2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe First Drive: More AMG for the Masses

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is arguably near the top of the list of pointless things; it’s not quite an off-roader, not quite a wagon, and not quite a sports car. The 2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe therefore poses an interesting question: Is it more pointless than the regular GLC Coupe or less?

The GLC43 Coupe is the latest addition to the burgeoning Mercedes-AMG lineup and follows the AMG-lite formula established by the C43 and E43 sedans. Under the hood is an AMG-massaged version of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 that develops 362 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to an AMG enhanced 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission and drives all four wheels through the AMG Performance 4Matic system that delivers 69 percent of the torque to the rear wheels.

The GLC43 Coupe also comes with AMG’s sports suspension, which uses Daimler’s multichamber air spring and adaptive damper setup, retuned to reduce roll and improve body control. The front end has also been reworked and now features special steering knuckles and load-bearing joints to improve stiffness and an increased negative camber for better cornering grip. The multilink rear suspension has also been given more negative camber.

2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rear three quarter in motion 01

2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe cabin 04 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe interior badge 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe infotainment display 03 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe center console

Although the GLC43 Coupe rolls on road-oriented 20-inch wheels and low profile tires—255/45 R20 up front and 285/40 R20 at the rear—the height adjustable air suspension helps it retain some off-road capability. AMG claims the GLC43 has approach and departure angles of 21.2 and 21.8 degrees respectively and will ford water 11.8 inches deep. Not Rubicon Trail stuff, to be sure, but better than the average station wagon.

Except, as with the regular GLC Coupe, the 43 has little of the load-lugging practicality that makes the SUV a station wagon alternative for most American consumers. That swoopy roofline means three or four smallish soft bags are about all you’ll get in the load area if you want to keep your luggage hidden out of sight under the cargo cover.

AMG’s bigger wheels and tires, different front and rear bumper fascias, and a discreet spoiler across the lip of the rear hatch give the GLC43 Coupe a more muscular street presence than the regular version. And the good news is the AMG mechanical tweaks deliver some of the performance and handling promised by the styling. Though top speed is limited to 130 mph because of America’s preference for all-season tires, AMG claims the GLC43 Coupe will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, or about 1.5 seconds quicker than the four-cylinder-powered GLC Coupe.

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It certainly feels a lot quicker that its four-cylinder sibling. The twin-turbo V-6 serves up a healthy chunk of midrange torque that’s deftly surfed by the smooth shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. And because it’s an AMG, there’s a nicely muted snarl from the exhaust with just a hint of a snap-crackle on the overrun as the transmission matches revs on downshifts in Sport, Sport +, and Manual modes.

Our time behind the wheel of the GLC43 Coupe was brief and confined to Portuguese freeways and two-lanes while en route to drive the monstrous AMG GT R Coupe. We can’t be too definitive about the ride, other than to say it doesn’t feel noticeably harsher despite the more tightly controlled body motions. There’s not a ton of feel through the steering, but the meatier rubber gives the 43 more initial bite on corner entry and more grip through the turns.

A little quicker in a straight line and a little sharper in the twisties, the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe doesn’t merely look the part; it is unquestionably a more sporty drive than the GLC Coupe. Which is arguably the whole … er … point.

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Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe side profile in motion 03 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rear three quarter 08 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rear three quarter 05 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rear three quarter in motion 03 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rear three quarter 07 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rear three quarter 03 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe tail lamp 02 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rear three quarter 04 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rear three quarter 06 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rear three quarter 02 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rear end 02 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rear three quarter 01 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rear spoiler 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rpm gauge 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rear end 01 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe instrument panel 08 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe paddle shifter 01 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe paddle shifter 03 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe instrument panel 07 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe instrument panel 06 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter in motion 06 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front view 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter in motion 04 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 23 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe instrument panel 05 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe instrument panel 04 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe instrument panel 03 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe instrument panel 02 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter in motion 07 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 24 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter in motion 02 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 20 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter in motion 05 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter in motion 03 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 21 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 19 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe instrument panel 01 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe infotainment display 04 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe infotainment display 02 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 22 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 18 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 09 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 10 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 12 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 13 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 14 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 15 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe rear three quarter in motion 05 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 16 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 17 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 08 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 07 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 06 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter in motion 08 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 05 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 03 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 04 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 02 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front three quarter 01 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe front end 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe dashboard 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe door sill badge 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe engine 01 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe engine 02 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe engine 03 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe engine cover 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe exhaust tip 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe cargo space 02 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe cargo space 01 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe cabin 03 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe cabin 02 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe cabin 01 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe badge 12 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe badge 11 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe badge 02 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe badge 03 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe badge 04 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe badge 05 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe badge 06 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe badge 07 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe badge 08 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe badge 09 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe badge 10 2017 Mercedes AMG GLC43 Coupe badge 01

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