Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic: the German SUV gets its sporty edge back

“SUV” and “sporty” not only in the same sentence once again, but in a single vehicle, a pairing that should neither surprise nor alarm us. Mercedes-AMG has shown on countless occasions its ability to add a much spicier touch to its most exuberant vehicles, and the newly renewed GLC is a clear example of this. For now we have no news of the 63 variants, but the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic has paved the way for those future versions. In the meantime, a no-less-than-impressive 390 CV V6 will be in charge of bringing the entry-level AMG variant of the German SUV to life.

Just as with the C-Class, the GLC’s saloon and coupé counterpart, we find different power levels once the AMG badge is applied. The 43 is responsible for offering performance that is more “modest” than what the 63 unlocks, but, without a doubt, it delivers unprecedented sportiness.

Power the old-fashioned way

It is true that Mercedes-AMG is already beginning to work with vehicles featuring mild-hybrid systems, as with the E53 AMG. However, in the case of the GLC 43 AMG in both SUV and Coupé body styles, we find a mechanical layout more similar to that of its bigger siblings, one that aims to deliver a purer and more immediate delivery of power. How does it do it? Let’s find out.

Beneath the bonnet of these two vehicles lies a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 capable of producing 390 CV of power and 520 Nm of torque. With this output, both the GLC 43 SUV and the Coupé are able to sprint to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

To manage these figures, the engineers at Mercedes-AMG have relied on two fundamental components found in practically any vehicle of this character. The 4Matic all-wheel-drive system ensures that power delivery is always as efficient as possible, preventing any loss of traction. Meanwhile, the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9-speed automatic gearbox manages both power and torque so that they come into play according to what the driver demands.

For now, the price of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic in both Coupé and SUV form is unknown, while that of the other variants is already available. With this in mind, it is only a matter of time before the brand with the star returns to the 63 and 63 S, the two top-of-the-range performance variants that once demonstrated their ability to break records.