Victory for fans: Mercedes-AMG drops the 2.0-liter engine for the new GLC 53
The return of the six-cylinder: The new Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 says goodbye to downsizing
Mercedes-AMG's bet on small, yet ultra-technological engines was a risky one. While the previous-generation 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit was an engineering masterpiece, brand purists always felt it lacked something essential: the "soul" and sonic presence of a larger engine.
Listening to the voice of the customers, the manufacturer from Affalterbach is taking one step back towards tradition and two steps forward towards performance. The new Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4Matic+, available in both classic SUV and Coupe versions, ditches the four-cylinder engine in favor of a revised 3.0-liter inline-6 unit. It is, if you will, a “white peace” signed with the enthusiasts of raw power.
The heart of the car: More than just an upgrade
Under the hood, we find a 3.0-liter inline-six engine that has undergone a profound transformation. AMG engineers have redesigned the cylinder head, optimized the intake and exhaust ports, and introduced a new intake camshaft.
The numbers that matter:
- Power: 449 hp (330 kW)
- Maximum torque: 600 Nm (which rises to 640 Nm for 10 seconds in overboost mode).
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 4.2 seconds (with RACE START function).
- Top speed: 250 km/h (electronically limited) or 270 km/h with the optional AMG Driver's Package.
The system benefits from an improved electric auxiliary compressor, now delivering 7.5 kW (up from 5.0 kW previously), virtually eliminating the phenomenon of “turbo lag”. It is all supported by a second-generation Integrated Starter Generator (ISG), which adds an instant boost of 17 kW (23 hp) and 205 Nm from a standing start.
Transmission and Dynamics: Top Agility
The power is managed by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission, configured for lightning-fast gear changes, especially in Sport+ and Manual modes.
The absolute novelty for the GLC range is the introduction of the electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, included in the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package. It works in tandem with the variable 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive to ensure phenomenal grip or, for those craving adrenaline, to support the famous Drift Mode.
Standard control technologies:
- Rear-axle steering: The rear wheels steer up to 2.5 degrees (in the opposite direction to the front wheels at low speeds and in the same direction at high speeds), reducing the turning radius and increasing stability.
- AMG RIDE CONTROL: Adaptive suspension with three adjustment levels (Comfort, Sport, Sport+).
Exclusivity: The "Golden Accents" Package
To mark the launch, Mercedes is offering the optional Golden Accents package for one year. It transforms the GLC 53 into an exotic appearance, combining Obsidian Black or Graphite Grey Magno paint with Techgold details.
- Exterior: 21-inch forged wheels in matte black with gold edges, gloss black calipers and elements from the AMG Night packages I and II.
- Interior: Black leather sports seats with gold stitching, carbon inserts woven with metallic thread and illuminated sills complete the sporty luxury atmosphere.
Price and availability in Romania
The new Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4Matic+ models (both SUV and Coupé versions) became officially available for order on the Romanian market in February 2026. The big news of this version is the return to the in-line 6-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 2.0-liter unit.
Although the final price depends on optional equipment and customization packages (such as the Night Package or the MANUFAKTUR body), the starting values in the Romanian configurator are as follows:
| Model | Starting Price (Estimated) | Power Output |
| GLC 53 4Matic+ SUV | from ~€102,000 | 449 hp + 23 hp (boost) |
| GLC 53 4Matic+ Coupé | from ~€108,500 | 449 hp + 23 hp (boost) |
Prices can quickly climb to €130,000 for "full options" configurations or special launch editions.
Availability in Romania
- Orders: Authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers in Romania have already opened order lists starting this week.
- Deliveries: The first units are scheduled to reach customers in Romania in the second half of 2026 (estimated July - September).
- Configurator: The model is visible in the official online configurator, allowing for customization of AMG design elements and assistance systems.
What do you get for this money?
The switch to the 3.0-liter engine brings a considerable increase in refinement and performance compared to the old GLC 43:
- Performance: Acceleration 0-100 km/h in approximately 4.5 - 4.7 seconds.
- Technology: 48V mild-hybrid system that provides extra torque at departure and increased efficiency.
- Standard features: AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension, active rear-axle steering and fully variable all-wheel drive.
The Verdict: More than just numbers, a statement of identity
With the new GLC 53 4Matic+, Mercedes-AMG is demonstrating that, in an era of forced efficiency, emotion cannot be completely replaced by algorithms and downsizing. The return to the inline six-cylinder engine is not just a technical improvement, but a recognition that the AMG audience is looking for a certain sonic character and power delivery that a 2.0-liter engine, however capable, could not fully replicate.
Although the starting price, which exceeds the 100,000 euro threshold, places this model in an extremely exclusive area of the Romanian market, the package offered is a complete one. You don't just get a fast SUV, but a technological laboratory on wheels: from the all-wheel steering and sophisticated suspension, to the visual exclusivity of the Golden Accents package.
For those who have questioned the demise of large engines, the new GLC 53 is the perfect answer: a car that manages to be both a refined family vehicle and a capable track-going monster. It is, in essence, a return to the recipe that made the Affalterbach brand famous, perfectly adapted for the year 2026.