2023-07-18 12:11:42
The redesigned 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC has just launched, but some buyers may find its single 255-horsepower engine lacking a bit of oomph.
But starting early next year, the 2024 Mercedes GLC will be available in a snappy AMG GLC 43 variant with 416 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, good for cutting the 0-60 time to 4.7 seconds.
And later in the year, the 2025 AMG GLC 63 SE Performance will debut, powered by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four used in the GLC 300 and AMG GLC 43, but this time paired with a plug-in hybrid system.
The powertrain produces 671 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful small SUV on the market. Its estimated 0-60 time of 3.4 seconds makes it half a second quicker than the BMW X3 M and slightly quicker than the Maserati Grecale Trofeo.
The AMG GLC 43 and its sporty touch
As with the related C-Class sedan, the GLC only has four cylinders in this generation. That means the turbocharged V6 that used to drive the AMG GLC 43 is gone, replaced by a more powerful version of the GLC 300’s turbo-four.
We’ll surely miss the six-cylinder’s raspy growl, especially since the 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds hasn’t changed between generations. On the one hand, it’s a testament to the engineering of AMG’s performance division: it offers the same performance with two fewer cylinders.
This is partly due to an electric motor located inside the turbocharger. Powered by the GLC’s 48-volt mild hybrid system, the engine allows the turbo to spin faster than it might using exhaust pressure alone.
The fewer cylinder counts might also translate to lower fuel consumption, but fuel economy figures are not yet available.
The front of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC
The AMG GLC 43 also brings a handful of dynamic upgrades, from standard adaptive dampers to a rear-axle steering system.
The nine-speed transmission also features a pull-start clutch instead of a conventional torque converter, so you may feel a bit of hesitation when starting, similar to what you’d notice in a dual-clutch automatic transmission. .
The exterior is further equipped with an aerodynamic body kit with large air intakes, vertical grille elements and quad exhaust tips to set it apart from the everyday GLC 300.
Exclusive interior trim items include front sport seats upholstered with faux leather/synthetic suede upholstery and special graphics for the MBUX infotainment system.
The AMG GLC 43 also comes with a flat-bottom AMG steering wheel with two dials that give the driver quick and easy access to modify drive mode settings.
The AMG GLC 63 SE Performance is faster
Under the hood of the AMG GLC 63 is an even more complex powertrain than the GLC 43.
It features the same M139l engine, but the turbocharger is larger, the electrical system has been upgraded to 400 volts, and there is an electric motor located on the rear axle capable of delivering 107 hp continuously or 201 hp in short bursts.
That motor is connected to both a two-speed transmission and a 6.1 kWh battery pack, which isn’t huge by plug-in hybrid standards, but the GLC 63 isn’t your typical PHEV.
While the GLC 63 can travel in EV mode with a sufficiently charged battery, Mercedes says performance is the battery’s primary goal, not range.
Mercedes hasn’t quoted EV range yet, but the smaller C 63 can only go 8 miles on a fully charged battery with the same capacity.
In contrast to the GLC 43, the GLC 63 is actually projected to be faster than its last-generation counterpart, and this is reflected in fuel economy compared to the previous model. V8.
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