Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 – Overview

Apart from the usual Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 and GLC 300 SUVs, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia also offers the AMG GLC 43 that is packed with more power, dynamism and all within the great utility of the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Globally, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 competes with other performance-flavoured, six-cylinder powered, mid-sized SUVs such as BMW X3 M40i, Audi SQ5 and both are not available in Malaysia, thus placing the GLC 43 the segment creator and leader.

In Malaysia, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 has quite a few prices due to its changing product lifecycle as well as sourcing. Debuting as a fully-imported model in 2017, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 was priced at RM538,888 for the wagon SUV and RM580,888 for the Coupe.

With a strong desire to become the leader in all price segments, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia decided to locally assemble both the AMG C43 sedan and the AMG GLC 43 SUV a year later in 2018, bringing the price down significantly to RM468,888. The GLC 43 Coupe maintained as CBU sourcing until much later in late 2020 plus some pricing adjustments see its price dip down to RM508,598 thanks to assembly in Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Pekan’s plant in Pahang. 

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 – Exterior

The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 range features few but key upgrades compared to the regular variants. Both the GLC 43 SUV and GLC 43 Coupe feature dedicated AMG front and rear bumpers with deeper profiles, darkened exhaust tips and ‘BITURBO 4Matic’ emblems on the front fenders.

The side mirror covers and window surround trims are gloss black too. Large silver-painted sports brake calipers are used, and surrounded by large 21-inch wheels with staggered sizing. The rear wheels are so wide that the unpainted wheel arch extensions are not only widened but also feature a small protrusion for better aerodynamics.As the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 SUV was not facelifted, it features the older diamond pin grille with chrome louvre with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia ending its sale in 2020. 

The facelifted Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 Coupe features the large Panamericana vertical grille bars, restyled LED headlamps with DRL signature lighting, new taillamps, new alloy wheel design and rear bumper featuring quad exhaust tips. Standard features across both AMG GLC 43 SUV and AMG GLC 43 Coupe includes aluminium side steps, sliding moonroof and hands-free entry with power operating tailgate.  

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 – Interior

Dashboard

The central panel is finished in rather uninspiring gloss black plastic. As such, black open-pore black ash wood trim was then made available in the 2020 facelifted Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 Coupe variant, and the delightful-to-touch trim is extended to the door panels. The lower section of switches houses the AMG Dynamic Agility setting, manual mode for the transmission, AMG suspension setting and exhaust valve setting for the AMG Sports exhaust system. 

In the 2020 facelifted Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 Coupe, the steering wheel has been replaced with a more technical-looking Mercedes-AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa Leather and two touch-sensitive panels on the steering spokes to operate the newly-designed MBUX-powered infotainment and driver’s instrument cluster. The central commander dial at the lower console has been discontinued with the fitment of the latest generation MBUX system, replaced with a large and simplified touchpad.

Instrument cluster

Pairing with the new MBUX infotainment central display is the new driver’s instrument cluster, fully digital display measuring 12.3 inches and only available in the facelifted 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 Coupe. A high degree of information is displayed with even fitted with an exclusive AMG graphics theme.

Space and practicality

The armrest in the rear seat also has a shallow storage compartment and two cupholders. We love how large the door pockets are, moulded to keep up to three bottles per front door! The rear doors meanwhile feature a storage space deep enough for a 1-litre bottle.

When it comes to boot space, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 SUV is listed at 550 litres when the rear seats are at normal position, while the GLC 43 Coupe with the sloping roofline sees 50 litres less at 500 litres. In both models, the rear seats also have a 40-20-40 split folding orientation for added versatility.  

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 – Features

Safety features

The new facelifted 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 Coupe meanwhile comes updated with the Mercedes me connected service as standard fit. This makes the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 Coupe connected to a dedicated service provider and some key features can be accessed from the smartphone app. A dedicated SOS button is located at the overhead switch panel.

Comfort features

In the AMG GLC 43 SUV, the larger roof panel is fitted with a two-piece panoramic glass roof, while in the AMG GLC 43 Coupe, the sloping roof only allows for a regular tilt-and-slide moonroof.

Infotainment

When introduced in 2017, the infotainment system is the COMAND Online architecture that pairs an 8.4-inch central display with a commander dial and a writing pad. Operating the infotainment system took some getting used to as it was not a touchscreen, but the screen was placed so far ahead of the dashboard in a very counterintuitive method.

The facelifted 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 Coupe gets the updated MBUX system that features the large fully digital 12.3-inch driver’s instrument cluster and 10.25-inch central infotainment display. 

Control input can be done via touching the screen, the new large touchpad or capacitive touch-sensitive pad on the steering wheel as well as the famous “Hey Mercedes” voice command. The new MBUX interface is so much easier to use than the old commander dial system. Two USB-C charging ports are placed inside the front armrest console box.

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 – Powertrain

Engine

In the facelifted 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 Coupe, power has been bumped up further to 390 PS, extending to 6,100 rpm while the 520 Nm of torque also extends longer, to 5,000 rpm.

Transmission

Chassis

The silver-painted large sports four-piston brake caliper clamp onto larger 360 mm disc at the front with 320 mm size at the rear. Drivers can also lower or raise the ground clearance of the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 at a touch of a button, whilst the vehicle will automatically lower itself for better handling stability.

As for the tyres, 255/40R21 performance tyres are fitted at the front, while the rear features a wider 285/35R21 size.
There are no off-road capabilities in the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 variants.

Drivetrain

This rarely seen rear-to-front torque biasing perhaps hits the sweetest spot, especially with the torque spread of the Biturbo V6. Acceleration out of corners is amazing as it doesn’t disrupt the steering, leaving the driver very satisfied with the steering precision and agility while being impatient with the throttle load. 

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 – Driving Performance

Engine performance

The engine and exhaust note also carries plenty of emotional appeal. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 sings louder and louder as it approaches its 6,500 rpm redline, while the AMG Sports exhaust muffler crackles and pops giving it the proper AMG experience.

Transmission performance

Pushing the AMG Dynamic Select to Sport and the gears lower down to be closer to the optimum power band of the Biturbo engine. In full manual mode, the shift qualities are commendable, feeling direct and shifting fast. Downshifts are also well-executed, together with rev-matching and exhaust burbles.

Steering and handling

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 – Ride Comfort

Soundproofing

Passenger comfort

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 – Fuel Economy

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 – Conclusion