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Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Test Prototype Seen for the First Time

Boy, will you ever be sorry if you just ordered the new GLC 300 with a 4-cylinder engine. Mercedes surprised us today by beginning development of something that's twice as fast and infinitely cooler, the GLC 63 AMG.
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 12 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
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Our spies stationed in Germany have just sent us these photos of a test prototype. Looking at it dead-on, it's pretty obvious that the suspension is considerably lower, and the wheels have been pushed out about an inch on each side. We tried not to get excited, but this is something Mercedes has never built before, and it positively humiliates the competition.

The GLC-Class is based on the platform of the C-Class sedan. Thus, it's 63 AMG cousin will be underpinned by the monster of a twin-turbo V8 we know from the AMG GT. There will be two versions, the basic one with 476 PS and another with 510 PS wearing the letter S at the end of its name.

The only problem with these spy shots is that the exhaust system is all wrong. AMG models are supposed to have two separate little squares on each side of the exhaust. But it could just be an early testing prototype, something the miss-matched wheels hint at.

The photographers say it definitely sounded like a V8, which is what we needed to hear. However, Mercedes could also be working on a less hardcore GLC 43 model fitted with a twin turbo V6 engine rated at 367 PS (401 is also possible).

Either way, the Mercedes-AMG version of the GLC-Class is well worth waiting for. Not only will it feature the AWD system that you can't have on the C63 but it will also have more power than anything. In fact, there aren't even any other SUVs in this segment that still pack a V8 engine. Most manufacturers have chickened out of high-displacement vehicles, but Mercedes can build anything and ask however much they want for it, because they are the bosses.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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