Also launched at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s (MBM) Luxury Like No Other event are the Mercedes-Benz GLC350e 4Matic Coupé and Mercedes-AMG GLC43 4Matic+ Coupé. Incorporating a plug-in hybrid and a mild hybrid powertrain respectively, these models replace the GLC300 4Matic Coupé in the local lineup.
Locally assembled in Pekan, Pahang, the new C254 GLC Coupé variants are priced at RM425,888 for the GLC350e and RM498,888 for the GLC43. By comparison, the outgoing GLC300 Coupé retailed at RM469,888, while the regular GLC350e is priced at RM398,888, making the lower-slung version of the latter some RM27,000 more expensive. All prices include a four-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and, on the PHEV, an eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty.
Mercedes-Benz GLC350e 4Matic Coupé
Let’s start with what will almost certainly be the more popular of the two, the GLC350e Coupé. Like the regular GLC350e, this uses a 2.0 litre M254 turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is slightly down on the GLC300’s, pushing out 204 PS at 5,800 rpm and 320 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm.
Making up for the shortfall is a much more powerful electric motor that delivers 129 PS and 440 Nm, bumping up total outputs to 313 PS and 550 Nm. All this is routed to all four wheels via a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox, enabling the GLC350e Coupé to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 220 km/h – two kilometres per hour higher than its more practical sibling.
The motor is juiced by a 31.2 kWh battery, enabling a deeply impressive all-electric range of between 119 and 131 km on the WLTP cycle, plus a top speed of 140 km/h in full electric mode. Fuel consumption, meanwhile, is rated at just 0.5 to 0.6 litres per 100 km. Unlike the E350e with the same powertrain, the GLC350e is not capable of DC fast charging, only 11 kW AC charging that takes two hours for a full charge.
Beyond the powertrain – and the self-levelling rear air suspension to compensate for the weight of the extra battery, albeit still with passive dampers – the GLC350e Coupé is pretty much identical to the GLC300 Coupé, retaining the sweeping low roofline, unique taillights and bumper design; the latter incorporates the number plate recess. About the only visual difference is the extra charging port door on the passenger side.
You also get AMG Line bodykit, LED Digital Light projector headlamps with adaptive high beam, panoramic glass sunroof, aluminium roof rails, running boards and 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels. The car, by the way, rolls on normal tyres and comes with a tyre repair kit.
No change on the inside, either, where the GLC Coupé is dominated by an 11.9-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen that runs on the latest Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), integrating the air-con controls. Also retained is the 12.3-inch digital instrument display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Qi wireless charger and 15-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system.
Visually, the GLC350e retains its AMG Line-specific items, including a split-spoke steering wheel and alloy pedals. It also comes with a Nappa-look Artico faux leather-wrapped dashboard, “metal structure” trim, Artico power-adjustable seats with memory and lumbar adjustment, and manual rear side window sunshades.
Open the hands-free powered tailgate and you’ll find a 399 litre boot – much smaller than the 545 litres you got in the GLC300 Coupé – with a prominently humped boot floor to accommodate the larger battery underneath. Other bits of standard kit include keyless entry, push-button start, dual-zone auto climate control and a 360-degree camera system with a “transparent bonnet” function.
The biggest change to the equipment list is the addition of the Driving Assistance Package Plus, finally bringing Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities to the GLC Coupé in Malaysia. This includes autonomous emergency braking, Distronic adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring with collision prevention and front and rear cross traffic alert with auto brake.
Also fitted is Pre-Safe Impulse Side, which use inflatable seat bolsters to push the driver or front passenger towards the centre of the car in the event of a side collision. Seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, come as standard.
Mercedes-AMG GLC43 4Matic+ Coupé
Next up, the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupé, the only Affalterbach-fettled GLC to be introduced in Malaysia so far. This one utilises the M139l 2.0 litre four-pot adapted from the A45S, here tuned to push out 421 PS at 6,725 rpm and 500 Nm at 5,000 rpm. Attached to the engine is a belt-driven starter-generator (BSG) that provides 14 PS and 150 Nm of accelerative boost.
With an AMG Speedshift 9G TCT auto ‘box, the GLC43 Coupé is able to complete the century sprint in just 4.8 seconds, continuing unabated until the electronic limiter calls time at 250 km/h. Keeping the car on the road is an uprated chassis that features AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers and rear wheel steering at up to 2.5 degrees.
Now that AMG has given its 43 models unique styling elements and a wider track, the GLC43 looks far meaner than its standard sibling. Changes include the trademark Panamericana grille, a bespoke front bumper with a “jet wing” design, shrouds for the (fake) rear air vents, a sizeable rear tailgate lip spoiler and a large rear diffuser with integrated quad round tailpipes.
Completing the look is the AMG Night Package, which gives the front spoiler, door mirror caps, window trims and rear diffuser a gloss black finish, as well as 21-inch Y-spoke AMG alloys.
Inside, the GLC43 is differentiated via an Nappa leather-wrapped AMG Performance steering wheel with built-in screens and rotary controllers, along with power-adjustable AMG sports seats upholstered in Artico and Microcut faux suede, carbon fibre trim and Manufaktur red seat belts.
The MBUX system also receives AMG-specific displays, including a Supersport setting for the instrument display and the AMG Track Pace lap timer and data logger. Beyond that, the equipment list is identical to the GLC350e, with the exception of a head-up display, triple-zone climate control and the larger 545-litre boot.
GALLERY: 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e 4Matic Coupé
GALLERY: 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 4Matic Coupé
