What's significant about the new 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S E-Performance? Let's start by winding the clock back 10 months to our first go in this car's sedan sibling, the latest Mercedes-AMG C63 S. It's not a car that bowled us over - its four-cylinder hybrid powertrain feeling overwrought after the muscle-car swagger of its older namesakes.
Well, this is the first time we've sampled the set-up since. While this GLC63 is almost 150kg heavier - at a gobsmacking 2310kg - much less historical weight is being carried on its shoulders. Halving the cylinder count of a performance car feels a less sacrilegious act when the car is already something of a sin in the first place. Namely, a fast SUV.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1416374258/1700468779/articles/K67bPk9Qs1700472607799/3uxinYylh1700472801472.jpg]
A 350kW tune of the Mercedes-AMG A45's 2.0-litre engine sits up front and pairs with a 150kW electric motor at the rear axle. They bond via a highly adaptable all-wheel-drive system the electric motor can actually send its power up front - with a 3.5sec 0-100km/h time the end result. In the context of EVs, that's not exactly shocking. Engage launch control and your brain will vehemently argue that point, though.
Just like the C63, you could probably write an entire thesis on the GLC63's technological prowess. Its electrical turbo is a 'direct derivative' of AMG's F1 program - less of a boast as Max Verstappen polishes his third title in a row, perhaps - while the electric motor is integrated with the limited-slip diff on the rear axle to help neaten the handling without the ESC needing to intervene.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1416374258/1700468779/articles/K67bPk9Qs1700472607799/4077000371.jpg]
There's standard all-wheel steering, adjustable damping and - unlike the C63 - active anti-roll control. Performance SUVS are no stranger to such systems, and it's borderline essential if they're to properly act the role of a hiked-up sports car.
Alongside its eight different driving modes there are three settings for the ESC and four levels of brake regen', not to mention a decision on whether you'd like to shift through its nine-speed gearbox manually.
The GLC63 will arrive on Australian shores in the second quarter of 2024, with a slinkier Coupe version to follow a few months later. Prices are yet to be confirmed, but there's a good chance the 63 will start at over $200,000. Better get saving.
Predictably, the Australian-market cars will come loaded to the gunwales with gear. The specification includes an AMG-specific 'Supersport' instrument layout and an AMG Track Pace lap timer. The Nappa leather and Artico-trimmed AMG Performance steering wheel is particularly choice. The Euros get an Edition 1 model, but it's yet to be confirmed whether this version - with its carbonfibre exterior trim package, silver or grey matte paint, body kit, and yellow interior highlights will feature here.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1416374258/1700468779/articles/K67bPk9Qs1700472607799/0707701410.jpg]
On road, the GLC63 potters around in a rather luxurious manner when left in its default Comfort mode, which sees the engine dip into the background as often as possible - just with the full 500kW always lurking away with a simple throttle pedal...
Well, this is the first time we've sampled the set-up since. While this GLC63 is almost 150kg heavier - at a gobsmacking 2310kg - much less historical weight is being carried on its shoulders. Halving the cylinder count of a performance car feels a less sacrilegious act when the car is already something of a sin in the first place. Namely, a fast SUV.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1416374258/1700468779/articles/K67bPk9Qs1700472607799/3uxinYylh1700472801472.jpg]
A 350kW tune of the Mercedes-AMG A45's 2.0-litre engine sits up front and pairs with a 150kW electric motor at the rear axle. They bond via a highly adaptable all-wheel-drive system the electric motor can actually send its power up front - with a 3.5sec 0-100km/h time the end result. In the context of EVs, that's not exactly shocking. Engage launch control and your brain will vehemently argue that point, though.
Just like the C63, you could probably write an entire thesis on the GLC63's technological prowess. Its electrical turbo is a 'direct derivative' of AMG's F1 program - less of a boast as Max Verstappen polishes his third title in a row, perhaps - while the electric motor is integrated with the limited-slip diff on the rear axle to help neaten the handling without the ESC needing to intervene.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1416374258/1700468779/articles/K67bPk9Qs1700472607799/4077000371.jpg]
There's standard all-wheel steering, adjustable damping and - unlike the C63 - active anti-roll control. Performance SUVS are no stranger to such systems, and it's borderline essential if they're to properly act the role of a hiked-up sports car.
Alongside its eight different driving modes there are three settings for the ESC and four levels of brake regen', not to mention a decision on whether you'd like to shift through its nine-speed gearbox manually.
The GLC63 will arrive on Australian shores in the second quarter of 2024, with a slinkier Coupe version to follow a few months later. Prices are yet to be confirmed, but there's a good chance the 63 will start at over $200,000. Better get saving.
Predictably, the Australian-market cars will come loaded to the gunwales with gear. The specification includes an AMG-specific 'Supersport' instrument layout and an AMG Track Pace lap timer. The Nappa leather and Artico-trimmed AMG Performance steering wheel is particularly choice. The Euros get an Edition 1 model, but it's yet to be confirmed whether this version - with its carbonfibre exterior trim package, silver or grey matte paint, body kit, and yellow interior highlights will feature here.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1416374258/1700468779/articles/K67bPk9Qs1700472607799/0707701410.jpg]
On road, the GLC63 potters around in a rather luxurious manner when left in its default Comfort mode, which sees the engine dip into the background as often as possible - just with the full 500kW always lurking away with a simple throttle pedal...
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Wheels Australia (Digital) - 1 Issue, December 2023