Wheels Australia - June 2018

134 whichcar.com.au/wheels

Price

Eng

type

Eng

size Power Torque Trans.

Kerb

weight

0-100

km/h

0-400

metres

Fuel

cons.RON

Resale

%

Issue

tested Drive

MG3 Chinese, cheap, not so cheerful

Cheap hatchback that stands out from a design perspective

Thelastthingpeopleexpectfromaonce-storiedsportscarbrand;noauto;unproven


The Pick:There are plenty of hatchbacks that do a better job at this end of the market

Core $13,990 L4 1.5 78 137 M5 1103 — — 5.8 48 F

Soul $14,990 L4 1.5 78 137 M5 1103 — — 5.8 48 F

Essence $15,990 L4 1.5 78 137 M5 1103 — — 5.8 49 F

MG6Plus Mid-sizer returns years after failed start

Brand cachet; distinctive design; rear air vents; cheap

Model doesn’t live up to that cachet; questionable resale; lacklustre turbo engine


The Pick:Itdidn’timpressyearsagoandthere’snotmuchtosuggestit’sworthapunt

Core $21,990 L4T 1.8 118 215 A6 1534 — — 7.8 48 F

Soul $23,990 L4T 1.8 118 215 A6 1534 — — 7.8 48 F

Essence $25,990 L4T 1.8 118 215 A6 1534 — — 7.8 49 F

ZS Familiar name, different focus

Sevenyearwarrantyisavoteofconfidence;three-potpromisestobefrugal;cheap

More traditional boxy looks compared with GS; sub-100kW outputs are meagre


 The Pick: Judgement will have to wait for a first local drive

Soul $20,990 L4 1.5 84 150 A4 — — — 7.1 F

Essence $23,990 L3T 1.0 82 160 A6 — — — 6.7 F

Price

Eng

type

Eng

size Power Torque Trans.

Kerb

weight

0-100

km/h

0-400

metres

Fuel

cons.RON

Resale

%

Issue

testedDrive

GLC350d $89,900 V6TD 3.0 190 620 A9 1890 6.2 — 6.3 D 61 A

GLC43 AMG $102,111 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 1845 4.9 — 8.9 98 61 A

GLC63 S AMG $164,900 V8TT 4.0 375 700 A9 2010 3.8 — 10.9 98 61 A

GLCCoupe It’s all about the look

Exterior and interior styling; sharp dynamics; decent performance; comfortable

Turbo-diesels are a bit gruff; compromised headroom, practicality, and vision


 The Pick: Either of the 250s makes sense, or you could save dough with the regular GLC

GLC220d $78,500 L4TD 2.1 125 400 A9 1845 8.3 — 5.8 D 61 A

GLC250 $81,211 L4T 2.0 155 350 A9 1785 7.6 — 7.4 95 62 A

GLC250d $83,500 L4TD 2.1 150 500 A9 1845 7.6 — 5.8 D 61 A

GLC350d $99,900 V6TD 3.0 190 620 A9 1915 6.2 — 6.3 D 61 A

GLC43 AMG $109,611 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 1855 4.9 — 8.9 98 61 A

GLC63 S AMG $171,900 V8TT 4.0 375 700 A9 2020 3.8 — 10.9 98 61 A

GLE-Class New name, familiar body

Superb V6 diesel; premium cabin; decent ride quality; frugal for its size; beefy AMG V8

Can’t escape its sheer size; not particularly well packaged; still far from sexy


 The Pick: GLE500e if you’re set up for easy recharging; 43AMG if you can’t be bothered

GLE250d $92,900 L4TD 2.1 150 500 A9 2075 8.6 — 6.0 D 63 A

GLE350d $108,900 V6TD 3.0 190 620 A9 2100 7.1 — 6.6 D 63 A

GLE500e $129,500 V6TH 3.0 325 650 A7 2465 5.3 — 3.3 98 63 A

GLE43 AMG $134,411 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 — 5.7 — — 98 63 A

GLE63 S AMG $193,211 V8TT 5.5 430 760 A7 2270 4.2 — 11.8 98 61 A

GLECoupe Merc’s answer to the X6

Vision; excellent cornering grip; refinement; decent room despite lower-than-GLE roof

