2018 AMG GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ SUV and Coupe arriving soon..
July 31 2017, Trevor Hofmann
Performance SUV pretenders had better move aside.
Things in the compact luxury SUV segment are heating up to the point of scalding thanks to the expected arrival of Mercedes-AMG’s new GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ SUV and Coupe. These two were first introduced at the 2017 New York International Auto Show in early April, immediately claiming their combined placement at the very top of the performance SUV hierarchy.
In the compact SUV segment performance numbers currently range from 354 horsepower to 440, and 332 lb-ft of torque to 442, but the three-pointed star leaves such competitors to its already impressive AMG GLC 43 4MATIC. In a swift move of all-conquering dominance the two new AMG GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ models produce 503 scorching horsepower and 516 lb-ft of tire smoking torque.
Class dominating power comes via the Mercedes-AMG GT sports car.
The new class-leading engine is nothing less than Mercedes-AMG’s handcrafted and individually signed twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, a dry-sump version of which is shared with the mighty AMG GT sports car, whereas gear swapping duties come by the brand’s new in-house designed and built AMG SpeedShift MCT 9-speed automatic that debuted in the E 63 S 4MATIC+, a lightweight paddle shifter-actuated transmission boasting a start-off wet clutch (that replaces the torque converter), ultra-short shift/response times, and double-declutching functionality.
Of course, such specifications result in a very quick tag team of sport utilities, with zero to 100 km/h sprints of 3.8 seconds each, aided by an electronic limited-slip rear differential and constantly variable front-to-rear torque distribution from the standard 4MATIC+ all-wheel drivetrain that’s also tuned by AMG. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
Four wheel grip is further enhanced by a standard set of twinned five-spoke lightweight 20-inch alloys on 265/45 front and 295/40 rear performance tires (or optional 21-inch forged alloys with 265/40 front and 295/35 rear rubber) that also help it stop faster via special high-performance brakes featuring 390-millimetre drilled and internally-ventilated discs front and back, whereas an adjustable air suspension with adaptive adjustable damping optimizes cornering capability.
AMG GLC 63 S Coupe 4MATIC+ gets a unique “Race” mode.
What’s more, in order to give the GLC 63 S Coupe 4MATIC+ an edge over its more pragmatic sibling, Mercedes has added a “Race” mode to its usual Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual driver-selectable AMG Dynamic Select performance settings. These modify engine, transmission, suspension, steering, ESP, and all-wheel drive responsiveness depending on demands.
An easy way to tell these ultimate performance SUVs apart from their less formidable brethren are AMG Panamericana-style frontal grilles with unique vertical strakes, similar in design to those found on the much lauded Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster and GT R sports coupe. The GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ and GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ Coupe also benefit from unique front and rear bumper designs, while the wheel arches are widened to fit their meatier rims and rubber, plus the SUV body style gets its first rear rooftop spoiler.
Along with unique exterior detailing comes an exclusive interior.
Inside, special sport seats are covered with Mercedes’ exclusive Artico leatherette bolsters and suede-like Dinamica microfibre inserts, these materials showing up elsewhere around the cabin as well. Additionally, a tasteful supply of aluminum trim joins a mostly black interior that gets spiced up with red accents, not to mention the expected AMG-embossed badges. Beautifully finished carbon-fibre trim is also available, inside and out.
“For us, the new GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ is quite a special vehicle,” said Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “It is no easy job designing an SUV to be highly sporty and dynamic, while at the same time offering exceptional driving stability. This required us to put our heart and soul, along with our many years of SUV expertise, into the development of this vehicle. The result is an SUV that can be driven with high precision and agility and which, if required, is equally at home on a high-speed lap of the racetrack. With our V8 biturbo engine, we hold a decisive USP in the Performance market. What is more, with SUV and Coupe, we offer the widest choice in the segment. Also, the technical closeness to our sports cars is underscored visually by the Panamericana grille, which was previously reserved for our AMG GT models.”
The 2018 Mercedes-AMG 63 S 4MATIC+ SUV and Coupe will arrive at Mercedes-Benz Langley in limited supply later this year. For more information call (604) 533-1205 or drop by the dealership at 20801 Langley Bypass, Langley.
Story credits: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press
Photo credits: Mercedes-Benz
Copyright: Canadian Auto Press Inc.
