3.7s 2018 Mercedes-AMG GLC63-S – Ready To Stomp Macan?

Who’s got two thumbs and an evolving supercar dream ride?

This-guy!  For my dream daily, the vision has gone from a four-door coupe to a proper fast wagon over my 20s as a car enthusiast.  Into my 30s, the evolved dream knows a CUV of some kind is right.  Something F-Pace ish that will fit my dogs in the back seat, and tolerate brief soft-roading.

The temptation to offroad my old and very-low Subaru Legacy GT wagon led to countless new wheels and body damage.  I am a guy who loves a fast gravel path to anywhere.

I also really want massive straight-line pace, tight cornering and floaty highway manners.  Hard combo.

Enter the new GLC63 twins from AMG.  Massive V8, air ride with height settings, remote flaps in exhaust, lenient 4matic and proportions to invite stares.  A grip package like a racecar and bodykit to match.

That is the dream daily.

These two are quite magnificent.  Love the new retro-inspired toothy grin on the grille of the 63-S.  It nicely mirrors the look of the new AMG GT’s and the LeMans-winner we snapped a few weeks back in Amelia.

More details below the gallery.  GLC and GLC Coupe each come with a 63 S option with extra torque.  At its quickest, this is a factory CUV meeting all requirements — and bombing to 60-mph in 3.7-seconds.  Bam!

This will make a hell of a rival to the Macan Turbo. A pair, no less.

So, which would it be for you?  GLC or GLC Coupe?  Coupe gets my vote!  Mostly because it will be rarer for its delightful impracticality.

 

 

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S Coupe

The new Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+ and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+ Coupé occupy exceptional positions in their respective markets on every front. They are the only vehicles in their segment to be powered by an eight-cylinder biturbo engine. Mercedes-AMG thus meets the wishes of those customers who, also in a mid-size Performance SUV, are looking for a combination of superior power delivery along with a highly emotive, unmistakable engine sound.

“For us, the new GLC 63 4MATIC+ is a quite special vehicle. It is no easy job designing an SUV to be highly sporty and dynamic while at the same time offering inherent extreme driving stability. This required us to put our heart and soul, along with our many years of SUV expertise, into the development of this vehicle. The result is an SUV that can be driven with high precision and agility and which, if required, is equally at home on a high-speed lap of the race track. With our V8 biturbo engine, we hold a decisive USP in the Performance market. What is more, with SUV and Coupé, we offer the widest choice in the segment. Also, the technical closeness to our sports cars is visually underlined by the Panamericana grille, which was previously reserved for our AMG GT models,” says Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S

Technical data at a glance

  

 

AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+ Coupé

AMG GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ Coupé

Engine

4.0-litre V8 with direct injection and twin turbochargers

4.0-litre V8 with direct injection and twin turbochargers

Displacement

3982 cc

3982 cc

Output

350 kW (476 hp) at

5500-6250 rpm

375 kW (510 hp) at

5500-6250 rpm

Max. torque

650 Nm at 1750-4500 rpm

700 Nm at 1750-4500 rpm

Drive system

AMG Performance 4MATIC+ permanent all-wheel drive with variable torque distribution

AMG Performance 4MATIC+ permanent all-wheel drive with variable torque distribution

Transmission

AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9-speed sports transmission

AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9‑speed sports transmission

Combined fuel consumption

combined

10.7–10.3 l/100 km

10.7 l/100 km

Combined CO₂ emissions

244-234 g/km

244 g/km

Efficiency class

E

F

Weight (DIN/EC)

1935 kg*/ 2010 kg**

1945 kg*/ 2020 kg**

Acceleration 0-100 km/h

4.0 s

3.8 s

Top speed

250 km/h***

250 km/h***

* Kerb weight according to DIN, without driver; ** Kerb weight according to EC, with driver and weight (68 kg + 7 kg), *** Electronically governed

Unique offering in the segment with V8 biturbo engine

SUV and Coupé are available as basic and S-model variants: the proven AMG 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine puts out 350 kW (476 hp) or 375 kW (510 hp) with a max. torque of 650 or 700 Nm. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h is completed by the GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ in just 3.8 seconds, while the GLC 63 4MATIC+ takes 4.0 seconds. The top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).

