We first laid eyes on what would be the Mercedes GLC Coupe when it unleashed its design concept at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show. A year later, the production version – one that was quite similar to the year-old concept – saw the light of day at the New York Auto Show. Right away, I filed the design off as precarious, as it’s one of those vehicles that doesn’t really fall into the car, crossover, or SUV categories. In short, it has a coupe-like body with SUV underpinnings and a shoddy little four-cylinder that produces all of about 241 horsepower. Compared to its SUV counterpart, the standard GLC, the car was extremely similar with the biggest different between the two limited to a different roof line and different rear quarter windows. We knew it wouldn’t take long for a Mercedes-AMG branded variant to make its debut, and sure enough, six months later here we are looking at the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe.

When we originally reviewed the standard GLC Coupe, we pointed out that, at the time, the car had seen some wildly mixed opinions. To put it simply, it’s one of those vehicles that you either hate or love, with little to middle ground anywhere in sight. Comments left by some of you on our GLC Coupe review reflected this perfectly – some users saying things like it's “not bad at all” while others say it is a “waste of money” or “please God, make them stop.” (Seriously, these comments are really there.) Apparently, sales were good enough to give it the AMG treatment, and maybe, just maybe, that 3.0-liter, Biturbo, V-6 with 362 ponies will help make the car more desirable.

According to Tobias Moers, the Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG, said, “The new GLC43 Coupe is characterized by a high level of agility and sporty driving dynamics. With its expressive design and high everyday practicality, the Coupe is able to appeal to new target audiences.” And, maybe it does, but let’s take a closer look at the GLC43 now that it has made its official debut and talk a little more about it.

Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe.

2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 364
  • Torque: 384
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

In typical Mercedes-AMG fashion, the GLC43 Coupe is still quite similar to its non-AMG counterpart. But, it does get the standard AMG treatment which does help it to stand out a bit. I feel like normally we see a slightly different fascia on AMG models, but with the GLC43, that isn’t exactly the case. The fascia is the same, but the trim has changed a bit. The corner vents still feature the same black mesh, but now have a pair of horizontal slats running across the inside. That weird silver trim that surrounds the air dam on the non-AMG version is gone and the air dam now has a single horizontal slat positioned about an inch from the bottom of the fascia. A new trim element now runs across the entire width of the fascia on the bottom. It still features those square cutouts below the air damn, but they are outlined in that silver trim. The edge of that trim element is finished in chrome. The headlights and hood are the same, but the radiator grille now has the typical AMG diamond look.

Moving over to the sides, there really isn’t any major changes to the GLC43. Compared to its non-AMG counterpart, the only real difference is the chrome trim that has been added to the side skirt which lines up with the chrome strip on the fascia up front. The big news here is that new set of high-sheen, 20-inch AMG wheels finished in high-gloss black. These light allow wheels feature a staggered fitment and are wrapped with 255/45-series tires up front and 285/40-series tires out back. There are other wheels available as optional equipment with the maximum size reaching as much as 21-inches. On a side note, the wheels shown in the images here are way more stylish that the stock wheels on the standard GLC Coupe.

Around back, Mercedes claims the GLC 43 has an AMG-specific rear bumper. What they really mean is that the rear fascia has been fitted with a chrome trim insert below the license plate recess. There are also chrome exhaust tips that sit flush with the rear bumper. Like most AMG models, these chrome tips are divided in the middle by a vertical louver to give a dual-outlet look on each corner. And there you have it. There’s not really a whole lot of difference outside, but it’s enough to separate the boys from the men as some say.

Interior

On the inside, you’ll find the same general appearance is shared between the GLC Coupe and the GLC43. Big things sometimes come in little packages, though, and that’s the case with the interior of the GLC43. To start off, AMG threw in a set of front sport seats that come with increased lateral support to help keep you in place during more extreme maneuvers. The entire interior is upholstered in black MB-Tex/DINAMICA microfiber that is held together by red contrast top stitching. Believe it or not, the stitching adds to the overall ambiance and luxuriousness of the cabin. You’ll find AMG tossed out the white inserts from the center of the seats and the door trim panels and went with the black DINAMICA instead. The silver inserts on the door panels, the face of the dash, and in the middle of the center console carry over from the standard GLC Coupe. There is a new carbon fiber insert that covers the majority of the center console, which is a nice addition.

