The Mercedes-Benz price list is a monumental piece of work these days, but it seems there's still space for more within it: welcome, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63. The V8 cousin to the V6 AMG
GLC43
, a car that itself is the compact SUV alternative to the C-Class saloon. Still with us?
You don't like it? GLC doesn't care.
Mercedes hasn't gone off on one and stuck a diesel engine in it, either (cough,
*Audi*
). Nope it's going the full V8 route with the 63, which this set of barely-disguised spy shots has confirmed is now not far off at all. We don't yet know the confirmed power, but if the guys with the wry smile in Affalterbach have their way, you can bet there'll be a GLC63 S version dishing out a tasty 510hp to get Porsche hurrying up the launch of the Macan Turbo S.
Take it as read that it'll be quick, will probably do 0-62mph in around 4.5 seconds and sound suitably guttural. The quad AMG exhausts should see to that. Looks like it's getting a meatier rear bumper as well - and what's with that intriguing gurney strip on the roof spoiler? Should we look forward to seeing knock-off versions of those on GLC 220d SE in years to come?
The best bit of all, though, is the stance this new GLC63 looks to have. Does it appear potent or what? Low, pumped, muscular, big wheels, deep front bumper: it simply oozes attitude. Looks like AMG's insisted on a proper job here, alright, rather than Porsche-style 'is that a Diesel or a Turbo?'. Chuck in what could be an AMG GT3-style grille hiding behind that disguise tape, too, for an SUV even the haters may love.
Also note how the plastic wheelarch extensions have themselves been extended with plastic winglets at the rear. Extending the extensions: now that's the sort of track width we like.
Expect the beast, which should pack 4MATIC so it's not completely unhinged, to roll up fully uncovered sometime in the first half of 2017. Quite unexpectedly, we're rather looking forward to it.
[Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]