The acquisition of four cylinders continues. AMG has revealed its interpretation of the latest GLC SUV And the bad news is that both the V6 and V8 engines in the older 43 and 63 models have been replaced by inline-fours. The good news is that both versions make far more power than the SUVs they replace thanks to electric turbocharger technology borrowed from F1, the leading 63 PHEV offering as much power as a McLaren Artura.
If you’re familiar with the latest Mercedes-AMG C-Class sedans and wagons, you’ll already be familiar with these new powertrains. The GLC is essentially a high-rise C-Class, built around the exact same platform, so it stands to reason that the SUV would inherit the same engines as well.
GLC 43
That means the GLC 43 loses its turbocharged mild-hybrid V6 and gains a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, again with mild-hybrid assist. The old V6-powered 43 made a respectable 385 hp (390 PS), but the new 43 tops that with 416 hp (421 PS), and that’s before you factor in the 13 hp (14 PS) coming from the generator. Boot.
Related: The 2023 Mercedes GLC gets a steep price increase to go along with the redesign, starts at $47k
As before, those ponies are sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. Zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) drops from 4.9 to 4.8 seconds, which may not sound like much of a leap forward, and a torque output of 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) which is actually 15 lb-ft (20 Nm) definitely less no. But all four gobble up less gas, and the addition of rear-axle steer promises to make the new all terrain much more agile.
GLC 63 SE Performance
He GLC 63 The SE Performance also uses the same basic M139L inline-four and electric turbocharger technology, but it’s a much more serious performance machine and much heavier thanks to a larger turbocharger and the addition of PHEV hardware for the first time in a GLC. with AMG badge. The 63 version of the 2.0-liter engine makes 469 hp (476 PS) and 402 lb-ft (545 Nm), which can’t match the 503 hp (510 PS) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) produced by the old AMG GLC 63S V8. But when the electric boost from the new model’s P3 hybrid system is added, total power increases to 671 hp (680 PS) and 752 lb-ft (1,020 Nm) of torque.
Electric assist comes courtesy of a 201 hp (204 PS/150 kW) electric motor located at the rear axle and helps the hottest GLC hit 62 mph in 3.5 seconds. That compares to 3.8 seconds for the old V8-powered GLC 63 and 3.4 seconds for the new 63 SE Performance sedan with the same powertrain.
As with AMG’s other PHEVs, the C 63 and S 63, the GLC 63’s hybrid system is there to boost performance, not let you drive across the state on electric power. The tiny 6.1 kWh battery provides 80 kW of continuous power and 150 kW for up to 10 seconds, but only offers an electric driving range of 7.5 miles (12 km), making even the range of 8 miles (13 km) from the C 63 sedan seems generous. The mammoth curb weight of 2,235 kg (4,927 lb) also makes the overweight C 63’s 2,090 kg (4,607 lb) scale reading seem slightly less awful.
The AMG GLC Coupé arrives later
Arriving just over a year after the non-AMG GLC, the Affalterbach-tuned versions have been revealed only in upright SUV form for now, though we can expect to see the Sportier-looking AMG GLC coupe before the end of the year. Both the GLC 43 and 63 feature AMG’s trademark Panamericana grille with its vertical bars, but even if a 43 owner orders theirs without the model badge in the hopes people will think they’ve shelled out For 63, there are some visual clues to help us. say about each other.
The 43 rides stock 19-inch wheels and comes with 370mm cast-iron brake rotors (front) and four-piston calipers, while the 63 upgrades to 20-inch wheels, carbon ceramic brakes from 390 mm and six cylinders. pot gauges. There are some obvious differences at the rear, too, where the 63 features an upgraded version of the 43’s rear diffuser, plus quad tailpipes with a trapezoidal, rather than round, design.
A nappa leather and microfiber covered steering wheel marks the 63 inside the cabin (43 is just nappa leather), but it’s not obvious until you start driving that the 63 has eight drive modes compared to the 43’s five. , active roll stabilization and can send up to 100 percent of its torque to the rear axle, while the 43’s front-rear torque split is pegged at 31:69 percent.
Mercedes-AMG it offers Night and Carbon packages to darken some or all of the GLC’s chrome accents and add some composite jewels, while an AMG styling package adds more aerodynamic details to boost the performance vibe. But for owners who really want to stand out, there’s the Edition 1 launch model. Available only in the first year of production and in a choice of magno graphite gray or magno hi-tech silver, it features striking yellow brake calipers, seat belts yellow and interior seams.
Mercedes hasn’t revealed pricing or on-sale dates for the 2024 AMG GLCs, but we expect to see both in showrooms by the end of the year with a price tag of around $65,000 for the GLC 43 and potentially over $90,000 for the GLC 63.
