The hottest version of the latest Mercedes-Benz GLC crossover is now on sale, packing Mercedes-AMG’s new turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain.
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance and GLC 63 S E Performance Coupe are due to arrive in showrooms this week, and are available to order now.
As with the latest C 63 sedan, the GLC 63 crossovers have dispensed with the old twin-turbo V8 in favour of a new PHEV powertrain.
Though it’s down four cylinders, power and torque are up. Total system outputs are 500kW of power and 1020Nm of torque, up 125kW and 320Nm on the old V8.
The powertrain consists of:
- a 350kW/545Nm turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine
- a nine-speed automatic transmission featuring a wet start-off clutch instead of a torque converter
- a 6.1kWh battery
- a 150kW/320Nm electric motor fitted with a two-speed transmission
Fully variable all-wheel drive is standard, allowing up to 100 per cent of the power to be sent to the rear.
The claimed 0-100km/h time is 3.5 seconds, down from 3.8 seconds in the old car.
As with the less powerful GLC 43 – of which list pricing is between $52,600 and $56,500 cheaper – there’s standard double wishbone front and rear suspension, along with AMG Ride Control with adaptive damping, active roll stabilisation, and rear-axle steering.
A standard high-performance composite braking system includes six-piston fixed calipers at the front and one-piston floating calipers at the rear.
The rear-axle steering has a maximum steering angle of 2.5 degrees, allowing the rear wheels to turn in the opposite direction to the fronts at speeds of up to 100km/h for greater agility.
They’ll turn in parallel with the front wheels to a maximum of 0.7 degrees at speeds above 100km/h for improved stability.
For a limited time, an Edition 1 package will be available. You can view a full breakdown of what’s included in this package in the Options section.
The GLC 63 S E Performance models slot in above the previously released GLC 43, which also uses a turbo 2.0-litre four, albeit without a PHEV system.
Pricing
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance | $192,900 |
| 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance Coupe | $199,500 |
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Drivetrains
| Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance | |
|---|---|
| Engine power | 350kW |
| Engine torque | 545Nm |
| Electric motor power | 150kW |
| Electric motor torque | 320Nm |
| Total system power | 500kW |
| Total system torque | 1020Nm |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Nine-speed automatic |
| 0-100km/h time | 3.5 seconds |
| Top speed | 275km/h |
Efficiency
Local fuel economy figures aren’t yet available.
Claimed electric-only range is 14km.
Dimensions
| Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance wagon | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4979mm |
| Width | 1920mm (2076mm including mirrors) |
| Height | 1635mm |
| Wheelbase | 2888mm |
Servicing and Warranty
Mercedes-AMG vehicles are backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Service pricing isn’t yet available for the new GLC 63 S E Performance.
Safety
The Mercedes-Benz GLC range has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, though this hasn’t been extended to AMG models yet.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keep assist
- Traffic light recognition
- Surround-view camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
Standard Equipment
- 21-inch forged wheels
- AMG Active Ride Control suspension
- AMG Night Package II with darkened grille, black chrome badging
- AMG Track Pace track data logging
- AMG Driver’s Package
- Semi-autonomous parking assist
- Panoramic sunroof
- LED headlights with adaptive high-beam
- Nappa leather upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Power-adjustable front seats with four-way lumbar
- Head-up display
- AMG Performance multifunction steering wheel
- 11.9-inch MBUX touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite navigation with augmented reality
- Burmester 3D sound system
- Dual-zone climate control
- Wireless phone charger
- 8m charging cable for domestic sockets
Options
There are a range of options available.
The Edition 1 Package costs $12,900 and adds:
- Manufaktur graphite grey magno paint
- Foling with colour gradation
- AMG Aerodynamics Package
- Light-alloy wheels with Edition 1 and AMG labelling
- Yellow brake calipers
- Silver chrome fuel filler cap
- AMG indoor car cover with Edition logo
- AMG Performance seats
- Black Nappa leather upholstery with yellow contrast stitching, Edition logo
- Yellow seat belts
- Illuminated sill plates
- Carbon-fibre trim
- AMG Performance steering wheel with carbon fibre, microfibre
- Floor mats with Edition logo, yellow stitching
It removes the standard aluminium-look running boards.
The Performance Ergonomic Package ($6900) adds:
- AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather, Microcut microfibre
- AMG Performance multicontour front seats
A ceramic composite braking system is an additional $8300.
