Mercedes-AMG has taken the covers off of the new GLC 43 4Matic and GLC 43 4Matic Coupe facelifts, which not only benefit from a more powerful engine, but also styling and equipment updates.
The M276 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine is here to stay, and it now makes 385 hp (390 PS) from 5,500 to 6,000 rpm. Compared to the pre-facelift engine, this represents an increase of 23 hp (23 PS), although peak torque remains unchanged at 520 Nm from 2500 to 4500 rpm.
Mated to the mill is a nine-speed AMG Speedshift TCT automatic transmission and a rear-biased AMG Performance 4Matic all-wheel drive system that can distribute torque following a 31:69 split front-to-rear.
Aside from the go fast bits, all GLC 43 cars come as standard with AMG Ride Control+, which is based on the Air Body Control multi-chamber air suspension with AMG-specific Adaptive Damping System (ADS Plus). Also present is an electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering with variable ratios, and AMG Dynamic Select system.
The latter offers drivers five drive modes – Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual – all linked to a supplementary AMG Dynamics agility control system. This affects the control threshold of the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), and depending on which of the five primary drive modes is selected at the time, the system is set to either Basic or Advanced.
In terms of performance, it doesn’t matter if you go with the standard or Coupe version of the GLC 43, as both will sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 250 km/h. It’s just a matter of deciding if you want a regular-looking SUV, or one that has been injected with some coupe DNA.
Moving on to styling changes, both models now come with the Panamericana radiator grille like on the manic GLC 63 cars, and this extends to also include new headlamps with restyled daytime running lights and taillights with ring-shaped graphics.
The new front bumper may appear similar to the GLC 63 models, but look closely and you’ll notice the corner “intakes” are covered up, making it easy for surrounding humans to identify the GLC 43 as the “mild Peri Peri” AMG SUV.
Another way to spot the new GLC 43 is the more expressive diffuser element at the rear, which is also joined by four circular exhaust outlets. For wheels, the standard fitment here is a 19-inch variant with AMG lettering, with five further rims available that range from 19 to 21 inches in size.
Inside, the GLC 43 models are identical to the rest of the facelifted range, with major updates being the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system that consists of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster display and 10.25-inch primary touchscreen for infotainment. As this is branded a Mercedes-AMG model, you get three specific displays – Classic, Sport and Supersport – for the former.
Other changes include a new steering wheel design with Touch Control buttons, which is wrapped in Dinamica microfibre. Upgrading to the AMG Performance steering wheel nets you additional buttons and a dial to quickly change dynamic functions.
X253 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic facelift
C253 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe facelift
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Proton what? China what? Git gud scrubs. MB4life ya cheap knockoffs.
this 3.0 liter engine makes less power than the 2.0 engine in a45. just am observation