The stylish C-class-based Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV was launched last year and we loved the car when we drove it. It was high time that Mercedes-Benz had a competitor in that segment which till date was only captured by the likes of the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3. It was in August last year, that we first got a chance to see and drive the GLC Coupe SUV and that one caught our attention. In fact, we were told by the folks at Mercedes-Benz that the GLC Coupe will come to India with one more variant. Sadly though we only get the AMG and even though I began this sentence with ‘sadly’, I am not the one to complain.
(The GLC 43 Coupe is the third AMG model to be launched in India this year and the fourth to be added to the 43 series AMG line-up)
The GLC 43 Coupe is the third AMG model to be launched in India this year and the fourth to be added to the 43 series AMG line-up. First unveiled in 2015, the GLC Coupe is distinctively different than the SUV. It’s sportier, yes, but one look at it and you’ll know the obvious reason. The signature coupe-rear, makes it stand out amongst the rest but if you aren’t one who can stand that design, well you can’t do much about it; the coupe SUV is here to stay.
(The athletic stance of the coupe is further accentuated with a length that’s stretched out by around 80mm and the height dropped by 40mm compared to its SUV counterpart)
The athletic stance of the coupe is further accentuated with a length that’s stretched out by around 80mm and the height dropped by 40mm compared to its SUV counterpart. Then there’s the chrome tipped diamond front grille and of course the twin louvred air intakes which are larger than the ones on the SUV. Then there’s the chrome all around to make it look more premium and also sporty. The 19-inch wheels look lovely too and overall enhance the sportiness further. It’s taut and quite the looker. Strap on a suit to it and the GLC Coupe can very well carry it off to a meeting, a party or just about anywhere actually. It’s the one which smiles at you and all you can see are the dimples on the cheeks and that’s when you know you’ve fallen in love.
(It gets the narrow horizontally oriented split tail lights, a sharp spoiler lip and chrome tipped four-pipe exhausts)
It gets the narrow horizontally oriented split tail lights, a sharp spoiler lip and chrome tipped four-pipe exhausts and should you need any more evidence of it being an AMG, Mercedes has made sure that there is enough badging in and around the car to make you and the others aware of this. There’s ‘AMG’ lettering on the front grille as well as the boot lid. The wheel center hubs also get the AMG badge and there’s the ‘Bi-Turbo 4-Matic’ lettering on its flanks.
(Inside, it’s typically a Mercedes as the fit and finish is top notch and you find yourself in familiar territory)
Inside, it’s typically a Mercedes as the fit and finish is top notch and you find yourself in familiar territory when you take a look at the gear selector, the seat-shaped electronic seat adjuster, and even the infotainment system. It’s nothing new and all of which we’ve experienced in the GLC SUV. There’s space for 5 individuals inside the car but not so much space for their luggage. The sloping roof line eats into the boot space and though it has 550 litres of it, it’s still not good enough. What worsens the space is the space saver spare as it sits on the boot floor thereby eating up into a lot of space at the back. You then are left to make a choice between your bags or the spare wheel and that’s a tough one to crack. Having said that, the cabin is a great place to be in and it’s got the sporty bits too.
(The 8-inch infotainment system can be controlled through touch panel and gesture control)
Being an AMG, it gets sporty all black interiors with red stitching all over. The seats have them, the steering wheel and so does the dashboard. Even the seatbelts are red! There is a flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddle shifters, and black and grey chequered patterned dials. The seats are good too and a big guy like me could easily fit into them thanks to the good side bolstering. And you really understand how well you’re tucked in when you encounter some twisties.
It’s got 362 bhp coming out of that 3-litre V6 which is tuned by AMG and there’s 520 Nm of torque which basically sees you go from 0 to 100 kmph in 4.9 secs. The ride is on the firmer side which you expect from an AMG and though it gets air springs all round, the ride is on the harder side and rough surfaces are not tackled with the greatest of ease. The thuds are very audible and it just feels loud and rumbly. However, there’s a good side to having a firmer setup as it translates into a stable ride. At the end of the day though all you do when you get a straight and relatively open road is downshift and let the pops and cracks of the exhaust do all the talking. The GLC Coupe is fast and yes, it sounds like that too. Even in Comfort mode, there is a hint of a rumble and the Sport and Sport+ modes just make sure there’s adequate amount of ‘crazy’ at your disposal. The soundtrack might not be equivalent of a V8 but it’s right up there.
The 9-speed automatic transmission channels the power to all four wheels and the GLC Coupe 43 gets an AMG-specific power distribution; so there’s more power sent to the rear wheels and though there’s a hint of understeer you’re still having fun behind the wheel and that’s mission accomplished!
As far as rivals are concerned the GLC Coupe doesn’t really have any, considering we don’t have the BMW X4 in India. But the price tag of over ₹ 74 lakh puts it in the same bracket as the Porsche Macan, which, frankly, doesn’t have as much power as the AMG GLC 43 Coupe.
There’s little to fault in the AMG GLC Coupe and that’s probably why it’s a good idea to buy one. But the regular GLC Coupe could also do well in India if it were to be assembled locally and launched at a competitive price. Sadly though, Mercedes-Benz won’t bring it here as sales numbers might not be as big as the SUV.