Thousands more than GLE for less space; busy ride; high loading lip for boot


 The Pick: AMG-tweaked turbo six in the GLE43 makes a great noise and feels strong

GLE350d $125,211 V6TD 3.0 190 620 A9 2175 7.0 — 7.2 D 63 A

GLE43 AMG $144,511 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 2145 5.7 — 9.4 95 61 A

GLE63 S AMG $201,911 V8TT 5.5 430 760 A7 2275 4.2 — 11.9 98 61 A

G-Class Army truck for the road

Tough-as image; AMG’s ultra-cool side tailpipes and burly new twin-turbo V8 donk

Due for replacement soon; live front axle; woeful steering; bucking ride


 The Pick: The outrageous AMG has perverse appeal, but only the diesel makes any sense

G300 CDI Pro Wagon $109,900 V6TD 3.0 135 400 A5 — — — — D 50 A

G300 CDI Pro Cab $119,900 V6TD 3.0 135 400 A5 — — — — D 50 A

G350d $163,615 V6TD 3.0 155 540 A7 2300 9.1 — 11.2 D 50 A

G63 AMG $233,615 V8TT 5.5 400 760 A7 2550 5.4 — 13.8 98 52 05/14 A

GLS-Class S in the name the main change for GL

Third-rowseatactuallycomfortableandalmostroomy;engines;decentoff-roadability

Gargantuan-Class more like it – it’s big; AMG not as athletic as some through the bends


 The Pick: Torquey V6 diesel makes most sense, and new Sport pack adds dynamic helpers

GLS350d $117,661 V6TD 3.0 190 620 A9 2455 7.8 — 7.7 D 63 A

GLS350d Sport $136,661 V6TD 3.0 190 620 A9 2455 7.8 — 7.7 D 63 A

GLS500 $163,661 V8TT 4.7 320 700 A9 2445 5.3 — 11.5 95 63 A

GLS63 AMG $219,661 V8TT 5.5 410 760 A7 2580 4.6 — 12.3 98 63 A

Valente Budget big Benz

A cheaper way to get into an eight-seat Benz (and out of a VW Multivan or Tarago)

Like the new-gen V-Class, it’s essentially a commercial van with seats


The Pick:This over its VW Multivan and Toyota Tarago rivals

$58,100 L4TD 2.1 120 360 A7 2155 — — 6.3 D 54 R

V-Class Newname,newcabin,newengine

Enormously roomy, complete with limo-style face-to-face rear seating; frugal diesel four

Sheer size makes it difficult to manoeuvre and park, which kinda defeats its purpose


 The Pick: A centre captain’s chair in a fully stocked V250d with Jeeves in the hot seat

V220d $74,990 L4TD 2.1 120 380 A7 2145 — — 6.3 D 51 R

V250d $87,155 L4TD 2.1 140 440 A7 2145 9.1 — 6.3 D 51 R

S-Class Arguably the world’s best sedan

New range of powerful but efficient engines; regal comfort; next-level autonomous tech

New cruise control might irk traditional owners; finding a wide enough parking spot


 The Pick: S350d has a sweet straight-six and exceptional ride comfort for under $200k

S350d $192,900 L6TD 3.0 210 600 A9 1970 6.8 — 5.5 D 48 R

S400d L $222,500 L6TD 3.0 250 700 A9 2025 5.4 — 5.5 D 48 R

S450 L $227,500 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 — 5.1 — 6.6 95 48 R

S560 $270,000 V8TT 4.0 345 700 A9 2055 4.7 — 8.5 98 48 R

S560 L $295,000 V8TT 4.0 345 700 A9 2075 4.7 — 8.5 98 48 R

S63 L AMG $375,000 V8TT 4.0 450 900 A9 1970 4.3 — 9.0 98 67 R

S650 L Maybach $425,000 V12TT 6.0 463 1000 A7 2360 4.7 — 12.7 98 45 R

S-ClassCoupe Two-door Germanpowerhaus

Interior presentation; nine-speed debut for base V8

Pricing, plus the cost of rear tyres, and probably insurance; and is the V12 worth it?


