2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC53 – delicate hybrid straight-six replaces four-cylinder; 449 PS, 640 Nm, 0-100 4.2 secs

It isn’t typically that Germans admit that they have been incorrect, however Mercedes-AMG’s ill-fated downsizing to four-cylinder engines was most positively A Mistake. Having wager the home on its fast-but-anodyne C43/GLC43 and plug-in hybrid C63/GLC63Affalterbach is now back-pedalling exhausting by placing a multi-cylinder engine again into Mercedes’ compact govt fashions, beginning with the brand new GLC53.

This automobile is virtually similar to the GLC43, however as a substitute of the A45’s M139 2.0 litre turbo four-pot underneath the bonnet, you’ll now discover the M256M 3.0 litre straight-six out of the CLE53. It isn’t really that rather more highly effective, providing solely 28 PS extra at 449 PS from 5,800 to six,100 rpm – though torque is up some 100 Nm to 600 Nm between 2,200 and 5,200 rpm.

As earlier than, there’s a 48-volt delicate hybrid system, however as a substitute of a belt-driven starter-generator (BSG), there’s now an built-in starter-generator (ISG) sandwiched between the six-pot and the nine-speed AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automated gearbox. This produces 23 PS (+9 PS) and 205 Nm (+55 Nm) in further accelerative energy and permits the engine to change off whereas coasting and smoothens the stop-start operation.

Flooring the throttle and also you get an additional 40 Nm (640 Nm) for as much as ten seconds, enabling the automobile to dash from zero to 100 km/h in simply 4.2 seconds – greater than half a second faster than the GLC43 – on its approach to an electronically-limited high pace of 250 km/h (270 km/h with the AMG Driver’s Package deal). However actually, it’s the “highly effective, sonorous sound” that patrons will likely be flocking to this mannequin for, additional augmented by an optionally available switchable AMG Actual Efficiency Sound exhaust.

The GLC53 additionally advantages from a number of goodies from the GLC63, together with an upgraded AMG Efficiency 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system. This supplies elevated rear bias with ESP Sport enabled, along with decoupling the entrance axle when not wanted to extend effectivity. And, for those who go for the AMG Dynamic Plus Package deal, you may lock the system into rear-wheel drive in Drift mode and pull lurid, smoky drifts to your coronary heart’s content material, supported by an included digital limited-slip rear differential.

Elsewhere, you get retuned steel-sprung suspension with AMG Journey Management adaptive dampers, three-stage AMG variable steering, as much as 2.5 levels of rear-wheel steering and big metal brakes with 390 mm discs and four-piston callipers on the entrance. All that is managed by the AMG Dynamic Choose system with the same old Slippery, Consolation, Sport, Sport+ and Particular person drive modes (plus a Race mode with the aforementioned AMG Dynamic Plus pack), in addition to Fundamental, Superior and Professional driveline and ESP settings.

Simply as with the GLC43, the GLC53 is differentiated visually by way of large entrance air intakes, jutting aspect skirts and a big rear diffuser with built-in quad spherical exhausts. It’s obtainable in the identical common and sloped-back Coupé variations as earlier than, and for the primary yr of manufacturing, a Golden Accents Package deal may also be made obtainable.

The identify might sound just a little loutish however the auric accents are literally fairly delicate, pairing an Obsidian Black or matte Graphite Gray Magno exterior with techgold accents on the ghosted AMG script on the rear doorways, together with the lips and centre caps of the 21-inch matte black cross-spoke alloy wheels.

This package deal additionally bundles within the prolonged AMG Night time Package deal II and the AMG Design Package deal, the latter including a extra pronounced entrance splitter and tailgate spoiler, plus a gloss black end for the faux rear vent fairings and diffuser blades.

Inside, the GLC53 retains AMG-specific options similar to an AMG Efficiency steering wheel (sadly nonetheless with capacitive contact buttons) with built-in drive mode and suspension buttons and shows, AMG sports activities seats and obtainable carbon fibre decor. With the Golden Accents Package deal, the latter comes with woven metallic threads, and the complete cabin positive factors beige stitching.

The GLC53 is about to exchange each the GLC43 and GLC63, as AMG prepares to kill off its short-lived four-cylinder experiment. Mockingly, regardless of the M139 being meant as a springboard for greater electrification, that engine isn’t appropriate with upcoming Euro 7 rules with out vital modifications, resulting in its impending demise.

In the meantime, the M177 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 that the two.0 litre mill was meant to exchange is being retooled with a flat-plane crank to satisfy these emissions requirements, getting into service within the facelifted S580 and a hardcore model of the AMG CLE.

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