• Quicker than its predecessors
• GLC 43 now a mild-hybrid
• GLC 63 is a PHEV 

Hot on the heels, but perhaps not as audible, of the second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC are the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 and GLC 63 versions of the SUV that now run on a hybrid setup with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor.

Yes, you can bid Verabschiedung to the V6 and V8 that powered the previous iterations of it.

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic drops the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 in favour of the aforementioned 2.0-litre M139l engine that makes 421 PS and 500 Nm of torque. It’s supplemented by a 48 V mild hybrid system with a belt-driven starter-generator (BSG) that delivers a 14 PS and 150 Nm boost.

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You’ll find an identical setup in the C 43 4Matic as well and just like it, the GLC 43 also has a 4 cm electric motor integrated onto the turbocharger shaft between the exhaust and compressor side.

The main purpose of the tiny electric motor, powered by the 48V architecture, is to spin the shaft up to speed quicker at lower revs to the point that the exhaust gas flow is sufficient to take over. Of course, the primary purpose of this is to improve engine response and drivability in general.

Also Read: Goodbye V8, 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 to receive 4-cylinder PHEV - 670 PS/750 Nm

Stepping up to the sibling with the bigger growl, the GLC 63S E Performance takes things up a notch with a whopping 680 PS and 1,020 Nm of torque courtesy of a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Also Read: No more V6, 2023 (W206) Mercedes-AMG C43 gets A45 engine with 408 PS/500 Nm

Plucked from the C 63S E Performance, the same M139l engine has a larger turbocharger with an integrated electric motor strapped onto it. The electric motor in the turbo however is powered by a 400V system.

On its own, the 2.0-litre engine makes 476 PS and 545 Nm of torque. Mercedes-Benz says that the total system output is aided by an electric drive unit (EDU), dubbed a P3 hybrid layout.

So, what is an EDU? It’s an electric motor at the rear axle that generates 204 PS and 320 Nm of torque. A 2-speed gearbox helps make better use of the power with the second gear kicking in around the 140 kph mark. Keeping all that power in check is an electronically controlled rear axle differential lock.

Also Read: Think twin-clutch 'boxes are amazing? New Mercedes-AMG C63 will have twin gearboxes

For the GLC 63, a high-performance battery with a capacity of 6.1 kWh forms part of the PHEV system and allows a pure-electric range of up to 12 km. The battery is directly cooled and can be recharged via braking recuperation or the 3.7 kW onboard charger.

There’s only one transmission available, the 9-speed AMG Speedshift MCT 9G. Essentially an automatic to handle the immense torque, the transmission does have a wet multi-disc start-off clutch.

The AMG Performance 4Matic system in the GLC 43 can send up to 39 percent of torque to the front while the more powerful GLC 63S gets a fully variable AMG Performance 4Matic+ setup.

Any AMG model is a seriously quick machine and this duo doesn’t disappoint. The GLC 43 does the century sprint in 4.8 seconds and tops out at 250 kph. Over to the GLC 63 and the sprint is dispatched in just 3.5 seconds while V-max is 275 kph. Both sprint times are quicker than their predecessor.

Both get the AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive damping but the GLC 63S benefits from the addition of active roll stabilisation as well.

Rear-axle steering is increasingly common among Mercedes models now and this duo aren’t left out, with up to 7 degrees of rear wheel movement.

AMG-tuned bits include the 3-stage AMG speed-sensitive steering, AMG sports brake system and AMG exhaust system. The driving modes includes an AMG Dynamics level for finer intervention of the stability control.

Visually, the AMG duo here wear a Panamericana front grille, aggressive bumpers with larger air intakes and a rear diffuser. An easy way to tell them apart would be via the exhaust pipe trims, round for the GLC 43 and trapezoidal for the GLC 63S.

Of course, the interior gets AMG bits and pieces, including the AMG Performance steering wheel and sports seats. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system sees the addition of the AMG Track Pace for data logging.

Like all AMG models, the GLC 63S can be had in a limited Edition 1 guise following its launch that comprises 21-inch forged AMG wheels, yellow brake calipers, standard AMG Aerodynamics Package, AMG Exterior Night Package I and II as well as branded seats.