High-octane Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe goes on sale in South Africa – Pricing

The new Mercedes-AMG GLC Coupe has officially gone on sale in South Africa, hot on the heels of the standard SUV which was introduced last week.

The coupe units follow the same model convention with two derivatives – the 43 and the 63 S E Performance.

Prices for the sleeker body style start at R1,911,750, making it around R35,000 more expensive than the normal roofline.

Performance

Kicking things off is the new GLC 43, which is fitted with a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine assisted by an electric exhaust-gas turbocharger and a belt-driven starter generator (BSG).

This gives the SUV a power reading of 310kW and 500Nm, with the BSG briefly contributing an additional 10kW of Boost during acceleration.

The end result is that the high-performance Mercedes-Benz can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds, before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

As with most of the automaker’s new products, the coupe is fitted with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which works with the BSG and a Stop/Start system to improve efficiency around town.

As for the 63 S E Performance, it makes use of the same 2.0-litre drivetrain but benefits from a much larger turbocharger, boosting its stats up to an impressive 350kW and 545Nm.

It is also a plug-in hybrid, as it combines the combustion plant with a rear-mounted electric motor with an output of 150kW.

Thanks to its electrical assistance, the coupe pumps out a total of 500kW and 1,020Nm, letting it sprint to 100km/h in a staggering 3.5 seconds. The speed cap has also been raised from 250km/h to 275km/h.

The e-motor gets its juice from a 6.1kWh battery, which is intended for performance rather than economy, but is still large enough to afford 12km of electric driving for short trips.

The cell is equipped with a 3.7kW onboard charger, which is compatible with any AC plugs at home or public outlets.

The 63 also comes with an electronic limited-slip differential, which can negotiate power to the front wheels while cornering for better traction.

Regardless of which version you go for, the GLC’s propulsion unit is mated to the brand’s 4Matic all-wheel-drive system and a nine-speed AMG automatic gearbox.

It also features rear-axle steering for a vastly improved turning circle in tight spaces like car parks, and AMG Ride Control steel spring suspension with Active Damping, which can be adjusted to prioritize comfort or sporty handling.

The obvious distinction of the GLC coupe in comparison to its siblings is its long curved roof, which adds to the sporty theme of the car.

The front of the SUV is the same as the non-coupe models, with an AMG grille, wider air intakes, and an AMG front apron. Chrome accents have also been added to the exterior to complement the 20-inch alloy wheels.

At the back, the slender roofline merges into two-part LED taillights, which are connected by a singular strip across the boot lid.

The 43 and 63 have different diffusers and tailpipes to distinguish the two variants, with the former using circular exhausts while the latter boasts a trapezoidal shape.

The interior is unchanged from the standard GLC, with AMG-branded floor mats, aluminium pedals, illuminated door sills, and Artico man-made leather and Microcut fibre upholstery for the seats.

Customers also have the option of AMG Performance seats with Nappa leather, at an additional cost.

Both units are decked out with a flat-bottom AMG Sport steering wheel with Nappa leather, which comes with paddle shifters and two AMG-specific buttons for accessing the driving modes.

Of course, the brand’s signature MBUX system makes a return with two large screens on the dashboard for the driver and infotainment functions – the latter of which supports onboard navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

The S E Performance also comes standard with the AMG Track Pace package (optional on the 43), which can be used to record your racetrack performance from lap times to acceleration, speed, and even steering angles.