2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Has an Eye-Watering Price Over the Pond, Feels Excessive

Gearheads or fans of the three-pointed star brand will remember that "63" used to refer to a 6.3-liter eight-cylinder powerplant hiding under the hood of iconic AMG models. When those cars roamed around with low numbers on their odometers, a famous image making rounds on social media showed the iconic badge with a quote that read, "Only milk and juice come in two liters." Owners liked to brag about their engine's displacement and were proud of their choice.

But life can sometimes be so ironic that what was once a way to belittle fellow car owners is now the powerplant of choice of your beloved car brand. What goes around, sadly, comes around. Even more so when "trickled-down F1 tech" is touted as the best drivetrain solution for certain vehicles.

We had a short window where a report brought affluent gearheads renewed hope that Mercedes-Benz would do the right thing and double the number of cylinders for its newer AMG units like the C-Class. But that quickly faded into oblivion as company officials confirmed they had no intention of doing so.

Moreover, the upcoming high-performance E-Class is rumored to boast a six-cylinder. The only way to get your hands on that handcrafted V8 is to buy an S 63 E. But that's a heavy, large sedan, not a perky compact executive car or an iconic four-door unit like the BMW M5 that still proudly displays a V8 when opening the hood.

Is it an enticing update or just a fleet emission reduction strategy?

But if cars aren't your thing, then a high-performance crossover SUV might be of interest. Mercedes-Benz's high-performance division has you covered with the GLC 63 S E Performance. But you'll have to get ready for a hefty price because the Affalterbach-based brand wants over €121,000 for its new hybridized crossover SUV. The price for the German market starts at €121,856 ($131,609), to be precise.

That figure includes the value-added tax (similar to a US sales tax but higher in percentage). It is also €16,500 more than a German would pay for a BMW X3 M Competition boasting the B58 in-line six-cylinder powerplant.

The Bavarian crossover is lighter than the GLC 63 S E because it's not a plug-in hybrid. The former has a curb weight of 2,085 kg (4,597 lb), while the latter comes in at 2,310 kg (5,093 lb) per data available for the European market.

But there's one major difference between the two – the Merc puts out 671 hp (680 ps) and 1,020 Nm (752 lb-ft) of torque, while the Bimmer can only make use of 503 hp (510 ps) and 649 Nm (479 lb-ft) of force that causes an object to rotate on an axis. Will the extra 168 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque be enough to offset the feeling of 225 kg (496 lb) of added weight and justify the increased price? That's for you to decide!

What's in it for the buyer

The all-wheel-drive GLC 63 S E can achieve such impressive power output for a plug-in hybrid and a zero to 62 mph time of 3.5 seconds because it comes with an "AMG-exclusive in-house developed" drivetrain that includes a two-liter four-cylinder engine at the front paired with a nine-speed transmission and a 201-hp electric motor at the rear. That figure, though, is only available for ten seconds. The rest of the time, the motor's output is limited to 107 hp.

There's also a direct-cooled high-voltage (400V) 6.1-kWh battery tucked in the vehicle that enables pure EV driving for an undisclosed number of miles and a two-speed gearbox that helps the motor administer its power as the driver wishes. The C 63 S E can go eight miles on a full battery, so we expect its sibling with an improved ride height to get about five miles of pure EV range.

A larger turbocharger helps the engine churn out 469 hp at 6,725 rpm, with the maximum torque figure becoming available at 5,250 rpm.

Mercedes-AMG believes Europeans will want an even pricier GLC 63 S E, and it created the Edition 1 pack that costs €18,445. It is available for just one year, until September 2024. To get all the goodies (like a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, the Burmester sound system, and the lighting system with a projection function), buyers must spend an extra €4,295.

There's also a "Real Performance Sound" option that should make up for the missing four cylinders by pumping artificial sounds through the speaker. It costs €654.

The Germans also enjoy some peculiar options, like relocating the accelerator pedal to the left side, increasing the size of the pedals, and positioning the seats at custom measurements. These could be great for drivers with certain disabilities.

Decisions, decisions

We built a 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance with the Edition 1 pack and ticked the box for other cool options. Our spec resulted in a price of €145,251 ($156,907).

For reference, a Tesla Model Y Performance made at Giga Berlin costs €60,990. It may have 456 hp and 497 lb-ft of torque, but it can reach 60 mph from a standstill in 3.5 seconds.

But we can look further at a competitor from another bracket: the three-row and tri-motor Model X Plaid. It's sold as a six-seater in Germany and costs €114,990. It can also sprint to 62 mph in 2.6 seconds.

Given all this, we can't say that it makes a lot of sense to buy the pricey plug-in hybrid when great gas-powered or all-electric vehicles rival AMG's crossover SUV on the market.

Similarly, it doesn't look like it could work out as a sweet deal for die-hard fans of the brand. Why would they get a hybridized four-banger now? There are around 12 years left until the European Union bans the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines. Why not have some good old fun before filling up with gas becomes an archaic habit?

Or, they could go right ahead and move to a completely electric vehicle that's as capable, as fun, and maybe even better than the crossover with the Affalterbach logo on its hood.

Finally, the all-new GLC 63 S E Performance is expected to arrive in North America in late 2024 as a 2025 model-year unit.