The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe Is India-Bound
- by Siddharth
- Jul 11, 2017
- | Views: 3214
To be launched on July 21, this will be the company's second all-new AMG model to be introduced in India this year
The AMG brand is 50 years old and in India, it began the celebrations with the launch of the limited edition G 63 'Edition 463' and the all-new GLS 63. Mercedes-AMG is going to continue with the performance SUV onslaught this year with the launch of the all-new GLC 43 4MATIC Coupe.
Yes, we are getting the crazy-but-not-so-crazy version of the C-Class based SUV in its Coupe form, for now (or maybe ever). The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe sacrifices rearward visibility and rear passenger comfort (for taller people) for added 'style'.
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The launch will continue Mercedes' trend of offering mostly coupe performance SUV variants in India; the GLC 43 Coupe will join the GLA 45 and the GLE 43 Coupe. Non-coupe performance SUVs in the range are now limited to the GLS 63 and the G 63.
What's new? Well, there's, of course, all the added AMG bits to the bodywork. The diamond-pattern grille at the front, reworked front bumper, 20-inch alloy wheels, a larger boot lip spoiler and faux 'quadruple' exhausts are the visual additions which set the GLC 43 Coupe apart from its less sporty brethren.
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Inside, the changes include sports seats, paddle shifters behind the flat-bottom steering wheel and a sportier interior theme which includes a darker upholstery, red contrast stitching and red seat belts. The instrument cluster in the GLC 43 Coupe gets a checkered flag background. Otherwise, the cabin is as luxurious, comfortable and feature-laden as the standard GLC crossover.
The majority of the changes are under the skin. The GLC 43 Coupe is powered by a 3.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V6 petrol motor developing 367PS of maximum power and 520Nm of peak torque. This engine does not get the 'One Man - One Engine' treatment like the more powerful '63' models.
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A 9-speed quick shifting automatic transmission allows the 1.9-tonne SUV to complete the 0-100kmph stint in 4.9 seconds and go on to hit an electronically-governed top speed of 250kmph. The 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system is tuned to be rear-wheel biased under normal conditions by up to 69 per cent, claims Mercedes.
Air suspension with three selectable ride modes (comfort, sport, sport+) is offered as standard. The drive modes also control the throttle response and steering resistance. The 20-inch wheels are clad in 255/45 tyres at the front and 285/40 tyres at the rear for better traction.
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The GLC 43 Coupe competes against the BMW X4 M, Audi SQ5, Jaguar F-Pace and Porsche Macan in most markets. The BMW X4 and Audi SQ5 are not on sale in India, the Jaguar F-Pace is not offered with the more powerful supercharged petrol motor and the Porsche Macan S is not on sale here too. The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC Coupe will stand out as a unique offering for those aspiring to buy a not-so-excessive (in terms of cost and performance) sporty SUV/crossover.