2023 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe What We Know So Far

Slowly but surely, Mercedes-AMG is phasing out its classic V8 engine. After the C63 sedan, the next victim is the AMG GLC 63 Coupe, a high-performance SUV that always sounded as venomous as it looked. The emotional character of the new one may be a question mark, but there will be no qualms about its tire-shredding capabilities. If it matches the C63’s outputs, the new GLC 63 Coupe will produce a combined 671 horsepower from its 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and electric motor, crushing the 503 hp of the old V8 in the 63 S. The new Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe SUV hasn’t been fully revealed yet, but all the usual AMG trimmings will be present inside and out. But will the latest styling and tech be able to make up for the departure of the V8 and in the face of rivals that haven’t downsized to the same extent? That’s a question we’ll try to answer in the months ahead.
 

When Is The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe Coming Out?
An exact release date for the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe remains unknown, but it’s likely to be coming out later in 2023 as a 2024 model in the USA.
 
What’s The Price Of The 2024 GLC 63 Coupe?
As with most things new in the automotive world, we can expect the cost of the price of the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe to rise. Exactly what that increase will be isn’t known, but the previous GLC 63 S Coupe started at just over $85,000 when it was still on sale. Considering how much more powerful the plug-in hybrid GLC 63 will be, we expect an MSRP of over $90,000.
 
As before, this car’s chief rival will be the BMW X4 M. The X4 has six-cylinder power but the specs suggest that the Mercedes will be quicker.
 
New Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe Exterior And Colors
A few spy shots of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe’s exterior design have surfaced over the last couple of months, but a full reveal is still elusive. Based on what we’ve seen so far, the overall shape isn’t a drastic departure from the current model. It’s still a brawny-looking SUV with AMG-specific details like the Panamericana grille (don’t be fooled by the unfinished grille with multiple squares used for the test mules) and the four square exhaust pipes at the back. The sloping roofline is familiar from other SUV-coupes of its kind, and that leads to a sporty but not too outlandish rear spoiler.
 
The headlights and taillights will be different, but they’re still partially covered in a camo wrap so their details remain a secret. Test mules were seen with black, highly intricate wheel designs that look like an absolute chore to keep clean, but there should be a variety of wheel options available. We also spotted Michelin low-profile rubber, and that should help the sporty crossover accelerate more quickly and handle sharply.
 
At this stage, the exterior colors for the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe remain a closely guarded secret, but the previous V8 model came in shades like Obsidian Black, Polar White, Cirrus Silver, and Brilliant Blue. We expect some version of the AMG Night and Aerodynamics packages to be available, further customizing the appearance.
 

Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe Dimensions
Automakers like to keep as many details about new models a secret for as long as they can, and that applies to the dimensions of the new Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe as well. We don’t expect an enormous growth spurt, though, so the outgoing model’s length/width/height of 186.9/82.5/62.4 inches, respectively, provide a fair idea of the new model’s size. For reference, the older GLC 63 Coupe had a 113.1-inch wheelbase.
 
There is one major downside to the new PHEV powertrain, though, and that relates to curb weight. We know that the new C63 sedan weighs over 700 pounds more than the previous V8 model, and assuming the same increase in weight for the GLC 63 Coupe, the new one could come in at between 5,200 and 5,300 lbs. That mass is bound to make its presence felt in the corners, but perhaps the Mercedes-AMG engineers have been able to pull off a few tricks in the chassis department to make this feel like a lighter vehicle than it actually is.
 
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe Engine And Performance
The previous V8-engined C63 and GLC 63 shared the same outputs, so it’s rational to assume that the same will be true for the new-generation hybrid models. This means that the engine in the new Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe should generate 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque. Those are startling numbers from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, but of course, they’re boosted by the addition of an electric motor.
 
In the C63, the powerful four-pot makes 469 hp and 402 lb-ft on its own, with the electric motor situated at the rear of the sedan. The electric motor has peak outputs of 201 hp/236 lb-ft and utilizes a two-speed transmission, while the four-pot uses a nine-speed auto. The system directs its considerable power to all four corners via the AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, and this is pretty much the same setup that we expect in the new GLC 63 Coupe. The C63 has a Drift Mode which would be quite something to experience in the heavier GLC 63.
 
Being a heavier SUV, the GLC 63 Coupe is unlikely to match the C63’s staggering 3.3-second 0-60 time, but it should at least match the 3.6-second blast of the older GLC 63 S with its V8. Mid-range acceleration could also be better, but it’s what the experience feels like that will dictate whether AMG fans embrace this new GLC 63 or not. In the C63, the top speed on electric power alone is 81 mph or up to 174 mph optionally; the all-electric top speed of the crossover might be lower, but with the turbo-four engaged, the GLC 63 should be capable of the same 174-mph top speed.
 
Like the C63 sedan, the GLC 63 Coupe should boast add-ons like rear-wheel steering, a rear-axle limited-slip differential, various drive modes, and even an Electric mode for covering short distances without the aid of the engine. We’re less convinced by the augmented acoustics with external speakers, something that the V8 model certainly didn’t need.
 

Gas Mileage
With a plug-in hybrid system, half the displacement of the V8, and half the number of cylinders, it’s natural to assume that the new AMG GLC 63 Coupe will be more efficient than before. However, we don’t have any official gas mileage estimates. The 6.1 kWh lithium-ion battery used in the C63 could be used in GLC 63, but this remains to be seen. Either way, we know that performance and not range was the goal, so this PHEV may not be much more economical than the V8 despite having a short all-electric range of under ten miles.
 
For reference, the previous GLC 63 Coupe with its V8 returned 15/22/17 mpg city/highway/combined.
 
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe Interior And Cargo
As with the exterior, we have to rely on spy shots to get an idea of what the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe’s interior will be like. Fortunately, we have been privy to some revealing shots that have shown off the new infotainment interface, plenty of carbon fiber trim, a grippy AMG steering wheel with Alcantara trim, and AMG-specific seats.
 
Those AMG seats in the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe are a highlight. They come with integrated headrests, thick side bolsters that should hold you in place at high cornering speeds, and bright yellow stitching. We have no doubt that other seating options will be available, though.
 
As with the standard GLC that was revealed last year, we can see the new portrait-style infotainment touchscreen that is gently tilted in the direction of the driver. This should measure 11.9 inches, and it’s a layout that has been seen before in the latest S-Class. Running Merc’s latest MBUX software, owners will have access to over-the-air updates, full smartphone integration, and voice controls. For the AMG model, we expect some version of Merc’s Burmester sound system to be standard.
 
Complementing the central display is a digital gauge cluster that measures 12.3 inches in the normal GLC; it looks like this display is the same size in the GLC 63 Coupe. As with the new C63, we expect to see AMG-specific displays that provide the driver with information pertaining to the advanced PHEV drivetrain. Another change over the normal GLC will be the AMG rotary controller on the steering wheel, allowing for quick and convenient changes to the driving settings.
 
Despite its sloping roofline, the previous GLC 63 Coupe still had a reasonably spacious interior, with acceptable second-row seating. At 17.7 cubic feet, the cargo space in that Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe was fair but no match for many smaller SUVs. The new one should see a small improvement in both these areas, although the rear electric motor may impinge on space at the back.