Shropshire Star

UK Drive: The Mercedes-AMG GLC63S takes the performance SUV game to a whole new level

The Mercedes-AMG can hit 60mph in under four seconds, and yet has more than enough room for the whole family. Jack Evans finds out what this V8-powered SUV is like out on the road

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The GLC63S makes short work of long distances

What is it?

In a world where emissions are a daily conversation topic and electric-powered vehicles seem the way that the future of motoring is headed, then you’d be forgiven for thinking that there wasn’t much of a place for a V8-powered, 503bhp super-SUV. However, the good folks at Mercedes-AMG beg to differ, and it’s why we now have this – the GLC63S.

The GLC's styling makes it particularly imposing on the road
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Capable of carrying five people in comfort yet able to deliver earth-shattering performance, it’s designed to take on the likes of the Porsche Macan Turbo and Alfa Romeo Stelvio QV. Can it deliver on UK roads though? We find out.

What’s new?

The ‘regular’ GLC is a pretty mundane, efficient and easy-to-drive mid-sized SUV. The GLC63 manages the final point of those three – however it’s anything but mundane, or efficient for that matter. Capable of hitting 60mph in 3.6 seconds, it’ll give most supercars a run for their money in performance terms, and yet it’s got useful 550 litres of boot space – and you can even extend that by folding the rear seats flat.

The GLC63S is one of the fastest SUVs on sale today
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You do get a full all-wheel-drive system, here controlled by ‘Dynamic Select’ technology, allowing you to switch between Eco, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes, with each affecting the way the car rides and accelerates.

What’s under the bonnet?

Sat underneath the GLC’s bonnet is Mercedes-AMG’s now tried-and-tested 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. It’s the same unit we’ve seen in AMG models across the range, and there’s a reason for that – it’s very, very good. Power output here is a healthy 503bhp, while torque sits at 700Nm. It means that the GLC is capable of hitting an electronically limited top speed of 174mph – pretty good for a heavy, all-wheel-drive SUV.

That said, economy isn’t great – as you’d likely expect. Drive it carefully, and Mercedes say you’ll manage 26.4mpg, though it’s likely to mostly hover around the 20mpg mark.

What’s it like to drive?

It’s a strange sensation to feel a car of this size accelerate with such ferocity. Press the throttle, and there’s a minute pause as the turbos get going before all hell breaks loose. The gearshift is sharp and precise, while the engine note is pretty addictive. The steering has a decent amount of directness, even if it is lacking feel – and the whole car feels far smaller than it actually is when travelling at speed.

The GLC63S is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre engine
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You can set the air suspension into its firmest, Sport+ setting, but in truth this makes it far too harsh for UK roads, with each and every surface imperfection transferred to the cabin. As is with most cars of this type the suspension is best left in its softest setting, which makes it pliable enough to be comfortable, without adding too much body roll to the whole car.

How does it look?

The regular GLC benefits from good proportions, and the 63S takes these and beefs them up considerably. The front grille is aggressive and in-your-face, while the rear is dominated by the car’s imposing exhaust pipes. All in, it looks as purposeful as you’d want – the wider track certainly contributing to the GLC’s presence.

The V8 engine features in a variety of Mercedes-AMG models
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You can, of course, get the GLC63S in coupe specification. This makes the car look even out-there, thanks to an elongated rear section and huge rear light clusters. Personally, we’d opt for the regular SUV version – it looks to the more purposeful of the two, and just makes more visual sense – in our eyes at least.

What’s it like inside?

It’s actually the interior that lets the GLC63 down a little. The materials are decent enough, with lots of leather and carbon-fibre applied all over the place. However, it uses Mercedes’ now previous-generation infotainment system, which comprises of a small screen mounted to the top of the dash. It just looks a little behind the times, particularly when you compare it to the smart widescreen setup you’ll find in a variety of the latest Mercedes vehicles.

The cabin is let down by an outdated infotainment system
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Elsewhere, everything just feels a little out-of-date – though that’s not to say it’s uncomfortable, far from it. The sports seats provide plenty of support, and there’s plenty of adjustment too. There’s lots of space for those sat in the back, and as we mentioned earlier, there’s a good amount of room in the boot too.

What’s the spec like?

The GLC63S has a long list of standard equipment – though you’d like to think it would, given the car’s £76,070 starting price. The ‘S’ specification sees features such as 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels added to the car, as well as performance seats and an electronical rear axle differential lock. A full infotainment system is fitted too, which includes satellite navigation and media functions, while there is a vast suite of assistance features fitted as standard – systems such as active parking assist, adaptive brake lights and collision prevention all come included as part of the car’s base price.

The GLC's speakers provide a high-quality sound
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Our test car came with a variety of optional extras, with elements such as high-performance ceramic brakes, a performance exhaust and the interior carbon-fibre package bumping the car’s price up to £89,180.

Verdict

The GLC53S is as ridiculous as it is accomplished. The way it accelerates down the road is close to absurd, but this is backed up by a decent ride and surprisingly nimble handling, given the car’s overall size. It may not be the most economical more the most efficient SUV you’ll find on sale today, but it’s easily one of the most exciting. Despite being let down slightly by its interior, the GLC63S is lot of fun – and you can bring the whole family along for the ride, too.Facts at a glance

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