Photography by Jil McIntosh, additional images courtesy Mercedes.
Mercedes-Benz today revealed the 2020 AMG GLC 63 S SUV and Coupe in advance of the New York Auto Show. The high-performance compact SUV models boast updated exterior styling, the latest version of the MBUX infotainment system, a standard locking rear differential, four handling modes and a new "slippery" drive mode.
Both SUV and Coupe versions of the speediest GLC maintain the same profile, but sport redesigned headlights and tail lights, along with wider wheel arches and new twin trapezoidal tailpipe finishers.
A 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine is carried over from last year, with its 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. That power once again flows through a nine-speed transmission to the 4Matic AWD system. Working together, engine and drivetrain promise 0-100 km/h acceleration of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 280 km/h.
New this year is a standard locking rear differential that Mercedes-AMG says reduces wheelspin at the inside rear wheel in corners, promising quicker acceleration out of turns.
In more restrained driving, a new slippery drive mode tailors the powertrain and stability control system for maximum grip in less-than-optimal road conditions. Slippery mode joins the Comfort, Sport, Sport plus, Race and Individual modes carried over from last year's GLC 63.
Twenty-inch wheels are standard, while light-alloy 21-inch wheels are a new option for 2020.
The driver receives a new steering wheel sporting touch control buttons to control the digital gauge display, and there are also new buttons that can be configured to adjust performance parameters of the driver's choosing.
The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S follows other Benz models in adopting the newest version of the brand's MBUX infotainment system. It promises faster responses to voice controls and can be optioned with the MBUX interior assistant with gesture control, which allows operation of certain functions by hand movements. The assistant can also differentiate between the driver and passenger and uses artificial intelligence to predict what either front seat occupant wishes to do based on their movements and habits.
MBUX also includes a virtual engineer to help the driver analyze their driving in order to improve racetrack lap times.
Lucas Dias of Mercedes-Benz Canada says the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S will roll into Canadian dealers in late fall or early winter of this year. Pricing will be announced closer to its arrival.
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