Test drive Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S
More than 500 hp, 3,8 s to hundreds and maximum 280 km / h. No, this is not an Italian supercar, but a new compact crossover from Mercedes-AMG
We have no idea what the people of Affalterbach have been embracing for the past few years, but the degree of frenzy in Mercedes-AMG vehicles is growing exponentially. One would think that it peaked in the formula-built Project One hypercar, or in the primordially unbridled GT R coupe that went through hundreds of laps of Green Hell. But these cars seem incredibly rational and appropriate when you analyze and understand for what purpose they were created. But the latest Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S Coupe turn our whole idea of beauty upside down.
Probably, the entire recent history of the automotive industry will not remember a single such compact crossover with a capacity of over 500 forces. Only the closest to it in size Alfa Romeo Stelvio QV with a 510-strong "six" under the hood can argue with this.
But the people at AMG were more sophisticated than the Italians. Indeed, the GLC 63 S and GLC 63 S Coupe are equipped with a four-liter "eight" with double supercharging. As the saying goes: No replacement for displacement. In general, nothing replaces the working volume. This motor is a liter larger than that of the Italians. Hence the moment he has not 600 Nm, but over 700 Newton meters! It is for this reason that the sweet couple claims to be the fastest cars in the class. They spend less than 4 seconds to disperse to "hundreds", or to be precise, only 3,8 seconds. And this is exactly the case when the type of body does not affect the speed.
However, each of these impressive numbers would not be very convincing if it was only in the motor. "Eight" is assisted here by a nine-speed AMG SpeedShift gearbox. This is an "automatic", in which the torque converter is replaced by a package of electronically controlled wet clutches, so gear changes here are faster than the human eye blinks.
Plus, traction to all four wheels is distributed here by the 4MATIC + all-wheel drive transmission. Torque is transferred to the front wheels using a high-speed, electronically controlled clutch. It is this set that provides dynamics at the level of 3,8 seconds. For comparison, the Audi R8 supercar spends only 0,3 seconds less on this discipline.
Behind the wheel of the GLC 63 S, when starting in race mode on dry asphalt, it impresses into the chair so that it rests on your ears. And not only from acceleration, but also from the sound of the engine. V8 voices so loud and rolling that birds from all nearby trees scatter to the sides. However, how to load the membranes can only be done by opening the window. Otherwise, inside the GLC 63 S is typical Mercedes-like soothing silence. And if the engine is heard, then somewhere behind a dull uterine rumble.
In general, the GLC 63 S and GLC 63 S Coupe, despite their extremeness, endow the driver and riders with typical Mercedes comfort. If the mechatronics settings are switched to Comfort mode, then the steering wheel becomes soft and smeared, typical for Mercedes, in the near-zero zone, the suspensions begin to gently lay down and roundly work out irregularities, and the reaction to pressing the accelerator becomes imposing.
At the same time, the chassis has been pretty redesigned. There is a wider track, reinforced stabilizer struts, wheel bearings and even suspension arms. Therefore, if you transfer the settings to sport mode, all these carefully redesigned components and assemblies, coupled with differently calibrated air struts and shock absorbers, begin to work as they should. The GLC turns, if not into a professional track equipment, then into a good sports car for track day lovers.
| Body type | Universal |
| Dimensions (length / width / height), mm | 4745/1931/1584 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2873 |
| engine's type | Gasoline, V8 |
| Working volume, cubic meters cm | 3982 |
| Power, hp with. at rpm | 510 at 5500-5200 |
| Max. cool. moment, Nm at rpm | 700 at 1750-4500 |
| Transmission, drive | AKP 9-st, full |
| Maksim. speed, km / h | 250 (280 with AMG Driver's Package) |
| Acceleration to 100 km / h, from | 3,8 |
| Fuel consumption (city / highway / mixed), l | 14,1/8,7/10,7 |
| Cargo space, l | 491 – 1205 |
| Price from, USD | 95 200 |
