2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43

Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 and GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE: Evolution or Revolution?

It's time to add another pair of entries to the records of high-performance midsize SUVs: the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 and the AMG GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE. Not just satisfied with redefining the game, these two powerhouses are setting their sights on new horizons. Yes, you heard it right, these performance SUVs not only promise more power and enhanced equipment but also introduce AMG's hybrid tech to the SUV world.

A Leap into Performance Hybrids

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 and the AMG GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE are more than just meticulously crafted pieces of German engineering. These beasts house a novel AMG hand-built M139l 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine powered by an electric exhaust gas turbocharger. For those with an eye for the innovative, the GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE takes things a step further, introducing Mercedes-AMG's performance hybrid technology. This model is the first-ever performance hybrid SUV for the German marque, making it a potential game-changer in its segment.

Savouring the Power

The AMG GLC 43 is not here to play. Its engine churns out an impressive 416 horsepower, and with a low-end boost of an extra 13 hp from the belt-driven starter-generator, it pushes the boundaries of conventional performance expectations. Even with these intimidating figures, the new Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 offers dynamic driving courtesy of features like rear-axle steering, AMG Performance 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive, and AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with Adaptive Damping System.

2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43

However, the star of this two-car show is the hybrid GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE. This SUV boasts a hybrid powertrain, pairing the 2.0-liter engine with an Electric Drive Unit (EDU) on the rear axle, providing a stunning 671 horsepower and 752 lb-ft combined system torque. With the instant response from the electric drive, fast torque build-up, and quick power delivery, it seems that the GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE is, indeed, the incarnation of AMG's 'Driving Performance'.

Design – The AMG Tradition Continues

Mercedes-AMG hasn't forgotten its roots when designing the GLC 43 and GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE. AMG-specific details grace both the exterior and interior, including the radiator grille, air intakes, and chrome trim element. Inside, the sporty aura is unmistakable with AMG seats, sports pedals, and an AMG Performance steering wheel. Rest assured, these SUVs carry the AMG name with pride.

Modern Technology for Modern Cars

When it comes to features, the new GLC SUVs come loaded. The AMG TRACK PACE data logger, an option for those with a penchant for track days, records more than 80 vehicle-specific data points. The SUVs also include the MBUX infotainment system with AMG-specific displays, offering an immersive and interactive experience for both the driver and the passengers.

The 'Turbocharged' Future

At the heart of these performance-oriented SUVs is the unique M139l 2.0-liter engine equipped with an electric exhaust gas turbocharger – a direct derivative from the Formula 1 world. This cutting-edge technology ensures a spontaneous response across the rpm range, adding another layer of dynamism to the driving experience.

A Balance of Power and Efficiency

While the GLC 43 and the GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE are powerhouses, they also embrace efficiency. The GLC 43's belt-driven starter generator acts as a mild hybrid, providing an additional boost while offering fuel-saving functions. The GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE takes things further by integrating an electric motor with the combustion engine, combining high performance with fuel efficiency.

Rooted in Racing: The AMG High-Performance Battery

Mercedes-AMG introduces us to their latest stroke of engineering ingenuity: the AMG high-performance battery. With design elements drawn from the Petronas F1 Team's hybrid race cars, this lithium-ion energy storage system is a testament to the brand's commitment to progress and racing legacy. The battery brings together rapid energy delivery, high power density, and a surprisingly lightweight structure, promising not just better vehicle performance but a driving experience like no other.

This state-of-the-art battery offers 107 hp of continuous output and can surge to an impressive peak of 201 hp for brief 10-second intervals. Charging occurs through recuperation or a 3.7 kW onboard AC charger, making it compatible with a variety of charging outlets. But here's the catch: Mercedes-AMG emphasizes that the battery is designed for speed and power delivery rather than endurance, suggesting a balancing act between range and performance.

Cool Under Pressure: Direct Cooling of Battery Cells

At the heart of the AMG battery's high performance is its novel direct cooling system. This isn't your run-of-the-mill battery cooling setup. It employs an advanced coolant that individually cools all 560 cells. This helps maintain an optimal operating temperature of around 113 degrees Fahrenheit regardless of the charging or discharging frequency. When the pace increases and temperatures rise, built-in safeguards pull maximum power from the battery to cool it down. A clever way of managing a tricky battery characteristic, one must admit.

Tuned for Traction: Performance Hybrid Drive and ESP

Amplifying the GLC models' prowess on the road, Mercedes-AMG has integrated a Performance Hybrid Drive into the vehicles. In a nod to their F1 heritage, this setup ensures an adrenaline-inducing power burst is always on hand during hard acceleration. An intelligent control system, in combination with the ESP, can control traction by reducing the electric motor's drive torque, enhancing vehicle dynamics without throttling the combustion engine. More power for charging, more control for driving – a delicate dance of performance and efficiency.

Gearing Up for Action: The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G Transmission

For the GLC 43 and the GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE, power is transmitted via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission, featuring a wet start-off clutch that replaces the traditional torque converter. This change leads to weight reduction and enhances the response to accelerator pedal inputs, providing a more engaging driving experience. The inclusion of RACE START function means optimal acceleration right from the word go.

Adaptive All-Wheel Drives

On the GLC 43, power is split between the front and rear axles at a 31 to 69 percent ratio thanks to the AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive. This rear-biased configuration heightens dynamic handling and traction. The GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE takes it a notch higher with the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel drive that allows for a continuous and as-required distribution of engine torque between the axles.

Handling the Ride: AMG RIDE CONTROL and Active Roll Stabilization

Equipped with AMG RIDE CONTROL steel spring suspension with Adaptive Damping System, both GLC models balance the fine line between sporty dynamics and long-drive comfort. This system constantly adjusts the damping at each wheel based on driving style, suspension level, and road surface. But the GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE takes it a step further with the AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL active roll stabilization. This compensates for body movements electromechanically, adjusting the body movements to the driving conditions, and gives drivers an even more immersive AMG driving experience.

Steering and Braking: Key to Controlled Performance

Equipped with three-stage AMG speed-sensitive steering, both GLC models benefit from a variable steering geometry ratio. The result is easy maneuvering at lower speeds and optimum control at higher speeds. The addition of active rear-axle steering enhances maneuverability and driving stability.

But what's performance without assured stopping power? Here, AMG sports brake system in the GLC 43 and the high-performance composite brake system in the GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE stand tall, offering dependable stopping power, fade-resistance, and a swift response.

Distinct Personalization with the AMG Packages

For the aesthetically inclined, the AMG Night Package and AMG Night Package Plus bring high-gloss black exterior detailing and dark chrome accents. The AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package and AMG Performance Studio Package offer elements of visible carbon fiber and an even sportier look for the GLC 43 respectively. This demonstrates Mercedes-AMG's commitment to personalizing the driving experience down to the last detail.

The Verdict: Crossing the Frontier of Performance and Efficiency

In this iteration of the AMG line, Mercedes seeks to marry the demands of raw performance with the realities of efficiency and sustainability, and the GLC 43 and GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE are intriguing embodiments of this venture. With their intoxicating blend of power, precision, and AMG DNA, both SUVs reinforce the brand's standing as an elite automaker. But it is the GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE that becomes the focal point with its hybrid debut, an attempt to square the circle of performance and practicality. Will this balance act pay off? These SUVs promise more than a hint of the revolution, but only the discerning driver, the open road, and the ticking clock hold the answer. Until then, the stage is set, and the audience eagerly awaits.

-Ed