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Bruce Newton18 Jun 2015
NEWS

Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 confirmed

And it will be coming to Australia, Benz executive reveals

A fire-breathing AMG '63' version of the new GLC SUV currently under development will be launched in 2016 and is definitely coming to Australia.

The 4.0-litre V8 twin turbo version of Benz's new medium-sized wagon was confirmed at the overnight global debut of the GLC in Germany.

It will be the first time the new M177 engine is matched with Benz's 4Matic all-wheel drive system.

An AMG Sport V6 twin turbo GLC 450 AMG 4Matic model was also confirmed overnight as a future part of the line-up.

The mainstream GLC range goes on-sale in Australia in December, with as many as three turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel versions of the five-seater to be launched, while a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid will come as soon as next year.

The GLC is the renamed second generation replacement for the GLK SUV, which was only ever manufactured in left-hand drive and never offered in Australia or as an AMG.

While the 450 was officially confirmed during the media presentation of the GLC at the headquarters of clothing company Hugo Boss in Metzingen, the surprise 63 confirmation was made on the sidelines of the function to a small group of Australian journalists by Matthias Luhrs, vice president sales functions Mercedes-Benz cars and product management Mercedes-Benz.

"We will definitely do this, why not?" said Luhrs, who was managing director of Mercedes-Benz Australia between 2000 and 2003.

Luhrs said the sales share of AMG's high performance range in Australia guaranteed the GLC 63 would be joining the range.

"Australia is proportionately one of the top three countries in the world for AMG sales compared to overall Mercedes-Benz sales. The share of AMG is very high," he said.

The M177 engine expected to resided under the bonnet of the GLC 63 powers the 205 Series C 63, and a similar dry-sump (M178) version is in the new AMG GT.

Luhrs could not say whether Australia would take the standard 63 version of the GLC – which produces 350kW and 650Nm – or the 'S' version with 375kW and 700Nm.

In the case of both the C 63 and the GT, Mercedes-Benz Australia has opted to take the higher output S version.

Whatever the decision, the GLC 63 will offer Mercedes-Benz a decided performance and marketing advantage over arch-rivals BMW and Audi, which offer neither an M version of the X3 nor RS version of the Q5.

The M177 engine will gradually make its way through the AMG range as generational change occurs.

The adaptation to 4Matic will be helpful for AMG beyond the GLC as other models make the transition to the new engine. For instance, next year's E-class will swap from a 5.5-litre biturbo V8 and is also expected to adopt all-wheel drive in right-hand drive form for the first time.

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