New GLC63 sets record straight

Affalterbach machine pips rival from Munich to bragging rights.

- Jaco van der Merwe

It was a sense of déjà vu when we recently took delivery of a Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S E Performance.

The SUV followed in the footsteps of the C63 S E Performance that ushered in the controversial new generation of Affalterbach's performance powertrains.

Ever since Mercedes' announcement in 2022 that the C63 will ditch the popular 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 for an electrified 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, Planet Petrolhead has been bracing for the Armageddon.

Despite the powertrain producing all of 500kW of power and 1020Nm of torque, petrified purists detested the idea.

In their opinions, 2.0-litre mills belong in Golf GTIs and lack the soundtrack associated with eight cylinders. And don't dare infuriate them further by stating that a flat foot awakens an articulated soundtrack that blares throughout the cabin and even on the outside through speakers.

So the proof was finally in the pudding when Road Test Editor Mark Jones ran the AMG C63 against the clock at Gerotek.

In clocking a 0 to 100km/h run in a mere 3.31 seconds, the new technology smashed the V8's time by 0.78sec despite being an almighty 360kg heavier.

The sedan went one further by beating its arch-rival, the all-paw BMW M3 by 0.03 seconds.