Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC

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 dashboard of the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 is taken directly off the W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, featuring three circular air vents in the centre and a long ‘waterfall-like’ middle console with a large storage space with lid. Being an AMG model, both variants of the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 gets the dashboard and upper sections of the door panels lined with Artico material (simulated leather) and contrasting double stitching in red. 

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

The non-facelifted models of 2017 to 2019 get the traditional dial and multi-info display meters. The graphics have been upgraded by the AMG team, featuring non-italicised font, a linear speedometer reading up to 280 km/h and more AMG content in the multi-info display such as temperatures and turbo boost pressure.

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 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 offers lots of headroom and legroom inside courtesy of its large dimensions. As for the GLC 43 SUV, the rear headroom is accommodating, but it does feel tight once three adults are seated behind.
The large storage space with two cupholders and room for smartphones see no changes. 

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 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 continues to offer 7 airbags inclusive of a driver’s knee airbag. In terms of advanced safety systems, both Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 variants get Mercedes-Benz proprietary Pre-safe system, Active Brake Assist (AEB) and Active Parking Assist with Parktronic and a 360-degree Surround Camera system.

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

The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 SUV and GLC 43 Coupe gets plenty of standard equipment, such as the three-zone automatic air-conditioning system, manual door sunshades, Artico leather/Dinamica microfibre upholstery, ambient lighting, red seat belts and sports seats with heating function.

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

The audio system in the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 is the Burmester 13-speaker system, 590-Watt surround sound system maintaining the intricately designed metallic speaker grilles. With the interior space being larger than a sedan, powerful speakers are even placed at the edge of the roof, next to the tailgate opening.

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

The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 features one of the best engines from Mercedes-Benz in recent memory. The twin-turbocharged V6 engine displaces 3.0 litres and generates up to 367 PS at 5,500 rpm to 6,000 rpm and 520 Nm of torque available from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm.

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

Power is sent to all-wheel four wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission with special Mercedes AMG tuning, as such, it is called the AMG Speedshift TCT 9G. Large shift paddles are fitted on the steering wheel and a dedicated manual mode button allows for full manual control of the gear selection.

Chassis

Both variants of the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 SUV and GLC 43 Coupe comes with the AMG suspension upgrades. This means adding the AMG sports suspension with Air Body Control air suspension system, AMG Dynamic Select adaptive damping system and upgraded suspension members and alignment.

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

Power is sent to all-wheel four wheels via a permanent all-wheel drive system called the Mercedes-AMG Performance 4Matic. Unique to this AMG 43 series is the torque distribution, with the rear axle allocated with 69% and the rest to the front.

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 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 with either 367 PS or 390 PS and 520 Nm of torque complete the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds. The top speed is limited to 250 km/h. Things we love about this Biturbo engine is the plateau of torque it has, from 2,000 rpm all the way to 5,000 rpm. Thanks to the spread of the nine-speed AMG TCT gearbox, the engine feels so tractable in every gear, in every situation.

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

The first gear is really short, thus it is rarely used unless doing drag races. Leaving it in automatic mode sees the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 drive like any regular GLC 200 or GLC 300- smooth, refined and comfortable.

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

The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 is really a delight to drive, thanks to the responsiveness of the steering and uninterrupted by the front torque from the AMG Performance 4Matic 4WD system. We could drive it like a hot hatchback and the GLC 43 happily returns and wants to entertain even more. The AMG GLC 43 is perhaps the best choice for moving people and luggage over a windy kampung road in wet conditions.  

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 – Ride Comfort

Soundproofing

The soundproofing of the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 is relatively good. Engine and road noise settles to a quiet hum in Eco and Comfort modes, while driving it like what AMG communicates means all the good exhaust noises enter the cabin like a well-played orchestra.

Passenger comfort

All occupants have plenty of headroom, shoulder room and knee room in the AMG GLC 43 SUV. The massive success of the GLC variant comes from the spacious and practical interior. In the aspect of passenger comfort, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 does not have a supple riding comfort. Occupants tend to feel more harshness on uneven roads but this is acceptable given the high-performance nature of the AMG tuning.  

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 – Conclusion

The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 has been a hit for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and its dealers. The product is a success and proves that a ‘softer’ AMG can deliver utility and performance that brings satisfaction to the owners. With so much space, utility yet power and handling prowess, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 is truly is a one-car for all occasions. And with local assembly bringing prices to a lower level, there are certainly not many premium vehicles that look good like the AMG GLC 43 Coupe that goes so fast yet fun to drive and within the RM500,000 price tag.