Mercedes Unveils Pixelated Grille on Electric GLC, Heralding a New Design Language

Mercedes-Benz has revealed a striking new pixelated grille design for its upcoming all electric GLC, a bold redefinition of the iconic front end that blends heritage styling with futuristic tech.

Design Elements & Features

Under the brand’s new “Sensual Purity” design philosophy, the GLC EV sports a large chrome frame surrounding a smoked glass effect lattice filled with a grid of 942 pixel-like dots, many of which are LED backlit and animated.

Optionally, drivers can choose the illuminated grille configuration with dynamic animations - think light “greetings,” breathing pulses, or motion cues—creating a “living face” for the car.

Even the central three-pointed star and the grille contour glow when illuminated, although lighting rules vary by market (e.g. Europe often restricts certain elements).

What Prompted the Change?

According to Mercedes design leadership, this is more than an aesthetic gesture - it's intended to reassert “unmistakable Mercedesness” across EVs in an era crowded with newcomer brands, particularly from China.

The design takes inspiration from early Mercedes heritage, including the 1902 Mercedes Simplex, which featured a square tubed honeycomb grille, and the tradition reemerged in the 1950s models and beyond.

Executives have said that in EVs, where cooling isn’t required, the grille has evolved from pure function into an illuminated work of art, matching status expectations and brand identity through clean lines and lighting cues.

What’s Next: Roll out & Wider Adoption

The GLC EV will officially debut at the IAA Mobility show in Munich on September 7, 2025, with production and deliveries likely starting in late 2025 or early 2026.

Mercedes confirms that future EV models—and even some gas and hybrid vehicles—will adopt the pixelated grille style, with variations tailored to each body style and trim level.