Roads aren’t getting better by the day, especially here, which is no surprise SUVs sales have reached an all-time high despite being more fuel hungry and worse to drive by nature. Human beings do what we do best, adapt and evolve.
So what do you get for a hundred thousand more over a GLC 250? A bigger engine, larger wheels and that’s about it. LED headlamps? (250’s got it) Panoramic sunroof? (that too) Choice of colour? The same as a 250. For costing three VW Tiguans, it is not something accountants will be nodding to.
PRO
Entertaining exhaust
Muscular soundtrack
Looks
CON
Gear shifts
Hyperactive suspension
SPECIFICATION
3-litre V6
367hp 520Nm
9-speed G-Tronic
0-100 km/h: 4.9s
Top speed: 250 km/h
RM 470,000
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VIDEO: Taking Delivery of GLC43
BEHIND THE WHEEL: Audi SQ5
BEHIND THE WHEEL: Audi Q5
I am glad to find that the similarities end there or else I’ve just gotten myself a lemon. Ignite the 43 and you’ll instantly notice the first difference. It’s exhaust, although not the performance system (an option available in most parts of the world but here) breathes into life with enthusiasm. Even more when put in Sport+.
Making it to the century mark will take you about five seconds. Stopping will take half the time and you can do it all day given how large the size of these brakes are. Steering feel I heard you ask? Right up there by being the most informative electrically powered rack on a sport utility.
On the inside, there is nice stitching to go with friendly seat belts in red that tightens when buckled and a dashboard lifted from the C class that we all love or at least, loved. Flat-bottom steering wheel with needles that sweep. Both kick plates and pedals in aluminium are nice touches. Speaker grills that look good, sound decent but as to how much Burmester you are getting, look it up here.
If those are the things you look for in a car then it’s perfect but there are a few things to look out for. These upgraded leather seats are nicely bolstered making long journeys comfortable but if you are a member of PETA, no leather is to be found if you stick with the standard seats.
That aside, Audi and BMW's choice of gearbox makes this nine-speed in the 43 can be frustrating especially when weaving in traffic, which is most of the time.
The panoramic sunroof that comes as standard, lets in too much noise. Pre-crash warning’s neurotic, at least that can be turned off. This is probably the only car in the world where passengers would not believe that it is actually riding on air suspensions. Even in comfort mode, the overreacting ride cannot be turned off.
Should you wish to give hot hatches a run for its existence on mountainous roads, the GLC43 will do exactly that despite weighing nearly two tonnes. Granted it is not entirely on home ground doing the fast bit in mid corners, lean on its electronic wizardry, you’ll come out of it looking like Braveheart. And when stability control is turned off completely, some tail out action is possible.
As a whole, the GLC 43 surprises more often than disappoints. In this part of the world, it offers a lot more for a whole less than a Macan and that means a lot for many of us.