Mercedes-AMG is applying the full AMG treatment to the GLC SUV and GLC coupe. The GLC 63s will get all-wheel drive, bigger brakes, a new nose, and - most importantly - either 476 or 510 hp from a 4.0L twin-turbo V8.
The two GLC 63 models are the upright conventional-bodied GLC and the X6-style GLC Coupe. The GLC 63 will come with the 476 hp hand-built V8, as will the GLC 63 Coupe, but the latter will also have a GLC 63 S Coupe model available that boost the power to 510 hp and torque to 516 lb-ft. They'll all get the new nine-speed automatic that showed up first in the 2018 AMG E63. That transmission uses wet clutches instead of a torque converter to save weight and improve response. There is a mechanical limited-slip rear axle to help get that power to the ground.
Power goes to the wheels through Mercedes-AMG's 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system. It has electromagnetically controlled clutches that can move power around front and rear depending on the drive mode. No news on if it will get the E 63's drift mode, but the GLC Coupe gets a special Race mode, in case you want maximum track day performance from your two-tonne SUV. The regular 63 can hit 100 km/h from a standstill in 4.0 seconds, and AMG claims the S can do it in 3.8.
The front suspension gets special steering knuckles, different bushings, and changes to the brake brackets. They have an AMG air suspension to improve dynamics and increase grip. At the rear, the GLC 63 models share the multi-link rear axle created for the E 63 that allows a wider track and more negative camber for improved cornering. There are also adaptive dampers that allow different settings for comfort and sport and they help control the standard 19-inch and available 21-inch wheels
The body gets a big round of AMG aero and styling changes, but the big difference is an AMG GT-style Panamericana grille. It's the first time they've put that grille on something outside of the AMG GT lineup. It's bold and it looks amazing. The wheel arches have gotten bigger to fit the larger tires and wider track, there are side sills to make the GLC look lower to the ground, and the front and rear bumpers get splitters and diffusers.
The interior is synthetic leather and microfiber, with heavily bolstered sports seats. The dash gets aluminium trim, and the center stack has an array of buttons to control the AMG-specific dynamic mode, ride control, stability control, and performance exhaust sound. The S adds a performance steering wheel and a unique gauge cluster.
If you want the yellow trim in some of the photos, act quickly. That's the special Edition 1 trim. It includes the yellow accents outside, and more yellow inside. But it also adds 21-inch forged wheels, diamond pattern seats, a performance steering wheel, and more carbon fibre trim.
The GLC 63 SUV and Coupe and the GLC 63 S Coupe will be shown at the New York auto show next week, and they should arrive in showrooms this fall.
