It was only a few days ago when Mercedes-Benz India confirmed that it would start assembly of AMG models at its plant in Chakan near Pune, Maharashtra. And, the model that would kick-start the process is what you see here – the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC Coupe. Now, we have a launch date. The car in question will get a price tag on November 3, 2020.

Being a Mercedes-AMG, the upcoming car is more about performance and shouty design than anything else. Unveiled in July last year, the GLC 43 Coupe comes with a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6, AMG-spec 9-speed automatic transmission and a rear-biased (31:69) all-wheel-drive system. With 385bhp/520Nm on tap, the go-fast car can hit 100kmph from a standstill in 4.9 seconds and reach an electronically-limited top speed of 250kmph.

To ensure the driver can relish the car’s performance, Mercedes-Benz has fitted it with stuff like an electronic rear-axle limited-slip differential, multiple driving modes, AMG-spec air suspension and a performance exhaust system. Under the creature comforts section, the GLC 43 Coupe will come with a powered tailgate, powered and auto-dimming ORVMs, rain-sensing wipers, a panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting. It will also pack a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, heated and powered front seats, automatic climate control, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless mobile charging and a 360-degree camera.

Shifting from CBU (Completely Built Unit) to CKD (Completely Knocked Down) process will enable Mercedes-Benz India to offer the GLC 43 Coupe at a considerably lower price. As per the company, the CBU route would have slapped a price tag of around Rs 1 crore for the car. The CKD operation should bring that figure down to about Rs 80 lakh. That’s about the same as the diesel-fed versions of the BMW X5 and the Volvo XC90. Even the Porsche Macan S, which offers similar performance, falls in the same sort of price bracket. Let’s see how close the real picture will be!