2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 price and specs

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 is due in showrooms next week with a downsized four-cylinder engine with F1 technology – and a price rise of about $2000.

The first AMG version of the new GLC luxury SUV is available in regular wagon and Coupe body styles, both sharing a 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid engine in place of the previous 3.0-litre turbo V6.

While the GLC43 costs about $36,000 more than the regular GLC300 – now the only regular Mercedes-Benz GLC variant – it is 'only' about $2000 dearer than the previous GLC43, despite the new engine, larger body, and longer list of features and technology.

However the price of the previous GLC43 climbed by $25,000 between its facelift in 2019 and the end of its life in 2023, from $109,900 to $134,470 plus on-road costs for the wagon.

Powering the new GLC43 is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine from the A45 S hot hatch, developing 310kW and 500Nm – 10kW more than the new C43 sedan, and 23kW more (but 20Nm less) than the outgoing V6 GLC43.

It's augmented by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system claimed to be capable of adding 10kW/150Nm under hard acceleration, switching off the engine when cruising to 'coast' and save fuel, and restart the engine faster when setting off from a standstill.

The turbocharger is derived from Mercedes-AMG's previously championship-winning Formula One cars, and uses a compact electric motor to spin up the turbo at low revs when exhaust gases alone are insufficient.

Mercedes-AMG claims it can "significantly improve responsiveness directly from idle speed and across the entire rev range."

Power is sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed multi-clutch automatic transmission, and a permanent all-wheel-drive system with a 31:69 front-to-rear power split.

In Europe a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 4.8 seconds is claimed – one-tenth of a second quicker than the previous model – towards an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.

Standard performance features include adaptive suspension, a sports exhaust, five drive modes, four-piston front and single-piston rear brakes, and speed-sensitive steering.

The rear-axle steering can turn the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the fronts at speeds of less than 100km/h for easier manoeuvring, and in the same direction above 100km/h for improved stability.

Features added compared to the GLC300 include full leather seat trim, AMG exterior and interior design highlights, 20-inch AMG wheels, a Burmester sound system, Digital Light LED adaptive headlights, and augmented-reality satellite navigation.

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 is available in showrooms – and to order online – from next week (commencing 11 March 2024).

Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.