The top 3 things you need to know about the Mercedes-AMG GLC
Available in two body styles, each with a choice between two engines, the Mercedes-AMG GLC range covers a pretty wide spectrum of the high-performance mid-size premium SUV-crossover market. Let’s take a closer look at the top 3 things you need to know about these AMG speedsters.
Go anywhere at a tremendous pace!
It’s not like anyone would confuse a Mercedes GLC of any description with a real off-roader, although it’s actually surprisingly capable when the going gets tough. But, for the GLC’s AMG derivatives, the emphasis is on performance instead of overlanding abilities. Everything is tuned accordingly: firmer dampers, stiffer springs and uprated brakes keep proceedings under control, and the powertrain is programmed (and boosted) to ensure that there’s always a surfeit of power at hand.
Related: Three things you probably didn’t know about the Mercedes-Benz GLC
1. A choice between V6 and V8 power
In keeping with AMG’s current “two-tier” strategy, the hot GLC can be had in two flavours: hot and scalding. In this case, the “entry-level” GLC43 variant features a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 with direct injection – likely this engine’s last application before it gets superseded by the new inline-6 engine that’s found in AMG “53” models.
It might be an older-generation power unit, but its outputs are still very competitive, with 287 kW and 520 Nm, and performance is accordingly brisk: the 0 – 100 km/h dash is dispatched in a claimed 4.9 seconds, and its top speed is governed at 250 km/h. This strong acceleration is made possible by a slick-shifting 9-speed automatic gearbox, along with 4Matic AWD ensuring that all the power gets poured onto the tarmac.
But, if all-out speed is your main priority, you’ll want to look at the much-pricier GLC63 S instead. Under the bonnet is Mercedes-Benz/AMG’s “corporate” V8 engine, tuned for 375 kW and 700 Nm in this application, giving a sprint to 100 km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds and a 280 km/h top end. This bump in performance comes with a fuel consumption penalty, though: the GLC63 S is claimed to drink an average of 12.4 ℓ/100 km, as opposed to the GLC53’s claim of 10.6 ℓ/100 km.
Related: A muscle car that doubles as family transport – we review the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S.
2. SUV or SUV-coupé? Let your wallet decide!
As is the way with many premium-brand manufacturers, there’s a choice of two body styles as well (each one available with either engine). Practical types will undoubtedly prefer the normal SUV-shaped one, because it has more rear-seat headroom and a larger load volume (whether the rear seats are in use or folded down).
Extroverts will likely prefer the GLC coupé instead, simply because it looks rather more distinctive. They’ll need somewhat fatter wallets than SUV buyers, though: the GLC’s coupé variants are almost R 200 000 more expensive than their SUV siblings. Such is the price of enhanced exclusivity?
Related: Top 3 Mercedes-Benz GLC trims head to head – here’s our winner!
3. Updated to remain fresh
Just as the normal “Benz”-badged GLC derivatives came in for a mild update in 2019, so did the AMG-badged ones. In addition to the infotainment system’s update to the new MBUX interface with added functionality, mild styling changes and improved standard equipment (LED headlights are now standard, for example), the Mercedes-AMG GLC range also received some running gear improvements.
The AMG GLC43 came in for a power boost, which sees its turbochargers grow slightly larger (and different control software) to increase top-end power from 270 kW to 287 kW, even though the torque output remains the same at 520 Nm. Different drivetrain programming (which was also applied to the GLC63 S’s 4Matic+ system) further improves agility, by re-profiling the torque management to take better advantage of the rear-biased AWD system.
Related: Find out more about the Mercedes-Benz GLC’s 2019 facelift.
