Flagship of new Mercedes-Benz GLC range confirmed for Oz launch next year, alongside new GLC 43
Mercedes-AMG high-performance versions of the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC mid-size luxury SUV have been unveiled ahead of their Australian launch in the second quarter of next year.
Bolstering the local range that currently only includes the just-launched GLC 300, the headline act is the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance, which features the same manic 500kW four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain as the AMG flagship of the new C-Class sedan range.
The less-aggressive 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 will also be available, launching at the same time as the new GLC 63 S.
Australian pricing and specifications are still to be released, but as carsales reported last week the GLC 43 is expected to land around the $150,000 mark while the GLC 63 S will likely break through the $200,000 barrier.
The second-generation GLC range will be expanded further in our market with the new GLC Coupe, which is likely to be offered in the same three variants as the wagon.
As expected, the AMG versions of the GLC use mechanicals found in the corresponding C-Class models, which sees the abandonment of the previous 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 (375kW/700Nm) in the 63 and the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 (287kW/520Nm) in the 43.
Instead, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance uses a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid powertrain that develops no less than 500kW and 1020Nm of torque.
This is courtesy of the front-mounted 350kW/545Nm combustion engine and rear-mounted 150kW/320Nm electric motor, driving all four wheels via a nine-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission and AMG Performance 4MATIC+ four-wheel drive system with fully variable torque distribution.
Integral to the system is a 6.1kWh battery that provides up to 80kW (or 150kW for 10sec bursts) and also enables the GLC to run on electric power alone for up to 12km.
Mercedes-Benz claims the new 2310kg GLC 63 can accelerate to 100km/h in a mere 3.5 seconds, on its way to an electronically limited 275km/h top speed.
Combined-cycle fuel consumption is rated at 7.5L/100km.
The GLC 43 tones things down a little with its own electrically boosted version of the familiar M139 turbo-four, though it still belts out 310kW and 500Nm – plus an extra 10kW/150Nm for brief periods under full throttle, thanks to its 48-volt mild-hybrid system.
Tipping the scales at 1975kg, the GLC 43 also drives through a nine-speed auto and AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, in this case with a rear-biased 39/61 per cent torque split.
It can sprint to 100km/h in a claimed 4.8sec and has the same 275km/h governed v-max as the GLC 63 S. Economy is listed at 9.8-10.2L/100km.
All the usual AMG-specific exterior, cabin and mechanical enhancements are found on the new GLC 63 and 43, including AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive damping, AMG Dynamic Select drive programs (five for GLC 43, eight for GLC 63 S), AMG Active Ride Control (63 S only), three-stage AMG speed-sensitive steering and active rear-axle steering.
AMG braking hardware on the GLC 43 extends to internally ventilated and perforated discs measuring 370/360mm front/rear, clamped by four/single-piston callipers respectively. The GLC 63 S uses 390/370mm rotors front/rear with six-piston grippers up front and, as per 43, a single-piston floating calliper at the rear.
Various exterior equipment packages are available overseas – Exterior Night and Carbon, for example – while the GLC 63 S can also be ordered in Edition 1 spec during the first 12 months of production.
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Keyword: 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance unveiled