Second-Gen Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe And GLC63 Coupe Duo Unveiled

L-R: New Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe and GLC63 S E Performance Coupe duo bows with similar electrified hearts as seen in their standard SUV-bodied twins.

Mercedes-AMG has given the second generation (C254) Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe crossover SUV model its usual high performance makeover. Similar to what it did with the standard SUV-bodied second-gen (X254) GLC model, the effort has birthed the new GLC43 Coupe and GLC63 S E Performance Coupe duo.

As expected, House Affalterbach’s signature hand-built V8 engine continues to be absent in this sloped-roof Coupe format of the second-gen GLC crossover SUV – a trend that likely began with the fifth-gen (W206)-based C63 S E Performance saloon.

Apart from the sloped-roof design and subsequently different rear fascia, the exterior of GLC63 S E Performance appears similar to the standard-bodied GLC63 S E Performance.

Instead, the GLC63 S E Performance again adopts a familiar plug-in hybrid (PHEV) setup featuring AMG’s hand-built 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo mill rated at 469 HP that’s augmented by a single electric motor that adds a further 201 HP.

Altogether, combined outputs read at 671 HP and 1,023 NM, and drive goes to all four wheels via a trick 4Matic+ fully variable all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup and 9-speed auto box. Altogether, it sees 0-100 KM/H sprints despatched in 3.5 seconds whilst enroute towards a claimed 275 KM/H V-max.

Despite losing a pair of cylinders, this new C254-based GLC43 Coupe still matches its V6-powered predecessor in terms of 0-100 KM/H sprint time - 4.8 seconds. 

Of course, the downsizing is less apparent in the GLC43 Coupe slotted below whereby its predecessor’s V6 has been replaced with a mild hybrid (MHEV) iteration of the AMG 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo mill. Offering 416 HP and 500 NM, the MHEV’s belt-driven starter generator can also supply a brief 13 HP boost at low speeds.

Also primed with a trick driveline featuring both AWD and a slick 9-speed auto box, the GLC43 Coupe does 0-100 KM/H in just 4.8 seconds whilst enroute towards its electronically-capped 250 KM/H V-max. Notably, said century sprint time sees this GLC43 Coupe match its V6-powered predecessor here.

No V6 or V8 mills here, they've instead been replaced by electrified (MHEV and PHEV) 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo mills instead in both the GLC43 Coupe (left) and GLC63 S E Performance Coupe (right).

Electrified MHEV and PHEV 4-cyl powertrains aside, what’s also unchanged from the standard SUV-bodied Mercedes-AMG GLC in these sloped-roof twins to which are several key chassis equipment, namely rear-axle steering, AMG Ride Control suspension, as well as the AMG performance brakes hardware.

On board, the cabins of both models also mirror their standard SUV-bodied twins again here, albeit with lesser headroom and boot space resulting from the sloped-roof design. Apart from which, little else differs the new GLC43 Coupe and GLC63 S E Performance Coupe models from their respective SUV-bodied twins.

Apart from reduced headroom and cargo space, both models see similar cabins as their regular SUV-bodied twins.

Despite revealing both models now, Mercedes-Benz remains tight-lipped about price and sale timeline at the time of writing. Additionally, it’s unclear whether both models will be marketed as 2024 or 2025 model year offerings just yet, likely suggesting at least either one will hit markets later than the other.

Are you digging both the new Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe and its flagship GLC63 S E Performance over their regular SUV-bodied twins? Hit the comments below – as well as our social pages – with your thoughts…