Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S 2020 Review

The Bathurst 12 Hour is the perfect time for a drive into the world of Mercedes-AMG.

Belter Benzes are at the sharp end of the field at Mount Panorama for the international 12-hour race for GT3 hotrod racers and the roads are liberally sprinkled with AMG models being exercised by their owners.

It’s also become an annual event for Mercedes-Benz Australia, like Fashion Week, when it rolls its newest models into the spotlight.

This year the focus is on the upgraded Mercedes-AMG GLC performance SUV range, which joins the mainstream Mercedes-Benz GLC line-up in receiving a mid-life tickle late last year.

There is more to like and more to enjoy with a sharper focus on driving dynamics, a little more luxury and predictable improvements to the mechanical package ensure the cars stay on the pace.

Applying to the Mercedes-AMG 43 ‘coupe’ and  Mercedes-AMG 63 S wagon, there is nothing radical about the update to this awesome foursome, but there is more to like as the competition gets tougher.

“This is a normal mid-cycle for the cars. It’s mostly a technology upgrade,” Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman Ryan Lewis tells carsales.

“Technology is the biggest improvement for what the customers get. Especially with the new AMG Dynamics driving programs on the cars.”

There are four ways to sample AMG spice in the German brand’s medium SUV range, with a choice of 43 and 63 mechanical packages and either wagon or coupe body styles.

Pricing for the AMG models now starts at $109,900 for the 43 SUV, rising through $117,400 for the 43 Coupe and $161,000 for the 63 SUV, before topping at $168,100 for the 63 Coupe.

Our preview drive was limited, as only the 63 S wagon and 43 coupe had arrived in time for the launch over the 12 Hour weekend, and we’ve concentrated on the 63 flagship here.

Visually, the changes to the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 are subtle. It has an AMG grille with a vertical emphasis, black trim pieces including roof rails, 20-inch twin-spoke wheels and a glass panoramic roof on the SUV which becomes an opening sunroof on the Coupe.

Brilliant Burmester surround sound is now found inside, together with a head-up display with ‘virtual image’ projection, regulation leather seats with three-stage heating – definitely not needed on a 40-degree Bathurst weekend – and illuminated AMG lettering in the door sills.

The step-ups for the 63 start with a new front apron and more-prominent spoiler, flared wheel-arches and rear apron, with a diffuser that’s unlikely to make much difference to an SUV at Australian speeds, and 21-inch alloys.

The cabin is more like the latest AMG GT, complete with the wheel-mounted buttons to adjust the nine-stage traction control and two pre-sets for performance functions.

The wheel itself is the flat-bottom AMG sports rim with a combination of Nappa leather and microfibre wrapping. There is three-zone climate-control air-con with ionisation.

“The centre infotainment screen is wider and driver’s instrument cluster is fully digital now,” says Lewis.

It also gets the AMG Supersport display, the latest touch-pad for the infotainment, and the latest MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) with the ‘Hey Mercedes’ system of voice control.

“It’s our most up-to-date infotainment package, with upgraded hardware as well, including Apple Carplay and Android Auto. It’s what customers expect these days.”

As for the styling, Lewis has the answer for AMG-ites: “The easiest way to tell the difference is the grille. The 63 has the chrome vertical slats and the 43 has twin metal bars across the front. And the 63 is on standard 21s and the 43 is on standard 20s,” he says.

The AMG versions of the GLC all come with 4MATIC all-wheel drive, while the 43 has the tamer 3.0-litre V6 engine with 287kW of power and 520Nm of torque and a nine-speed automatic gearbox.

The AMG tweaking runs to unique all-wheel drive settings, as well as sports suspension, speed-sensitive sports steering and big brakes.

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 continues with its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, making a thumping 375kW and 700Nm, with fully-variable torque distribution for the driveline, a driver-selectable sports exhaust, electronic limited-slip rear differential, big brakes, sports suspension and dynamic engine mounts.

“It’s built around extended ESP functionality, to give the driver more control and more individualisation. The drive mode is linked to the ESP, which means you dial it up or down,” says Lewis.

“It can be mild or you can have the car dialled right up to Sport-Plus or Race and still have the safety net. It depends on the drive, the environment and the conditions.

“We have a slippery mode now. That’s new. It’s about giving the driver the ultimate control, and support – if they want it.

“You don’t want these systems to patronise the driver. If they are confident, they can set the car to enjoy it, and if not they can still explore the capabilities.”

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 is a creamy smooth car in almost every way.

The turbo V6, which works so well in other AMG models but particularly the C-Class coupe, is solid without dominating the scene. And the all-wheel drive system is all-but invisible, except when I make a split-surface sprint start – two wheels on the bitumen, two on loose gravel – and I can feel some tugging through the wheels as the mechanics and electrics do their job.

The cabin is much as I remember from the basic GLC, nothing standing out apart from the wide-view infotainment screen. It’s enough to convince people of the newness in the 43.

The view out of the back, since this is the Coupe, is pinched and difficult at times but the camera displays are great for filling the gaps.

My only serious niggle is the ride, which is brittle at low speeds and produces too much wobble on cross-country roads with dips and potholes. It will be even worse, I think, in inner-city Sydney – although not as bad as in the bigger and heavier GLE AMGs.

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 actually trumps the 43 for ride comfort, which is something I didn’t expect. Even though it’s on chunkier 21-inch rims there is more compliance in the tyre and that means less bump-thump when the roads get rough.

The SUV’s wagon body, which improves practicality and visibility, might also make a small contribution to the ride over the Coupe.

Inside, the extra AMG buttons on the steering wheel prove that this is the hotrod of the GLC line-up. It gets better when I switch to the track-focussed dash display, and look around at the beautifully-finished leather trim.

As always, the car cracks along – both in performance and with the predictable exhaust explosions when I turn everything up to Sport+ in the driving models. With 700Nm there is no real need to push to the redline, and tickling the shift paddles allows you to keep the car flowing along with a solid shove up the toughest hills and out of tight corners.

There is little chance to really explore the various driving modes, in either car, since the roads around Bathurst are no place to go playing at the limits. Perhaps another day, and even on a track, to really get an accurate review.

So the bottom line of this mid-life update is small but worthwhile improvements to the performance heroes of the Mercedes-Benz GLC range, which was already Australia’s second most popular luxury model for good reason.

How much does the Mercedes-AMG 63 S cost?
Price: $161,000 plus ORCs
Engines: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Outputs: 375kW/700Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed auto, all-wheel drive
Fuel: 12.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 277g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2015)

How much does the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 cost?
Price: $117,400 plus ORCs
Engines: 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6
Outputs: 287kW/520Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed auto, all-wheel drive
Fuel: 10.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 235g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2015)