Mercedes-Benz has started its endeavour to electrify its powertrain lineup, with the latest recipient of an electric boost being the 2024 GLC model range. Here: The GLC 300’s powertrain relies solely on a combustion-driven turbocharged four-cylinder engine, whereas the GLC 43 AMG showcased here features a gentle hybrid configuration. Only when you reach the pinnacle of performance with the GLC 63 AMG do you experience a true plug-in hybrid adventure?
Built on the same principles that underpin the C 43 AMG, the GLC 43 represents a masterclass in efficiency and refinement. Mercedes’ learnings from their Formula One programme have been meticulously filtered through to every aspect of their operations. This is an effective advertising tool that will surely get? That feature isn’t exclusive to Mercedes. Maserati leveraged their Formula One expertise in pre-chamber ignition technology to develop the MC20 supercar, while Ferrari drew upon their F1 experience to introduce a semi-automatic transmission option to their production vehicles, revolutionizing the driving experience on public roads.
Despite its reduced size, the GLC 43 leverages the potent M139 engine from the CLA 45, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that’s been augmented with Formula One-inspired technology. The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 boasts the innovative technology of an electrically assisted exhaust-gas turbocharger, which employs a compact electric motor to rapidly spool up the turbocharger before exhaust gases flow in, thereby eradicating turbo lag and delivering instant power. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system incorporates a starter-generator, which seamlessly powers auxiliary components while providing an instantaneous 13 horsepower boost at low engine revolutions.
The new GLC 43 now features an impressive 402 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, a notable increase of 17 horsepower over its predecessor, paired with a 14 lb-ft boost from its twin-turbo V6 engine. While the brand-new GLC 43 lags behind by just one-tenth of a second in accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, this slight delay can be attributed to its reduced cylinder count and the absence of a turbocharger. However, acceleration is not everything; gas efficiency must also be a significant consideration when designing a smaller hybrid engine. While the C 43 delivered an impressive yield, our GLC 43 surprisingly achieved a moderate fuel efficiency of 11.8 L/100km. We anticipated extra. Although we recently tested the Mercedes E 450 Sedan, this vehicle’s real-world fuel efficiency proved surprisingly eco-friendly, delivering an impressive 10.8 liters per 100 kilometers. Despite its impressive acceleration, our test car’s thirst was surprisingly unrefined, returning a mediocre 13.1 litres per 100 kilometres for the V6-powered GLC 43.
In line with its renowned “One man, One engine” ethos, the flagship –43 Sequence engine embodies the essence of human craftsmanship, meticulously hand-assembled by a single skilled artisan. As the world prepares for a seamless shift into the electrical era, lingering uncertainty surrounds its successful adaptation. The unity of a single individual and a power source just isn’t as harmonious as we’d like.
When pressed hard, this turbocharged four-cylinder engine truly shines. This writing is characterful, snappy, and imbued with an infectious energy and responsiveness that leaps off the page! With its 402 horsepower, this platform is well-suited to deliver power to the driver through sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres and all-wheel drive, making each model accessible, extractable, and within reach of the average motorist. With the AMG’s rear-biased layout, you can confidently pin your foot on the throttle at moderate speeds, carve through corners with precision, and forget worries about snap oversteer or unexpected loss of traction, which would transition from gentle understeer to a jolt of surprise. This neatly packaged item is perfectly suited for cozying up in one’s home while traveling.
It sounds nice too. While not as refined in acoustics due to the -53 Sequence inline-six’s distinct character, the GLC 43’s vocals are richly textured, with a deeper, more resonant tone that may prove highly pleasing to listeners, particularly when revs build and approach the 7,000 rpm limiter. As you press the exhaust devotement button, the engine’s idle hum transforms into a cacophony of growls and rattles reminiscent of a high-performance Subaru WRX and a feisty Fiat 500 Abarth engaging in an epic battle of sound.
