Mercedes-AMG GLC 53: Six-Cylinder Power and Drift Mode
The new Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 delivers sporty driving pleasure, an emotional six-cylinder soundtrack, and fully variable all-wheel drive with dynamic Drift Mode. It delivers an unmistakably AMG driving experience, with even greater enjoyment on winding country roads. The heart of the model is a 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder engine with twin charging via an exhaust-gas turbocharger and an electric auxiliary compressor. The engine produces 330 kW (449 hp) and delivers maximum torque of 600 Nm, with overboost rising to 640 Nm for 10 seconds at 5,200 rpm. AMG has comprehensively redeveloped this high-performance unit. It now responds more sharply and pulls eagerly through the rev range.
“With the new GLC 53, our goal was to make its Affalterbach DNA even more tangible – with more emotion, more character, and even more fun to drive. To achieve this, we have significantly upgraded our six-cylinder engine. Together with the sophisticated chassis and the fully variable all-wheel drive, it makes the GLC 53 a highly dynamic vehicle with exceptional versatility.”
Michael Schiebe, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG,
Production, Quality & Supply Chain Management, and Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH
AMG pairs the revised six-cylinder engine with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission and fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive. The drivetrain also includes an electronically controlled rear-axle limited-slip differential with Drift Mode, which AMG now offers for the first time in an AMG SUV. The system lets experienced drivers explore the full spectrum of driving dynamics on closed tracks.
Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4MATIC+ SUV | combined fuel consumption: 9.9-9.4 l/100 km | combined CO2-emissions: 225-214 g/km | CO2-class: G1
Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4MATIC+ Coupé | combined fuel consumption: 9.7-9.2 l/100 km | combined CO2-emissions: 220-209 g/km | CO2-class: G1
The new GLC 53 4MATIC+ features a further-developed 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder turbo engine with major hardware updates. AMG fits a new cylinder head with improved intake and exhaust ports and adds a new intake camshaft. The engine also gains a new intake system with increased volume and a new intercooler. These changes sharpen throttle response and improve torque delivery. Drivers can expect strong acceleration across the rev range, up to the limiter, making the experience feel more agile and sportier.
The optimised exhaust-gas turbocharger delivers 1.5 bar of boost pressure, supporting strong torque and sustained high-rev performance. The electric auxiliary compressor can now run continuously for longer and deliver up to 7.5 kW of electrical power, up from 5.0 kW. This increases response when the driver requests power. AMG also shifts the overall power curve towards higher engine speeds. The torque plateau now stretches further, with 600 Nm available in continuous operation. In overboost at 5,200 rpm, the engine delivers up to 640 Nm for up to 10 seconds.
AMG packages the second-generation integrated starter-generator (ISG) inside the transmission bell housing. It anchors the 48-volt onboard electrical system and serves as both a generator and a hybrid module. It provides short-term boosting with 17 kW and 205 Nm, supports recuperation, enables load point shifting and gliding, and restarts the engine almost imperceptibly for the start-stop function.
The performance figures match the intent. The GLC 53 accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds with RACE START from the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package. AMG electronically limits top speed to 250 km/h, and customers can raise it to 270 km/h with the optional AMG Driver's Package.
AMG also intensifies the engine note with a new exhaust system. Special resonators amplify the sound experience, and the characteristic crackle on throttle lift-off adds drama, alongside AMG-typical misfires and a bass-heavy tone under hard acceleration. The selected driving programme controls intensity. Customers can also choose AMG Real Performance Sound with a manually controllable flap exhaust system.
The 3.0-litre inline engine works with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission, which delivers short shift times, quick reactions, a double-declutching function, and multiple downshifts. The gearbox executes upshifts and downshifts immediately. It operates most spontaneously in “Sport+” and in manual mode. It also supports dynamic acceleration manoeuvres and adjusted shift strategies, while enabling fuel-efficient driving depending on the selected driving programme. Drivers can shift manually via galvanised paddles behind the steering wheel rim on the left and right.
AMG DYNAMIC SELECT gives drivers five programmes: “Slippery”, “Comfort”, “Sport", “Sport+”, and “Individual”. The optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package adds the “RACE” programme. These modes move the car from efficient and comfortable to very sporty by adjusting key parameters such as engine response, transmission behaviour, chassis tuning and steering. The driver can also switch directly to manual mode via the “M” button and change gears only with the steering wheel paddles. The driver can select chassis levels separately when needed.
AMG integrates the AMG DYNAMICS driving dynamics control system into the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT programmes. The “Basic”, “Advanced”, and “Pro” settings influence control strategies for systems such as the ESP® (Electronic Stability Programme) and the all-wheel drive. The intelligent pre-control system uses driver inputs and sensor data to anticipate the desired vehicle behaviour. It ranges from stable to highly dynamic, allowing for a more comfort-focused drive or a more performance-led feel. Drivers can also select AMG DYNAMICS functions directly via the AMG steering wheel buttons. The combination of adjustable vehicle characteristics and extensive equipment options creates a wide spread between sportiness and comfort.
