Mercedes has a boatload of product to reveal at the 2016 New York International Auto Show and the PR team is trickling out information on those vehicles on what seems like a daily basis. The next one up is the sport version of the compact GLC crossover. It's called the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 and it packs 362 horsepower under the hood of what would otherwise be a perfect vehicle for small families.
Like other "43" models, the GLC43 derives its power from a twin-turbocharged V-6. Those 362 ponies are achieved at 5,500 rpm to go along with 384 pound-feet of torque that arrives at 2,000 rpm and stays on tap until 4,200 rpm. The V-6 sends all that power through a 9-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels via a performance version of Mercedes' 4MATIC system that employs a standard 31/69 front/rear torque split. The transmission adds a Sport Plus mode that other GLC models lack, and that enables very short shift times.
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All that power and traction translates to real-world performance. Mercedes says the GLC43 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds on its way to a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph.
The changes from the GLC300 are most obvious from the outside, where the GLC43 features AMG-styled front and rear bumpers, a diamond front grille with gloss-black louvers and chrome pins, unique tailpipes, and 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels painted gloss black. Tire sizes are 255/45 up front and 285/40 in the rear.
2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43
Inside, the GLC43 gets an AMG instrument cluster with a checkered flag design and a 180 mph speedometer. A flat-bottom sport steering wheel is covered in leather with deep embossing in the grip area and red contrast stitching. Standard sport seats also have more side bolstering.
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Underneath, the GLC43 has an air suspension with adaptive dampers that offer three settings. The electronic stability control program has three settings as well, and the AMG Dynamic Select system has five settings in total, including an Individual option to allow drivers to choose their own settings for the engine, transmission, suspension, and steering. Up front, the suspension gets new steering knuckles and load-bearing joints on the spring links. At all four corners, stiffer bushings are used and more negative camber is dialed in to improve handling.
The brakes are bigger, too, with 14.2-inch diameter rotors on the front axle and 12.6-inch rotors out back.
The 2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 will go on sale by the end of the year. For more on the New York Auto Show, see our dedicated hub.
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