V8 biturbo closely related to engine in the Mercedes-AMG GT

The 4.0-litre eight-cylinder biturbo engine is already used in numerous AMG Performance vehicles. It is also installed in the AMG GT sports car with dry sump lubrication. A characteristic feature is that the two turbochargers are positioned not on the outside of the cylinder banks, but inside the cylinder “V”. The main advantages of this design are the compact engine construction, optimal response and low exhaust gas emissions. One mechanic assembles each engine in the engine shop in Affalterbach according to the “one man – one engine” principle.

Short shift times, high efficiency: the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9-speed transmission

The new GLC 63 4MATIC+ and GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ feature the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9-speed transmission, which made its debut in the Mercedes-AMG E 63 4MATIC+. The driver benefits from extremely short shift/response times. Fast multiple downshifts and the double-declutching function make for a highly emotive gearshift experience. A start-off wet clutch replaces the torque converter. This saves weight and optimises the response to the driver’s accelerator pedal input, particularly on acceleration and during load changes.

AMG Performance 4MATIC+ variable all-wheel drive

After the E-Class from Mercedes-AMG, the GLC, too, now comes with AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive. This intelligent system unites the advantages of different drive concepts: the fully variable torque distribution to the front and rear axles ensures optimal traction right up to the physical limit. The driver is also able to rely on high driving stability and handling safety under all conditions, both in the dry and in the wet or in snow. The transition from rear-wheel to all-wheel drive and vice versa is seamless, because intelligent control is integrated into the overall vehicle system architecture.

An electromechanically controlled clutch connects the permanently driven rear axle fully variably to the front axle. The best possible torque distribution is continuously computed according to the driving conditions and driver’s input. Transitions are seamless and based on a sophisticated matrix. Alongside traction and lateral dynamics, the all-wheel drive also improves the longitudinal dynamics for even more powerful acceleration.

For a personalised experience: AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs

The four AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport Plus” and “Individual” allow the driver to extensively influence the characteristics of the GLC E 63 4MATIC+. This modifies key parameters, such as the response of engine, transmission, suspension, steering, ESP^® and all-wheel drive. Independently of the DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs, the driver has the option of pressing the “M” button to switch directly to manual mode, in which gearshifts are executed exclusively using the shift paddles on the steering wheel. The suspension settings can also be specially selected if required.

“Comfort” is the balanced drive program with a comfort-oriented suspension and steering set-up as well as a fuel-efficient powertrain configuration with early upshifts – including smooth gearshifts and a restrained engine sound. The ECO start/stop function and coasting function are activated. This is how it works: When the driver releases the accelerator in a speed range between 60 and 160 km/h, the clutch of the MCT transmission opens and the engine is decoupled from the powertrain. The electronics lower the engine speed to idle and driving resistance is reduced by the compression and friction forces of the engine on overrun.

The DYNAMIC SELECT “Sport” and “Sport Plus” drive programs are designed for high driving dynamics. This results from an agile accelerator pedal characteristic with direct set-up and emotively appealing gearshifts with shorter shift times and double-clutching function on downshifts. The increased idle speed in “Sport Plus” also enables especially fast pull-away and acceleration from rest.

The GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ has an additional “RACE” drive program, in which all the parameters are configured for maximum performance. With a total of five drive programs, the Performance SUV once again offers the widest choice in the segment.

Exhaust system with flap technology for variable engine sound

The as-standard typical V8 engine sound comes courtesy of an exhaust system with flap technology. It is controlled by a map and automatically operated depending on the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive program, the power demanded by the driver and the engine speed. Optionally available is the Performance exhaust system, which allows the sound to be modulated at the press of a button. In any case, the exhaust systems are so designed that all noise limits are complied with irrespective of the flap position. 

Specific suspension for maximum lateral and longitudinal dynamics

The agility, highly dynamic lateral acceleration and maximum grip of the new models are also thanks to the new AMG suspension with fully supporting multi-chamber air suspension, which ensures exceptionally high levels of camber stability, driving dynamics and steering precision.

The front axle features a four-link design with special steering knuckles, optimised elastokinematics and radial brake connections. Independent wheel control and wheel suspension elements enable higher lateral acceleration with minimal torque steer.

The concept for the rear axle was carried over from the E 63 4MATIC+ and specially matched to the requirements of the GLC. The model-specific multi-link concept impresses with highly precise wheel control and increased stiffness. The AMG-specific rear axle carrier makes the wider track possible in comparison with the GLC from Mercedes-Benz, while the contact surfaces of the wheel bearings have also been moved further outwards. Other measures include AMG-specific wheel carriers, stiffer elastokinematic tuning and higher negative camber.