s interior combines sportiness with contemporary styling, with the dashboard horizontally divided into two sections, generous trim surfaces and a portrait-format central display that appears to float above them. For the first time, the GLC Coupé is now offered with a Panoramic sunroof.
Equipment:
The Hey Mercedes voice assistant is even more responsive, with optimised learning capabilities. The MBUX Smart Home function turns the GLC Coupé into a mobile control centre for the networked home. The MBUX Voice Assistant is now enhanced with a new Mercedes me Service app
– the “Tour guide” acoustic travel guide.
The MBUX fully integrates all the major music-streaming providers, including personal preferences and settings. The optional Burmester® surround sound system offers 15 premium speakers and a total output of 710 watts.
Engines:
The GLC Coupé offers four-cylinder diesel units, namely the GLC 220 d and GLC 300 d. These are mild-hybrid units with an integrated second-generation starter-generator (ISG).
The GLC 220 d two litre-engine delivers 145 kW and 440 Nm torque, while the GLC 300 d 4MATIC with the same engine is good for 198 kW and 550 Nm torque.
Technical:
The sports suspension and variable-ratio steering are standard with the new GLC Coupé. Other components are a new four-link front axle system and a multi-link independent rear suspension with a rear-mounted tie rod. This offsets lateral forces, which stabilise the handling characteristics. The AIRMATIC air suspension has variably adjustable damping for compression and rebound.
Pricing:
GLC 220 d 4MATC (R1 392 350) and the GLC 300 d 4MATIC (R1 447 350).
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
Retail new vehicle sales continue to surge in South Africa despite global and regional conflicts, local floods and droughts.
South Africa’s new vehicle market delivered a standout performance in March 2026, extending its domestic growth trajectory to the strongest level seen in nearly two decades.
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