As far as infotainment goes, the car comes standard with an Audio 20 system with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Frontbass, Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming, and two USB ports. Garmin Map Pilot comes as optional equipment to create a “full-fledged navigation system.” Maps for the Garmin system are supplied via an SD card. Opting for the Comand system, the media display is replaced by an 8.4-inch unit and includes hard-disc-based navigation, live traffic information, and can be optioned with a WiFi hotspot and advanced voice control system. A Burmester Surround system is available as an option and includes a nine-channel DSP amplifier, 13 speakers, and an overall output of 590 Watts. Not bad, but surely, you’ll have to pony up some extra cash for this luxury.

Drivetrain

Under the hood, you’ll find an “AMG-enhanced,” 3.0-liter V-6 that delivers 364 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. Boost pressure for the Biturbo system has been increased to 16 psi and, as usual with AMG engines, the cylinder liners are coated with NANOSLIDE. Fuel pressure on this model is wild at 2,900 psi. The engine features a red aluminum insert on the engine and the AMG Logo. Shifting duties are handled by an “AMG-enhanced” 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission. According to Mercedes, the transmission has been configured with dedicated software to reduce shift times, provide multiple downshifts for quick bursts of speed, and to provide a double-clutching feature for more emotional and quick gear changes in certain transmission modes.

Supporting the body on this funky little AMG is an AMG Sport Suspension based on air body control. Up front, the car gets special steering knuckles with load-bearing joints. Out back, there is a multi-link system that is said to, in combination with the negative camber up front, provide enhanced lateral dynamics. The system is of the multi-chamber type and features continuously variable damping and lightweight springs. With a fording depth of 11.8 inches, an approach angle of 21.2 degrees, and a departure angle of 21.8 degrees, AMG wants you to know that this “coupe” has strong off-road capabilities. It’s also able to tow, with a braked towing capacity of up to 3,501 pounds when properly equipped.

This vehicle comes standard with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system that has a rear-biased torque distribution. Basically, 31 percent of torque is delivered to the front wheels while 69 percent goes to the rear. More importantly, the car comes with selectable transmission modes. There is Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual; the latter of which is driver adjustable and can be dialed in just the way you like it. There’s also an “M” button that enables a manual-shifting mode. In this mode, the transmission is controlled by the steering-wheel-mounted shift controls.

Prices

Pricing has yet to be announced, but the car is set to debut on September 28 at the Paris Motor Show and will arrive in U.S. dealerships in the first quarter of 2017. Pricing should be announced closer to the car’s official launch. I would expect pricing for this model to come in around $70,000.

Competition

BMW X4 M40i

While BMW has yet to come out with a full-fledged X4M (see our rendering of what that might look like here.)it does have the X4 M40i, which is almost an M variant. Powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six, this model has 355 horsepower and 343 pound-feet of torque. That’s just a bit shy of the GLC43, but it’s not that far off. 60 mph from a standing start comes in about 4.7 seconds while top speed is said to be 150 mph. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Compared to the standard X4, the M40i has features similar to that found in the GLC43 Coupe. You’ll find that it has more power than the standard X4, better handling, better braking and some restyled exterior trim. 19-inch and 20-inch wheels are available. The M40i just went on sale starting in February of 2016 and starts out at $57,800 before options, taxes, and delivery.

Read more about the BMW X4 M40i here.

Conclusion

You could consider me as one of those people who thinks that the GLC Coupe, in any form, is a little pointless. Merc has crammed a Coupe body onto an SUV chassis and has tried to mix the dynamics of a coupe with the off-road abilities of an SUV. The problem is, I don’t see this thing really being all that dynamic. Sitting so high, it’s still a little top heavy, which will make maneuvering at higher speeds difficult – something you don’t want in a sport coupe – while it doesn’t sit high enough to really be considered for off-road use, regardless of what Mercedes claims. I do like the interior and that the GLC43 features a decent uptick in power and performance, but a vehicle like this really seems like the red-headed stepchild of Mercedes entire lineup.

Personally, I would rather go with a full-fledged SUV or a low-sitting coupe that is more capable of spirited driving with no off-road ability. For some of those who really want the best of both worlds, I guess this model kind of makes sense. I wouldn’t go so far as one of our readers who said “kill it with fire,” but it’s certainly not for me. We’ve already got crossovers, which is a combination of car, minivan, and SUV in one, so what do we need and SUV-like coupe or soupe as I like to call it? Either way, if you’re one of the seemingly few who like the GLC Coupe, the GLC43 is definitely the model you want to have.