​​2027 AMG® GLC 53 4MATIC® Brings the Return of the Smooth, High-Revving Inline-6​ 

Mercedes brings back an old favorite under the hood of the AMG®® GLC lineup for the 2027 model year, but while it was away, it received several new upgrades to improve driving satisfaction. The new 6-cylinder engine is available in both the SUV and Coupe body styles, and Mercedes-Benz of Plano wants to share all the details with you.

In the last redesign of the AMG® GLC, it dropped its available 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder engines and switched entirely to turbocharged 4-cylinder engines in both conventional and plug-in hybrid forms. On paper, this made sense because the power plants were not short of power. The GLC 43’s 2.0-liter inline-4 produced 416 horsepower, and the GLC 63’s plug-in hybrid system delivered a total of 671 horsepower. Power wasn’t a problem. However, many Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts value the sound and smoothness of the brand’s legendary inline-6, so it returns for 2027 in the newly designated AMG® GLC 53.

That model designation should tell you that the new 3.0-liter inline-6  AMG® GLC isn’t the most powerful in the lineup.  That still goes to the plug-in hybrid model.  Instead, it slots between the two existing drivetrains.

This is essentially the same engine found in the CLE 53 sport coupe, meaning it is turbocharged and utilizes electronic supercharging to increase power at low engine rpm. The result is 443 horsepower and exactly 443 lb-ft of torque. However, that numeric symmetry can be broken for 10 seconds at a time with an overboost system that temporarily boosts torque to 472 lb-ft.

From its earlier form, the six-cylinder engine in the GLC 53 has been comprehensively redesigned with a new cylinder head, intake camshaft, intercooler, and a more efficient intake system capable of higher volume, allowing for higher revs and more exhilarating performance. Once used only for short bursts at low RPM, the electric supercharger can now operate almost continuously, increasing its maximum boost from seven to 10 horsepower. AMG® also emphasizes the new exhaust system, which uses resonators to improve sound quality.

A newly designed integrated starter-generator (ISG) is embedded into the transmission bell housing. As a key part of the 48-volt on-board electrical system, it functions as an electric generator and also handles hybrid tasks. This includes supporting the engine at lower speeds with 23 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, as well as enabling energy recovery, load shifting, and smooth start-stop operation.

The AMG® SPEEDSHIFT® TCT 9G dual-clutch transmission delivers impressive performance, including rapid shift times, swift responsiveness, and multi-ratio downshifts. Both upshifts and downshifts are executed immediately. The transmission exhibits particularly responsive performance in the “Sport+” driving mode, manual mode, and the accessible “RACE” driving program. Steering wheel-mounted shift paddles let the driver enjoy the transmission’s operation directly, plus, the transmission’s calibration can be customized to suit a range of driving conditions, from highly dynamic to fuel-efficient.

The 4MATIC®+ AWD system has also received attention. While the base setting is designed for efficiency, the ESP® Sport and more aggressive modes create a bias toward the rear wheels while still adapting to conditions. For the hooligan in you, the available AMG® DYNAMIC PLUS® Package adds Drift Mode, which sends all power to the rear wheels.

“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.

Inside and outside, the GLC 53 looks like the rest of the model lineup. For the 2027 model year, it will be available with a trim-exclusive Golden Accents package, offered only with the Obsidian Black Metallic or Graphite Grey Magno exterior colors. This package adds TechGold trim on the body, 21-inch forged wheels, and black front brake calipers with white “AMG®” lettering.

The 2027 AMG® GLC 53 is expected to arrive at Mercedes-Benz of Plano’s extensive inventory in summer 2026, with pricing and more details available closer to the launch date. Contact one of our sales professionals to ask them to notify you when the first models arrive.