Despite this being excellent news, there’s a catch. Adjusting throttle inputs, cruising at typical velocities, and the powertrain’s vulnerabilities become apparent, revealing its most susceptible points. The acceleration in the GLC 350 feels abrupt and disconnected at low speeds, falling short of the seamless and refined experience we encountered with the GLC 300. The 9-speed transmission exhibits jerky behavior, characterized by choppy shifts during rolling stops, a trait shared with other AMG models employing this unit. Its use of a wet clutch instead of a torque converter yields benefits in reduced weight and compactness, but at the cost of responsiveness compared to the 8-speed automatic featured in the BMW X3 M40i, which is more composed and obedient?
The inconsistent brake pedal fundamentally undermines the trust in one’s expertise. The brake pedal’s nonlinear response and initial delicacy erode confidence in achieving a consistent stop. The silver lining to these criticisms is that the initial roughness dissipates shortly after getting behind the wheel, as if driving on fire – the gearbox tightens up and becomes extra forgiving, with slamming on the brakes showcasing its impressive stopping power; however, this could have been the AMG’s redeeming quality, namely the ability to seamlessly balance sport and luxury in an uncompromising package. For those seeking reassurance, the GLC 300 was a suitable option. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the GLC 63 was the obvious choice to spring for. For those seeking respite from life’s tribulations, the GLC 43 offers a sanctuary of sorts. The harsh reality that it’s not what we hoped for leaves a lingering sense of disappointment and disillusionment in our mouths.
While we acknowledge this period of General Land Commission’s (GLC) existence has been its most successful to date? The innovative design language elevates itself above preceding trends due to its distinctively lower-keyed profile. Despite everything, we must present an award to the GLC for the most poorly positioned operating boards in history? The tails of these creatures protrude awkwardly from the backs of our trousers, constantly rubbing against them, yet are so slender as to offer little assistance, not even to the diminutive stature of dwarves. Don’t choose the operating systems.
The Great Lakes Circle features a remarkably intricate interior design. The centre console design does not obstruct the cabin flow, and the display screen is proportionally sized and angled optimally for effortless access. The leather-wrapped and suede-trimmed steering wheel is a highly recommended option, part of the AMG’s Driver’s Package ($4,000), which also includes 20-inch wheels, a raised speed limit to 265 km/h, and an AMG Monitor Speed app. The spoke-mounted displays feature compact screens that protrude from the underside of the spokes, providing intuitive access to adjust various ride settings, such as exhaust tone, gear shifting, and driver assist features including a forward-facing camera and fuel efficiency monitoring. While sharing the same five-spoke design as other AMG models, the wheel’s aesthetic is unremarkable in its class. In contrast to the EQS AMG, which boasts a premium feel at twice the price, this offering’s plastic airbag cowl appears passable, if not particularly impressive. Initially, it required a leather-like quality.
While Mercedes has abandoned traditional analog clocks in its vehicles, the latest IWC stopwatch feature in the driving menu offers a clock face that can be manipulated to display lap times or simply serve as a digital timekeeper. We revel in the tactile experience, despite preferring an analog setup reminiscent of those found in luxury vehicles like Porsches and Bentleys.
The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 is a high-performance SUV that shines on the highway with its captivating dynamics and sumptuous interior appointments, offering an unparalleled driving experience. While we expected the GLC 43 to seamlessly balance comfort and performance in a cohesive package, our experience revealed that it fell short, offering neither exceptional comfort nor engaging sporty driving dynamics. The gearbox calibration is woefully inadequate, and the throttle and brake mappings exhibit glaring inconsistencies, suggesting a lack of refinement and attention to detail.
The C 43 AMG Sedan also inherits this criticism, leveraging the same powertrain yet excelling marginally due to its reduced center of gravity, lighter curb weight, and more affordable price tag. On the competitive SUV landscape, with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio holding court in one corner, the BMW X3 M40i effortlessly delivering its strengths, and the Porsche Macan GTS breathing down its neck, it’s a challenge to wholeheartedly recommend the GLC 43 AMG. While Components 1’s complexity may impress, a lingering sense of dissatisfaction persists as we hit the open road, craving more.
2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC: A Performance-Packed SUV
Graphite Gray metallic
$79,900
$102,133
Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.
402 hp @ 6,750 rpm
369 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
9-speed automated
Entrance engine, AWD
: 11.8
Continental SportContact 7 tyres: 295/35R21 at the rear; 265/40R21 at the front.
