Mercedes-Benz will be launching the recently revealed AMG GLC 53 Coupe in India next year, our sources have indicated. It will be the first time the second-gen GLC will be offered a six-cylinder engine, in this case the M256 Evo - a mild-hybrid turbo-petrol straight six. This is also the first AMG SUV to get a drift mode, thanks to the incorporation of AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel drive. However, it is expected to be launched only in the second half of next year.
- AMG GLC 53 was unveiled in both SUV and Coupe guises this February
- It is powered by a 449hp, inline-six mild-hybrid turbo-petrol engine
- Gets rear-axle limited-slip differential with Drift Mode, first for an AMG SUV
Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 Coupe: all you need to know
The new AMG GLC 53 was just unveiled in February this year in both SUV and Coupe guises, but we understand it’s the coupe that’s headed to India.
Under the hood, the AMG GLC 53 gets a 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that puts out 449hp and 600Nm (640Nm with overboost for 10 seconds at 5,200 rpm). It is mated with a 48V mild-hybrid system which produces an additional 23hp and 205Nm. The engine is coupled to a 9-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all wheels (AWD). Mercedes claims a 0-100kph sprint in 4.2 seconds, which is 0.6 second quicker than the 421hp, AMG GLC 43 Coupe that’s already available in India.
This engine is a heavily updated version of the 3.0-litre inline-six mill that does duty in the GLE 53 Coupe and also the E 450 4Matic. It gets new cylinder heads, improved intake and exhaust ports, as well as a new intake camshaft. There are also a new, larger-volume intake system and an intercooler.
In a first for any AMG SUV, the GLC 53 also features a powered rear-axle limited-slip differential with Drift Mode, which is offered with the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package. It also gets a new exhaust system with “special resonators” that deliver a deeper note, rear axle steering, adaptive dampers and five driving modes: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual.
Elsewhere, it gets the typical AMG treatment with aero updates, carbon fibre trims inside and out, and 21-inch forged alloy wheels as standard.
Currently, the GLC’s only sporty variant available in India is the AMG 43 Coupe that’s priced from Rs 99.85 lakh (ex-showroom), and is available with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Therefore, the upcoming 53 variant will bring about a sizeable step-up in performance and character with a six-cylinder engine, as well as price.
With inputs from Hormazd Sorabjee