Hopefully you’re up-to-date on the Mercedes
naming structure
now, because here come the fast ones! Following the
AMG-E43
of last week and facelifted
AMG CLA45
of, erm, Tuesday, here’s the new GLC43.
See, look, it still does off roading
If you are familiar with the names, then this will make sense; it’s the
C-Class SUV
with the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 also found in the
C-Class Coupe
Cabriolet
SLC
and, most recently, the E43. In fact it’s becoming worryingly simple to reel off the vital stats about this engine already: 367hp and 384lb ft from 2,996cc, plus a 155mph top speed. Being just five kilos heavier than the E-Class – you decide whether that’s a laudable achievement or not – the other stats are identical, with 189g/km and 34mpg the official numbers. 0-62mph takes 4.9 seconds, or crucially a whole tenth faster than a
Macan GTS
with the Sport Chrono package...
The modifications to make the GLC into an AMG will be recognisable from the other ‘43’ models. The shifts of the nine-speed auto are sharpened up, the brakes are enlarged and the steering made more “authentic”. The air suspension has a sportier tune from the Affalterbach engineers, with three damping modes also available: Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. The torque split is 31:69 front to rear. Sounding familiar?
Another fast SUV, another set of harness cut outs...
As standard, the AMG comes with 19-inch wheels, but seeing a GLC43 on 19s doesn’t seem likely when the optional rims go up to 21-inch. In fact, the bigger wheels will draw attention to the “BITURBO 4MATIC” lettering on the front wings even better. See too the new air intakes in the front bumper, the silver chrome splitter and the new exhaust. Will it be stylish enough to take people from their SQ5s?
The GLC will be shown alongside the E43 at New York next week – no prizes for guessing which is most interesting to PH – and goes on sale in April, with a “market launch” set for June. Then it will be onto the Macan Turbo rival, surely...