Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe to debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show
Mercedes-Benz entered the SUV-coupe segment (created by the BMW X6) with the GLE followed by the GLC. Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz launched the GLE 450 AMG coupe in India and plans to bring in the GLC coupe next year. However, the German car manufacturer will debut the performance oriented GLC 43 AMG at the 2016 Paris Motor Show on September 28. The company will begin sales of the GLC 43 AMG coupe in December 2016.
In terms of design, the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe looks identical to the regular version except that this one gets diamond finished radiator grille with a chrome and gloss black treatment. The bumper gets larger air-intake scoops that features silver chrome fins running across it. Mercedes states that the splitter placed at the lower end of the bumper ensures optimal airflow which helps in cooling the engine more effectively.
The Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe runs on AMG-spec 19-inch multi-spoke lightweight alloy wheels. It comes with 235/55 R19 tyres in the front and 255/50 R19 tyres in the rear. As an optional pack, Mercedes-AMG will also offer 21-inch wheels on the GLC43. The rear profile of the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe gets distinct AMG treatment which can be seen with the sporty lip spoiler, shared taillights also seen on the S-Class coupe and the chrome finished quad exhaust pipes.
The cabin of the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe too gets sporty additions with red and black finished interior paired with aluminium finished buttons and knobs. The leather wrapped multi function flat bottom steering wheel gets a contrasting red stitching. The seats sport all-black Artico leather and also come with sporty red stitching. The red highlights can also be seen on the door panels as well as the seat belts. The 5.5-inch AMG instrument cluster displays a host of driver-centric information, In addition, it comes with Race Timer function for recording lap times while driving. Mercedes will also offer an optional Burmester 13-speakers 590-watts surround sound system.
Powering the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe is a 3.0-litre V6 biturbo petrol engine that makes 367PS at 5,500-6,000 rpm and generates 520Nm at 2,500-4,500 rpm. All of that power is sent to all four wheels through the 9G-Tronic automatic transmission. The company states that they have reduced the shift times of the 9-speed transmission by means of a dedicated software application. The transmission behavior can be altered with different modes namely - sport, sport plus and manual. Mercedes-Benz claims that the GLC 43 AMG coupe sprints from 0 to 100kmph in 4.9s and can reach a top whack of 250kmph. Expect it to reach Indian shores sometime next year.
Also see: Mercedes-AMG C43 coupé India Review Video