New Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 gets 449hp six-pot
The replacement of '63'-spec four-cylinder hybrids with 3.0-litre sixes kicks off with perennially popular SUV
AMG boss Michael Schiebe was pretty emphatic in his comments last week. The company would be “doubling down” on its SUV offensive, for the simple fact that they sell ruddy loads of them. That’s not a direct quote, but when more than 50 per cent of sales fall into that category (and AMG wants to sell 200,000 cars this year, like BMW M) then they clearly have to be a priority. And nowhere more so than in the mid-size segment; we’d surely all link to think that an AMG SUV is a G63, but that’s patently not the case. Cars like the X3-rivalling GLC are the priority, especially with the M50 version of that car now BMW M’s best seller. And you can bet that the outgoing GLC 63, with the 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid setup, was not AMG’s. Because, well, have you ever seen one?
So here we have a new AMG GLC, this time around a '53'. So that means less power than the old 680hp flagship, but the charm of three litres and six cylinders as recompense. It’s a layout that works for the X3 (inline six, 398hp) and the Audi SQ5 (V6, 367hp), meaning Mercedes has now decided to join in the party. As per the rest of the 53 range (when it isn’t a plug-in hybrid), the mild-hybrid 3.0-litre turbo makes 449hp, offering up an immediate advantage of those two main rivals. Furthermore, this is a new evolution of the M256 engine, boasting a redesigned head with new ports for both intake and exhaust, a different cam for the former (the entire intake system is revised, actually), plus a new intercooler.
Consequently, torque is up compared to previous installations, with 443lb ft as standard and 473lb ft on overboost against 413 and 443 previously. Peak power is still made between 5,800rpm and 6,100rpm, albeit with ‘even more responsive behaviour’ thanks to more power from the electric compressor and ‘powerful acceleration across the entire rev range right up to the limiter’ promised. There’s even a new exhaust to really let the straight-six sing; the ‘bassy sound during strong acceleration’ sounds good - the ‘characteristic crackling on throttle lift-off’ not so much.
The nine-speed auto that’s always mated to this engine has also been tweaked for the GLC 53. AMG promises both ‘short shift times’ and ‘quick reactions’, with manual shifting always available regardless of drive mode. It means 0-62mph takes just 4.2 seconds, but with up to 30mpg also said to be possible on the official cycle.
The GLC’s chassis has been totally redesigned for the 53, with the standard steel suspension setup now benefitting from dual valve (one for compression, one for rebound) adaptive dampers. Given the sternness with which high-riding AMGs can, um, ride, an improvement there will surely be welcome. You’d have to imagine that ditching the plug-in element results in a weight saving over the old 63’s 2,310kg, which should also benefit ride and handling. Not that any laurels are being rested on: to take full advantage the 53 gets standard four-wheel steer, a ‘more rear-biased’ ESP Sport mode and the usual gamut of AMG Dynamic Select settings. There’s also ‘three-stage AMG parameter steering’, working with the rear steer to make it easier around town while offering ‘even more feedback’ in Sport and Sport+. We’ll believe that when we feel it, because it sounds like another layer of unnecessary complexity for the moment.
To take full advantage of what the 53 can do, however, buyers will need to opt for the AMG Dynamic Plus package (which won’t come cheap; it’s £7,500 on a CLE). It promises a lot: a rear LSD is thrown in, to take full advantage of a RWD Drift Mode (made possible by fully variable 4WD), active engine mounts, and an AMG Performance wheel for throwing armfuls of opposite lock at your family SUV. Course it’s all a bit silly, but isn’t that why we loved AMG in the first place?
Speaking of options, there’ll be plenty available to make sure your GLC stands out from the rest at the Miele Experience Centre. There’s something called AMG Real Performance Sound, which is basically an exhaust with a manually controllable flap to let everyone around know you didn’t buy a four-cylinder ‘63. Additionally the looks can be pumped up with an AMG Design Plus Package (bigger splitters and spoilers, a different diffuser), a pair of Night Packages (because everyone loves black AMGs) and even something called a Golden Accents Package. Which you can probably make an educated guess on. Mercifully, that’s only available for the first year of GLC 53 production.
Schiebe said of the new car: “With the new GLC 53, our goal was to make its Affalterbach DNA even more tangible – with more emotion, more character, and even more fun to drive. To achieve this, we have significantly upgraded our six-cylinder engine. Together with the sophisticated chassis and the fully variable all-wheel drive, it makes the GLC 53 a highly dynamic vehicle with exceptional versatility.” Which does sound pretty promising. There’s not a UK price confirmed yet, though we can make some assumptions. The old GLC was the best part of £110,000, and it seems unlikely to be as much as that with more than 200hp less. But with more power than its direct rivals, the 53 is surely going to be pricier than the X3 M50 and SQ5, which start at £73,715 and £72,825 respectively. Expect that RRP to be confirmed in the coming weeks, ahead of sales later in 2026. By which time we’ll know about all the other AMG SUVs that are coming, too…
t. Show me a nice metallic blue one with silver wheels and trim.
How can this be an AMG model when their competitors produce faster standard model 6 cylinder variants??
How can this be an AMG model when their competitors produce faster standard model 6 cylinder variants??
I'm also pleased that Merc have put the straight 6 in this now as well.
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