AWD system in 2020 GLC 43 AMG

6884 Views 6 Replies 3 Participants Last post by warsaw1234, Apr 18, 2020

salvi.ah

Discussion Starter · Apr 15, 2020

Hi guys,

I am looking into purchasing a 2020 GLC 43 AMG. I learned from the "AMG specialist" at my local dealer that the AMG43 has a LOCKED 69/31 power differential favoring the rear tires (AMG 4matic system). He said this system does not adapt to tire slippage by adjusting power output. The "slippery" drive mode adjusts suspension/throttle/etc. but will not send additional power to the front wheels. The GLC 63 AMG however has the 4matic+ system which is able to adjust the power sent to the front wheels.

I am concerned that this is a drawback to winter performance and have read some articles about that. My prior 2010 Infiniti G37x had "intelligent all wheel drive" that could send more power to the front wheels if losing traction, as does almost every other competitor today (BMW's X drive, Audi's quattro, Porsche).

I know previous iterations of the 4matic system were able to do the same. I am not sure why MB has this fixed differential now. What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance.

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warsaw1234

· #2 · Apr 15, 2020

salvi.ah said:
Hi guys,

I am looking into purchasing a 2020 GLC 43 AMG. I learned from the "AMG specialist" at my local dealer that the AMG43 has a LOCKED 69/31 power differential favoring the rear tires (AMG 4matic system). He said this system does not adapt to tire slippage by adjusting power output. The "slippery" drive mode adjusts suspension/throttle/etc. but will not send additional power to the front wheels. The GLC 63 AMG however has the 4matic+ system which is able to adjust the power sent to the front wheels.

I am concerned that this is a drawback to winter performance and have read some articles about that. My prior 2010 Infiniti G37x had "intelligent all wheel drive" that could send more power to the front wheels if losing traction, as does almost every other competitor today (BMW's X drive, Audi's quattro, Porsche).

I know previous iterations of the 4matic system were able to do the same. I am not sure why MB has this fixed differential now. What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance.

I have a 2018 GLC 43 and live in Europe thus know about the slippery or icy conditions. I did not change over to winter tires this year as you need to buy new wheels and tires because no one make 21" winter tires. The winter was very light this year and could tell that we had summer tires. To the point; you are correct about the 4 matic+ on the 63 and 63s BUT I am a Very spirited driver and never lost confidence on cold roads with summer tires on our GLC43. It is definitely rear wheel drive biased and you can throw it around considerable if you want to...pretty fun really in my opinion. You can tell that it is all wheel drive on the road which I find confidence inspiring if you will. Not a perfect car but still a good and fun machine. Good luck.

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tGs Wraith

· #3 · Apr 16, 2020

Is this legit? My understanding of the GLC 300 4matic is that it starts at 55:45 but can adjust every single wheel with an entirely electronic differential (Not locked)

https://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko/The-technology-of-the-new-4MATIC-generation-Superior-traction-with-first-class-driving-safety-and-classic-Mercedes-Benz-comfort.xhtml

Surely the 300 does not have a better AWD than the 43, so either I'm wrong or the dealer is?

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salvi.ah

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 16, 2020

Thank you both for your replies.

tGs, I thought the same however that’s what the dealer continues to mention and I’ve seen it now a few places online as well. GLC43 AMG is locked..

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warsaw1234

· #5 · Apr 17, 2020

Found this on the MB website for the GLC 300....presume it is for all GLC's.

4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive
In any season, on any road, 4MATIC® all-wheel drive adds to your confidence and control. Always engaged and optimizing torque to every wheel, 4MATIC integrates with ESP®, our standard Electronic Stability Program, for maximum effectiveness in corners and slippery conditions. It also incorporates our 4-wheel Electronic Traction System (4-ETS®), which monitors for the first sign of wheel slip and responds to ensure torque is sent to the wheels with the best grip, even if that's only one wheel.

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salvi.ah

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 17, 2020

So it’s actually different for the AMG line. AMG has its own blends of the 4 matic system. See below.

4MATIC All-Wheel Drive

In any season, on any road, 4MATIC all-wheel drive adds to your confidence and control.

www.mercedes-benz.ca

Still disappointed how many dealers don’t know about the different 4 matic systems between AMG / non AMG. I guess they really wanted to tune the GLC43 AMG into a sports car thus having a permanent 31:69 split.

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warsaw1234

· #7 · Apr 18, 2020

salvi.ah said:
So it’s actually different for the AMG line. AMG has its own blends of the 4 matic system. See below.

4MATIC All-Wheel Drive

In any season, on any road, 4MATIC all-wheel drive adds to your confidence and control.

www.mercedes-benz.ca

Still disappointed how many dealers don’t know about the different 4 matic systems between AMG / non AMG. I guess they really wanted to tune the GLC43 AMG into a sports car thus having a permanent 31:69 split.

Possibly, I can tell you for sure that you can slide it around quite often if you want to. It is heavy but still fun to throw around in sport handling mode. Hit the traction control button once and it goes into sport handling where you can slip around a bit. Like I said, not a perfect SUV but pretty darn fast for a big heavy vehicle and great for long trips.

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