New Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 now on sale

The updated Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 will cost from £74,599, the firm has revealed. Both the SUV and GLC Coupe are now available to order, with first deliveries starting this autumn. The 503bhp GLC 63 S costs from £83,855, or from £88,345 if you choose the faster ‘S’ badged version of the Coupe. Upgrading to the Premium Plus trim adds £2,500 to each model.

Featuring a 4.0-litre V8 engine, the new car has broken the Nurburgring lap record for production SUVs. When it goes on sale, it’ll rival the Porsche Macan and BMW X3M.

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The twin-turbo 4.0-litre engine sends its power through a nine-speed automatic gearbox and comes with four-wheel drive as standard. There are two versions: a standard model with 469bhp, and a GLC 63 S model with 503bhp. The latter, which is likely to be more popular, takes care of 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and will hit 174mph.

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As you’d expect, this stratospheric performance has an effect at the pumps. The Coupe is the most efficient model, returning a claimed 22.6mpg, with both ‘S’ variants returning 0.5mpg less in mixed driving. CO2 emissions for the GLC 63 SUV variants range from 278-283g/km, with the GLC 63 Coupe models achieving 275-280g/km.

It’s not just the engine that has been upgraded; the flagship Mercedes GLC SUV gets air suspension, adaptive dampers, bigger brakes and a locking differential as standard. The all-wheel-drive system can distribute power to the front and rear wheels - wherever it’s most needed - and in some situations the GLC 63 can be fully rear-wheel drive.

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 looks much more aggressive than a standard GLC, too. The front and rear bumpers have both been thoroughly reworked, there’s a new ‘Panamerica’ grille with vertical slats, and 20-inch wheels are standard-fit. At the rear, the GLC 63 is identifiable by its wide diffuser and squared-off exhaust tips. As an option, you’ll be able to choose 21-inch alloy wheels, among many other extras.

As you might expect, the interior is more special than the standard GLC’s cabin. There are AMG front seats, which’ll support you and keep you in place through fast corners, an AMG steering wheel and a dashboard with new trim. The AMG GLC 63 gets Mercedes’ dual-screen digital infotainment setup, with extra menus to show lap times, G-force and other performance and engine data.

The ‘S’ versions stand out with red brake calipers, 20-inch alloy wheels, AMG Performance seats, an aggressively styled body kit and a redesigned steering wheel. Premium Plus models add a sunroof (which slides on the Coupe), keyless start and a Burmester sound system.

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On the options list, you can choose from a range of features to make these SUVs even faster and hi-tech. The £1,695 Driving Assistance Package Plus option adds steering assistance, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, evasive steering assist and more. On the ‘S’ models, you can also choose high-performance carbon-ceramic brakes for an extra £4,285.

Another notable option is an ‘Energising’ package. Combining the interior ambient lighting, music, climate control and other functions, the pack is claimed to improve the well-being of occupants on long drives.

Read our review of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe if you’d prefer an SUV with sportier looks, or see how the GLC compares to the Porsche Macan.