AMG has finally delivered what many loyalists have been hoping for. The brand has put significantly more displacement back under the hood of the performance-focused GLC and quietly brought its high-performance four-cylinder chapter to a close.
The new Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 becomes the sole performance variant in the range for now, effectively replacing both the former GLC 43 and the plug-in hybrid GLC 63.
Rather than relying on a highly stressed four-cylinder, especially the PHEV setup where electric assistance did much of the heavy lifting, the GLC 53 adopts a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six paired with mild-hybrid technology.
This new powertrain produces 443 hp (449 PS) and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque, with brief overboost moments pushing torque up to 472 lb-ft (640 Nm).
The mild-hybrid system can also contribute short bursts of additional power, helping sharpen throttle response and smooth out delivery.
All that output translates to a 0–62 mph (100 km/h) time of 4.2 seconds when launch control is engaged. That makes it three-tenths quicker than the outgoing 416 hp (422 PS) GLC 43, while also delivering a far more engaging soundtrack.
At the same time, it leaves the GLC 53 trailing the now-discontinued 671 hp (680 PS) GLC 63 PHEV by roughly 0.7 seconds in the same sprint. Top speed is electronically capped at 155 mph (250 km/h), though opting for the right package raises that limit to 168 mph (270 km/h).
On paper, those figures may make the GLC 53 appear like a downgrade compared with the former flagship. AMG, however, insists that the overall driving experience is where the new model shines, placing greater emphasis on feel and character rather than outright statistics.
The inline-six is paired with a newly developed exhaust system featuring special resonators designed to deliver the pops, crackles, and deep growl buyers expect from an AMG product.
Power is sent through a nine-speed automatic transmission and a fully variable all-wheel-drive system capable of directing all torque to the rear axle when conditions allow.
For the first time on an AMG SUV, buyers can also specify an electronically controlled rear limited-slip differential along with a dedicated drift mode. These features come as part of the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package, which also includes active engine mounts and red brake calipers.
Yes, drift mode in a family crossover. Or SUV, to be precise, since the GLC 53 will be offered both as a conventional square-backed GLC SUV and as a sleeker fastback coupe.
Additional performance hardware includes rear-wheel steering, adaptive dampers, and upgraded brakes. Pricing has yet to be officially announced, but expectations are that it will slot neatly between the old GLC 43 and GLC 63.
That likely puts it around £100,000 in the UK and approximately $85,000 in the US, before options. Choosing extras such as the Golden Accents Package, featuring gold-finished cross-spoke wheels and prominent AMG branding, will push the price higher.
This revised AMG naming and powertrain strategy is set to extend beyond the GLC. A similar approach will soon appear in the C-Class lineup, which is expected to drop its four-cylinder C 43 and C 63 variants in favor of a new C 53 later this year.
Still, it’s hard to imagine AMG permanently retiring the 63 badge, especially if that allows BMW M to dominate segments with models like the upcoming X3 M and M3.
Reports from German media suggest AMG is already developing a return of the 63, potentially using a modified version of the S-Class’s flat-plane crank V8. Coincidentally, the brand recently previewed such a powertrain in the limited-run Mythos CLE.
That high-performance coupe is expected to deliver more than 650 hp (659 PS) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm), compared with the 530 bhp (537 PS) and 550 lb-ft (745 Nm) produced by the more comfort-oriented S-Class sedan.
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