Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S priced from $164,900

MERCEDES-BENZ Australia/Pacific has confirmed that the brutish Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S will arrive locally in time for Christmas when it is set to become the country's fastest-accelerating SUV.

Pricing will kick off at $164,900 before on-road costs for the five-door wagon, with the slope-backed coupe commanding a $7000 premium, at $171,900.

For a tick under under $11,000 extra, buyers can step up to Edition 1 versions of the wagon and coupe with their special launch package of high-end trim, bigger wheels and carbon ceramic brakes.

All are powered by AMG’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine shared with the GT sportscar, punching out 375kW of power at 5500-6250rpm and 700Nm of torque from 1750rpm-4500rpm in this application.

Power is sent to all four wheels via AMG's Performance 4Matic+ drivetrain and nine-speed Speedshift MCT automatic transmission – technologies that debuted on the E63 S sedan earlier this year.

Mercedes-AMG says the GLC63 S wagon and coupe can both dispatch the zero-to-100km/h sprint in 3.8 seconds – faster than the Bentley Bentayga W12 and Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, both of which do the dash in 4.1s.

While the Bentayga manages a top speed of 301km/h, the GLC63 S is electronically-limited to 270km/h.

A booming soundtrack will accompany the AMG's surging acceleration, with a bi-modal performance exhaust system controlled by an in-cabin button.

Five Dynamic Select driving modes – Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Race and Individual – adjust engine, transmission, suspension, steering, stability control and all-wheel drive settings.

The mid-size wagon and coupe share other equipment levels, including multi-chamber air suspension, adjustable adaptive dampers and an electronic rear-axle limited-slip differential.

High-performance brakes comprise 390mm discs at the front and 360mm discs at the rear, while carbon ceramic brakes are available on the options list for $7500.

The GLC63 S is the first non-GT AMG model to sport the brand's now-signature Panamericana grille with its vertical chrome slats.

Other exterior changes include a wider front apron with large splitter, side sill panels and a roof-mounted lip spoiler, as well as beefier wheel arch claddings for the front and rear.

An Exterior Carbon Package can be optioned for $4500, adding carbon-fibre mirror scalps and a carbon-fibre roof-mounted lip spoiler.

Inside, a performance steering wheel is trimmed in black Nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre fabric, while sports seats are leather-appointed. The instrument cluster gets a race timer feature.

The Edition 1 launch pack – priced at $10,900 – delivers designo Selenite Magno paint, yellow sports stripes, 21-inch black alloy wheels with yellow rims, an aerodynamics package, carbon ceramic brakes, yellow-stitched black Nappa leather performance seats, matte carbon-fibre interior trim, Dinamica performance steering wheel and yellow instrument cluster highlights, as well as yellow-stitched dashboard and door trims.

When they arrive in December, the GLC63 S twins will effectively occupy a class of their own, but rivals could be waiting in the wings, with a BMW X3 M and Audi RSQ5 rumoured to be on the horizon.

For now at least, Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific has elected not to take the less powerful, likely cheaper GLC63 with its 350kW/650Nm V8.

2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S pricing*

SUV (a)	$164,900
Coupe (a)	$171,900
SUV Edition 1 (a)	$175,800
Coupe Edition 1 (a)	$182,800

*Excludes on-road costs