Another day, another AMG.
Or so it seems as Mercedes' performance car division continues to expand its onslaught. The latest is one of the new breed of AMG models that bridge the gap between the regular Benz line-up and the full-blown German muscle cars.
It is the GLC43, which joins the C43 sedan, wagon, Coupe and Cabriolet getting the same powertrain and suspension modifications by AMG. The SUV is powered by the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive system.
The engine is tuned to produce 270kW of power and 520Nm, that's an extra 115kW and 170Nm above the GLC 250 and leaves space for the imminent arrival for the GLC63 to sit above it.
But for now this is the GLC range's new hero and fills the role nicely. Standard gear includes AMG's adjustable air suspension with Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes to give it a more dynamic edge than the rest of the range.
There is also more rubber on the road, with standard 21-inch AMG alloys wrapped in 255/40 tyres up front and 285/35 on the rear (compared to 255/45 and 255/45 on the GLC 250).
AMG's handiwork is evident as soon as you fire up the GLC43, there's more intent to the engine note, even at idle.
On the move the nine-speed auto works well, one of the best of its kind, with smooth changes and an intuition about what the right ratio is.
Driven sedately the GLC43 has all the same manners you're accustomed to with the GLC, but when you get the chance to unleash the full potential of the engine it doesn't disappoint. There's a mean growl from the V6 that matches strong mid-range punch.
Mercedes claims it will do the 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.9-seconds and from the driver's seat it doesn't feel like a boast. In the sport modes the transmission reacts quickly to extract maximum performance from the engine.
Thanks to the air suspension the ride and handling is a match for the engine too. Even in Comfort settings the ride is on the firm ride, but not as uncomfortable as the regular GLC's steel spring set-up.
In Sport and Sport+ the suspension tightens and improves the responsiveness of the GLC... to a point. This is after all still an SUV and as such there is more lean into the corners than you get from the rest of the C-Class AMG 43 range.
Push it hard through a corner and it doesn't take much for it to begin to understeer (the front wheels pushing wide), but that it to be expected in such a tall vehicle.
It looks the part too with an AMG bodykit as standard, along with leather upholstery, navigation, head-up display and a Burmester surround sound system.
On the safety front you get nine airbags, a 360 degree camera, adaptive cruise control, active lane keeping assist, active blind spot assist and autonomous emergency braking.
The GLC43 is priced from $101,400 (plus on-road costs) which more than $30,000 more than the GLC 250 and puts the AMG in the same ballpark as the Audi SQ5 Plus (from $108,900) and Porsche Macan GTS (from $109,200). But it has no trouble holding its own against those rivals.
If you want the most dynamic version of the AMG 43 you're better off looking at the sedan or coupe. The GLC offers up a different experience with all the space and practicality of an SUV but with the heart of a sporty car.
2016 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 4Matic pricing and specifications
On sale: Now
Price: $101,400 plus on-road costs
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol
Power: 270kW at 5500-6000rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 2500-4500rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Fuel use: 8.8L/100km
12 Comments
The truth | 2016-12-08 04:50:56
Understeer to be expected is not good enough when there are vehicles less than half the cost that have it engineered out by way of stability control. More overpriced Eurotrash.
Mr Majestyk | 2016-12-08 05:08:54
All Eurotrash is an egregious rip-off in Australia. They think we are morons and als far too many pay their insane prices for them to care at all.
Nathan | 2016-12-08 05:30:43
Positives are that it looks great inside and out, top quality and im sure the engine will be superb. Negatives are it will be considered eurotrash to people who cant afford it.
stevecro Nathan | 2016-12-08 21:46:15
yes, it does seem like that.
benzbug | 2016-12-08 05:41:35
Hope the Navigation System in COMAND is better than in the other GLC Models. Stinks. Logic flaws. Last-minute calls to change direction - e.g., from the far western lane on the Harbour Bridge to a middle lane - peak hour traffic - 30m notice. You can go anywhere in Sydney and you won't get the suburb name - just Sydney. Dealer can't fix. Benz no help. Got an email by mistake from the NSW chief techo for Benz who says that it's series standard - which is a nice way of saying to the punter p***off.
Far Queue | 2016-12-08 09:14:05
Yes eurotrash only to those battlers who could never themselves actually afford one, better they stick to their Korean faire might be more to their liking err budget. Had a drive of the GLA45 the slightly more practical version of the A45 and let me tell you Ive never had so much fun driving a Hatch crossover SUV, can only hope the GLC63 as a proper SUV is just as fun with a stonking V8 under the bonnet. Have to give it to Mercedes they keep producing brilliant cars they like Jaguar are on a seriously good run.
WallyMan | 2016-12-08 10:08:46
Bring out the ugly stick, thus one deserves a sound beating
Jono | 2016-12-08 10:42:08
Have just driven 400 km in new glc 43. Must say I'm impressed, engine is a delight, suspension and tyres better than I thought they would be on rough country roads, interior is very well designed and put together. Super easy to drive around town too and safety tech is impressive. Still getting used to auto steering on cruise but it works pretty well. Comand System is good, no weird instructions so far. The 360 degree camera is a great addition to a reasonably large car, especially when trying to avoid scraping 21 inch wheels.
AJL | 2016-12-08 20:52:29
Hey @Thetruth.....just maybe the engineers know more than you do. Pushed hard enough around a corner a car as powerful as this can do one of 4 things........understeer, oversteer, drift sideways neutrally, or roll over! Given these care are designed to be driven on public roads, and we don't want them to kill is, engineering for the 2nd two options is not advised. So the engineers get the choice......allow oversteer, or understeer. Inevitably understeer is the preferred option, as when it happens drivers almost always automatically back off the power, generally restoring control before its too late. Build in oversteer and the chances are by the time the average driver notices it.....its too late and they have catastrophically lost control. From my understanding that's why allowing some level or underster is actually built in...not because the engineers were incompetent and the car is eurotrash. And YES....stability control assists the whole process, but its NOT infallible.
stevecro | 2016-12-08 21:45:08
I can't afford one but I won't bag the car out for that. No axe to grind here - the Germans are killing 'em. Years ahead of the Japanese who it seems played it too safe and battened down the hatches during WFC. Maybe 4 years down the track they'll be going for 70K
Obyone | 2016-12-08 22:07:44
I just don't get this high powered SUV thing, if you want the handling and performance of a sports car in an SUV it will never happen. Better to buy 2 cars , one SUV and one sports car. It's impossible to combine the 2 together, these SUV's have too much power for their handling capabilities. An SUV can never be anything but an SUV
stevecro | 2016-12-09 00:20:48
@ Obyone - I hear ya - but any vehicle can be made to go fast safely in a straight line. Power makes some people feel a bit special I guess, while others will know their loaded SUV can overtake uphill on trips etc and not feel they're in a van from the 80s, shamefully crawling into the slow lane ahead while still using lots of petrol.