2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance SUV Review: A V8 icon slashes the cylinder count and goes plug-in hybrid. Scheiße, what is the world coming to!

December 21, 2024December 20, 2024 Bruce Newton 137 Views 0 Comments GLC 63 PHEV, Mercedes-AMG

If there is a brand associated with big, noisy and stinky V8s then it’s Mercedes-AMG.

But the automotive world waits for no manufacturer, not even one for whom performance is the be-all and end-all.

Hence Benz’s tuning arm is in the process of replacing traditional V8s with plug-in hybrids.

The latest convert is the mighty second-generation Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance.

2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance SUV price and equipment

It’s fair to suggest Mercedes-AMG was an originator of very high performance SUVs a couple of decades ago.

Over the years they have evolved from the very definition of lead-tipped arrows to something more, er, holistic.

But this time it’s revolution not evolution. Out goes the old 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 and in comes a four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine combined with two e-motors, a nine-speed wet multi-plate clutch auto and all-wheel drive.

The combined 500kW/1020Nm eviscerates the old powertrain, although there is some torque multiplication in effect here because of the two-speed rear axle.

The new GLC 63 delivers a 3.5 sec 0-100km/h time – shaving half a second off the old time – and a 25km/h higher top speed at 275km/h.

But the big benefit – at the specs sheet at least – is the huge reduction in claimed average fuel consumption from 12.2L/100km to 7.3L/100km.

Obviously, that also has a big emissions benefit, which is the point of the whole exercise.

Not that AMG hypes that too much, instead focussing on the high performance benefits of its PHEV.

Certainly, the 14km claimed EV-only range and the size of the 6.1kWh battery pack sitting with an e-motor on the rear axle are indicative of that. The GLC 63 only recharges AC and then only at a maximum 3.7kW.

For all this tech, a generously equipped (Nappa leather sports seats, multiple large digital screens, Burmester surround sound etcetera) five-seat interior and a rather macho exterior presentation including AMG’s slatted grille, air-sucking lower intakes, black pack and 21-inch alloys, you’ll pay $191,814 plus on-road costs.

2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance SUV and Coupe.

If you would prefer to pay more for less functionality and a questionable styling ‘improvement’, you can spend $198,415 for the Coupe – five-door hatchback actually.

Commendably, given Benz’s recent habit of exorbitant price rises, in both cases that’s less than $10,000 more than the old V8 model. Percentage wise, a mere snip.

The GLC 63 comes protected by a five-year/unlimited km warranty and its high voltage battery for six-years/100,000km. Service intervals are 20,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first. Benz offers service plans over three, four and five years. Like the car itself, they’re not cheap.

2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance SUV: What we think

The performance part of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance SUV name is definitely not misappropriated.

This thing has performance to burn.

From tip-in throttle aided by the e-motors and electric turbocharging to top-end power (well as close to the top-end as I was willing to go) this powertrain supplies a never-ending river of muscle. There aren’t highs and lows, just constant.

From the lights, overtaking, conquering a mountain, or teaching some WRX driver a lesson. It will do all you want.

In sportier modes it can be a bit frantic with all those gears chomping away, but it can also be relaxed too for round town commuting. Not too relaxed though, there’s always some ride inputs to be felt, tyre rumble to be heard and a hard press on the brake pedal to get the composite discs interested.

Along with overwhelming powertrain response comes some palpable character traits.

It sounds weird. Having driven V8 AMGs for decades, this thing is alien. Under acceleration I kept looking out the side window for an AMG 45 or cammy Ford Escort. It’s like Arnold Schwarzenegger on helium: the combination is incongruous.

The bulk of this car is impossible to hide. The GLC 63 weighs in at 2.3 tonnes. That’s a lot of heft to keep under control at high speeds, especially if you throw some turns into the mix.

To help this missile stay guided it is tethered by electrically-assisted AWD that can split torque 50/50 or up to 100 per cent rear, an electronically controlled limited slip diff, adaptive suspension, electro-mechanical body control, three-stage speed-sensitive steering, rear wheel steering and eight – yes eight – drive modes with the ability to set individual sub-modes in a fiendishly complex matrix.

Sadly, one difference compared to the C 63 that has the same powertrain is the all-wheel drive system can’t be locked in rear-wheel drive for drifting and burnout purposes. You still do get Master mode, which delivers some slip angle.

Is this GLC 63 fun? Well it’s impressive, if a little impersonal and distant. It has no right to steer so nimbly! The accident could be huge if the software decided to have a meltdown!

And what of the powertrain’s fuel economy? Does it deliver what it claims? Well, it is better than the old V8, but like a lot of PHEVs, the 63’s claims prove to be optimistic.

We saw high teens when pressing on in sport+ on winding mountain roads, but sub-10L/100km when throttle use was lighter and the going was easier.

And for all the derision about the tiny battery, it certainly is capable. Based on F1 tech, it is power-focussed and able to cycle quickly and expel up to 150kW in 10 second bursts. It always had at least 80kW on-hand.

EV-only running proved a bit of a joke though. We never managed more than a kilometre or two.

And yeah you’re right, we haven’t really discussed the interior. Oh well.

2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance SUV: Verdict

Gosh what a technical achievement this vehicle is. A 2.3 tonne monster powered by a 2.0-litre engine should not be capable of doing some of the stuff the GLC 63 does.

It’s fast, pretty fluent and about as far from the traditional PHEV evoked by something like the BYD Sealion 6 as could be possible.

It’s also as far from being sane, sensible and affordable transport as you can get.

So very different and yet so very Mercedes-AMG.

SCORE: 3.5/5

2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance SUV specifications

Price: $191,814 (plus on-road costs)
Basics: PHEV, 5 seats, 5 doors, medium SUV, AWD
Range: 14km (EV only)
Battery capacity: 6.1kWh (4.8kWh usable)
Battery warranty: Six years/100,000km
Energy consumption: 9.8kWh/100km (ADR)/7.3L/100km (ADR combined)
Powertrain: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Motors: 1 front and 1 rear
Combined outputs: 500kW/1020Nm
AC charging: 3.7kW
DC charging: N/A
0-100km/h: 3.5 seconds