 The Pick: Twin-turbo V8s promise better economy with still-brilliant performance

S500 $326,926 V8TT 4.7 335 700 A9 1955 4.6 — 8.6 95 64 02/16 R

S63 AMG $414,426 V8TT 5.5 430 900 A7 1995 4.2 — 10.2 98 53 R

S65 AMG $501,426 V12TT 6.0 463 1000 A7 2110 4.1 — 12.0 98 48 R

SL Sportsluxury,maybe.Notlight

New nine-speed and upgraded engines deliver worthy performance improvements

Looks odd from some angles; heavy and thirsty; more cruiser than sporty


 The Pick: The V8 AMG is a great way to build pace, but even the base SL400 has loads of go

SL400 $220,900 V6TT 3.0 270 500 A9 1735 4.9 — 7.8 95 51 R

SL500 $280,900 V8TT 4.7 335 700 A9 1795 4.3 — 9.1 95 51 R

SL63 AMG $370,900 V8TT 5.5 430 900 A9 1845 4.1 — 10.2 98 51 R

AMGGT Allgrand,moresportthantourer

Brilliant new twin-turbo V8; arresting styling; cohesive chassis; drama; GT R’s polish

Some ergonomic issues inside cabin; driver communication at the limit; taut suspension


 The Pick: New GT R is hugely entertaining on the track but still highly capable on the road

GT $258,711 V8TT 4.0 350 630 S7 1540 4.0 — 9.4 98 67 R

GT Roadster $283,711 V8TT 4.0 350 630 S7 — 4.0 — — 98 67 R

GT S $298,711 V8TT 4.0 384 670 S7 1570 3.8 — 9.4 98 67 09/15 R

GT C Edition 50 $335,211 V8TT 4.0 410 680 S7 — — — — 98 67 R

GT C Roadster $338,711 V8TT 4.0 410 680 S7 1660 4.0 11.6 14.3 98 67 10/17 R

GT R $348,711 V8TT 4.0 430 700 S7 1555 3.6 — 11.4 98 R

GLC-Class Million-dollar baby

Styling; outstanding interior; class-leadingspace;all-roundabilityonairsuspension...

...which is optional but mandatory in our opinion; 250d not as sweet as petrols


 The Pick: 250d becomes efficiency versus performance pick since the 220d was dumped

GLC200 $61,990 L4T 2.0 135 300 A9 — — — — 95 – — R

GLC250 $70,611 L4T 2.0 155 350 A9 1735 7.3 — 7.2 95 62 02/16 A

GLC250d $73,200 L4TD 2.2 150 500 A9 1845 7.6 — 5.7 D 61 02/16 A

MG

6/7yr/unlimited

mgmotor.com.au

For a limited time, Mercedes

C-Class customers can upgrade

the entry C200 sedan to an

Edition C limited edition with

a dusting of more kit and a

reduced price. Using the C200

as the base, the special version

adds an electric glass sunroof,

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

smartphone connectivity as well

as a choice of metallic colours

and 19-inch alloy wheels to

enhance the exterior impact. The

Edition C is on offer for $60,900

driveaway, which represents a

compelling saving over the less

well-equipped C200 which sells

for $61,900 before on-road costs.

Classy Edition C

MERCEDES

C-CLASS

L=in-line,

V=vee,

F=flat,

R=rotary.

Number of cyls or rotors.

T=turbo,

S= s'charged,

D=diesel,

H=hybrid

LitresKilowattsNewton metresM

=manual,

A

=automatic,

S=sequential,

C=CVT

Kilograms0-100km/h acceleration, in secs(Wheels

tested figures in italics)

0-400m acceleration, in sec s(Wheels

tested figures in italics)

Fuel consumption in Litr

es/100km

Recommended Retail Priceat time of publication(* indicates driveaway) Recommended octane ratingGlass's predicted resale rating, retained after 3 yearsWhen we drove itF= F

ront drive,

R=Rear drive,

A

=All-wheel drive

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