AMG fits fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive as standard. The system blends high traction for dynamic driving pleasure with high driving safety across conditions, including dry roads, wet surfaces and low-grip scenarios. The drivetrain shifts continuously between rear-wheel and all-wheel drive because the intelligent control integrates into the vehicle’s overall system architecture. AMG also increases towing capacity from 1,800 kg to 2,400 kg (braked).
AMG varies the torque distribution based on the situation. In moderate driving conditions when all-wheel drive is not required, the system fully decouples the front axle to improve efficiency. From the ESP® Sport setting, AMG tunes the driving behaviour to feel more rear-biased. In Drift Mode, available with the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package, the GLC 53 behaves like a rear-wheel-drive vehicle across the entire speed range.
AMG supports this with an electronically controlled rear-axle limited-slip differential, which debuts in the GLC. AMG includes it in the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package. It strengthens traction and increases driving pleasure in all conditions. It also improves stability during lane changes, especially at high speeds. The system uses a fully variable locking effect in traction and overrun modes. It works across all road friction coefficients and maintains constant communication with other driving-dynamics control units. AMG also adds a dedicated control strategy for Drift Mode.
AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension, developed in Affalterbach, underpins agile handling, neutral cornering behaviour and high traction. The newly tuned steel suspension uses its own spring-and-damper setup and adaptive, adjustable damping. It increases the spread between dynamic driving behaviour and relaxed long-distance comfort. The system quickly and precisely adapts damping at each wheel via separate valves for the rebound and compression stages. The driver can also pre-select damper characteristics in three stages: “Comfort”, “Sport” and “Sport+”. This creates a clear distinction between comfort and sporty driving dynamics.
AMG matches the high-performance braking system to the GLC 53’s output. The front axle uses internally ventilated discs measuring 390 x 36 mm with four-piston fixed callipers and AMG lettering. The rear axle uses internally ventilated discs measuring 360 x 26 mm with single-piston floating callipers.
The steering setup also boosts both dynamics and comfort. The new GLC 53 uses three-stage AMG parameter steering that adapts to the selected driving programme. It keeps effort low during manoeuvring and parking. At higher speeds, it increases feedback, especially in the “Sport” and “Sport+” chassis settings, by adjusting the steering characteristic curve.
AMG includes rear-axle steering as standard, with a maximum steering angle of 2.5 degrees. At speeds up to 100 km/h, depending on the AMG DYNAMICS setting, the rear wheels steer in the opposite direction to the front wheels. This sharpens turn-in, reduces steering effort and improves handling. It also reduces the turning circle during turning or parking. Above 100 km/h (again, depending on the AMG DYNAMICS setting), the rear wheels steer parallel to the front wheels by up to 0.7 degrees. This increases stability by building lateral force more quickly during direction changes, which makes responses to steering commands more direct.
The optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package intensifies the driving experience with performance-focused equipment. It includes the electronically controlled rear-axle limited-slip differential and the RACE driving programme with Drift Mode. Active engine mounts provide a situation-dependent, optimised connection between engine and body. This improves vehicle dynamics, particularly at higher speeds. The package also includes an AMG Performance steering wheel in MICROCUT microfiber, with steering-wheel buttons for quick control of driving programmes and other dynamic settings. Red-painted brake callipers with AMG lettering on the front and rear axles reinforce the sporty look.
From market launch, customers can order the optional Golden Accents Package for a one-year term. It pairs obsidian black, metallic, or graphite grey magno paint with exterior details finished in techgold. Additional equipment details sharpen the overall appearance. Customers can also choose subtler flanking foils with the AMG logo as an additional distinguishing feature.
The package includes matte-black 21-inch AMG forged wheels with a cross-spoke design, techgold rim flanges, and wheel hub caps. Glossy black brake callipers with white AMG logos sit behind the wheels. AMG also adds a silver chrome fuel filler cap with AMG lettering and black design elements.
With the AMG Night Package, AMG finishes exterior elements such as mirror housings and trim strips in high-gloss black. Dark chrome tailpipe trims and door handles create smooth visual transitions. AMG also offers the AMG Night Package II for customers seeking enhanced design details. It finishes elements such as the radiator grille struts, the AMG emblem on the bonnet, and the type designations in black chrome.
AMG includes the AMG DESIGN PLUS Package as well. It comprises a front apron with an enlarged front splitter and additional flics in high-gloss black, an enlarged AMG spoiler lip on the roof spoiler (SUV) or on the tailgate (Coupé) in body colour, side airflow breakaway edges around the optical air outlets of the rear apron in high-gloss black, and a diffuser blade in high-gloss black.
The Golden Accents Package also shapes the cabin. AMG fits AMG sports seats in elegant black leather and adds seat bolsters and decorative stitching colour-matched to the exterior accents to create contrast against the seat surfaces. The door panels and instrument panel also carry contrast stitching in the same colour. AMG weaves metallic threads into the AMG carbon trim elements to match the package’s techgold theme.
AMG continues the detail work on the door sill panels. They feature an AMG pattern design in black and illuminate the AMG logo in white. AMG floor mats with decorative beige stitching complete the interior upgrades.
