The new Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 brings 449hp, a high-revving straight-six and rear-axle steering to the SUV and Coupé, while the all-electric AMG GT 4-Door Coupé offers a glimpse of AMG’s electric future

Singapore — There is still something rather appealing about a good straight-six. Especially when it comes from Affalterbach, produces 449hp and comes with an exhaust note that doesn’t need to be piped through a pair of speakers.

Mercedes-Benz Singapore has introduced the new Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4MATIC+ in both SUV and Coupé forms, bringing more firepower to its versatile midsize SUV line-up. Prices start at S$475,888 for the SUV and S$483,888 for the Coupé.

Both versions are powered by a further developed 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine producing 330kW (449hp) and 600Nm of torque. Engage overboost and torque rises to 640Nm for up to 10 seconds — handy when a gap in traffic suddenly presents itself, or when you simply fancy making a point.

Both body styles sprint from zero to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h, although the optional AMG Driver’s Package raises that to 270km/h.

Six cylinders, with a little electric assistance

The GLC 53’s engine has received a series of upgrades, including a revised cylinder head, improved intake and exhaust ports, a new intake camshaft, a larger intake system and a new intercooler. The exhaust gas turbocharger runs at up to 1.5 bar of boost pressure, while an upgraded electric auxiliary compressor now draws up to 7.5kW of electrical power, compared with 5kW previously.

The aim is sharper throttle response and stronger delivery across the rev range, rather than simply chasing a bigger headline figure.

A second-generation integrated starter-generator is also part of the 48-volt electrical system. It supports energy recuperation, smoother engine restarts and a brief boost of up to 17kW and 205Nm.

In other words, there is some electrification under the bonnet, but the star of the show remains a proper six-cylinder petrol engine.

You make me feel like dancin’… I’m gonna dance the night away

The revised exhaust system gets special resonators to give the engine a more pronounced voice under acceleration, along with characteristic crackles when the driver lifts off the throttle. AMG Real Performance Sound, complete with a manually controlled exhaust flap, allows the soundtrack to be further tailored to the driver’s preference.

Fast feet, clever handling

Power is sent through the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G nine-speed transmission and fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive. The gearbox offers quick shifts, double-declutching and the ability to make multiple downshifts, with its responses varying according to the selected driving programme.

Five AMG DYNAMIC SELECT modes — Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual — allow drivers to adjust the car’s character. An optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package adds a RACE programme and Drift Mode, alongside an electronically controlled rear-axle limited-slip differential and active engine mounts.

The GLC 53 also gets AMG RIDE CONTROL adaptive suspension, with separate rebound and compression damping control to balance handling and comfort. Drivers can choose between Comfort, Sport and Sport+ suspension settings.

Perhaps more noteworthy is the standard rear-axle steering, which turns the rear wheels by up to 2.5 degrees in the opposite direction to the fronts at lower speeds, helping the SUV turn more tightly when manoeuvring. At higher speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels by up to 0.7 degrees to improve stability during changes of direction.

The braking hardware is suitably serious, too, with six-piston fixed callipers gripping 390mm discs at the front, and 360mm discs at the rear.

For those who prefer their performance SUVs to make a visual statement as well, an optional Golden Accents Package is available for one year from market launch. It pairs Obsidian Black metallic or Graphite Grey Magno paintwork with techgold detailing, matte black 21-inch AMG forged wheels with matching accents and a selection of coordinated interior finishes.

The package also includes the AMG Night Package and AMG DESIGN PLUS Package, bringing additional black exterior detailing, a larger front splitter, a more prominent rear spoiler lip and a revised rear diffuser. Inside, black leather AMG sports seats feature colour-matched stitching, complemented by AMG carbon trim woven with metallic threads.

An electric AMG is also in the spotlight

Also featured at the Singapore launch is the all-electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé, following its Asian debut at adidas Orchard Ignition. There, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team reserve driver Fred Vesti took the car for hot laps along Orchard Road.

The GT 4-Door Coupé is significant for being the first series-production model based on AMG’s new AMG.EA architecture. It features axial-flux motors and a directly cooled battery developed through the CONCEPT AMG GT XX technology programme.

The concept car covered more than 40,000km in under eight days and set multiple world records, demonstrating the endurance of the technology being developed for AMG’s next generation of electric performance cars.

While the GLC 53 stays faithful to the appeal of a turbocharged straight-six, the electric GT offers a glimpse of how the same performance philosophy is being carried into the battery-electric era.

For now, Singapore buyers looking for a more traditional AMG experience can have their six-cylinder fix in either GLC 53 body style, with the SUV priced at S$475,888 and the Coupé at S$483,888.

Photos: Clifford Chow