Fast Lane Car Proclaims AMG GLC 63 Has ‘Best Engine in the Auto World’
New AMG has 469 HP and is a super-solid buy. But how does it compare to the Quadrifoglio’s 500 HP Ferrari powerplant?
If you are in the market for a high-performance SUV with luxury credentials, it is highly likely that you might be looking at both the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 as well as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio.
To help simplify your decision, YouTuber Roman Mica of The Fast Lane Car has teamed up with Alex Dykes of Alex on Autos to present an in-depth comparison between the two models.
Starting with the mechanical specs, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 packs a 4.0-liter biturbo V8 that makes 469 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The power is sent to all four wheels via Mercedes’ famed 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, and the enhanced traction allows for a 0-60 miles per hour sprint of just 3.8 seconds.
On the other hand, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio gets a Ferrari-sourced 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 505 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. The unit is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and the 0-60 mph time is even more impressive at 3.6 seconds. All this actually makes both SUVs quicker than the Porsche 911 Carrera in a straight line.
‘The noise [of the Stelvio] is absolutely incredible. I just find myself putting this thing in manual mode and just shifting all the time so that I can hear it snarl at me.’
However, that’s not all. Compared to the standard variants, the GLC 63 AMG and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio also get a more aggressive styling, louder exhaust, retuned suspension, and various other mechanical enhancements.
Moving on, the Mercedes’ highlight, according to Mica, is its V8 powertrain, which he describes as “one of the best engines in the automotive world.” Meanwhile, according to Dykes, the Stelvio’s USP is its soundtrack. He says: “The noise [of the Stelvio] is absolutely incredible. I just find myself putting this thing in manual mode and just shifting all the time so that I can hear it … snarl at me.”
However, in terms of the overall driving experience and performance, both the GLC63 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio appear to be evenly matched, albeit with some differences in the details. “[The Stelvio] drives a little bit tighter than the [GLC63] AMG,” says Dykes. “It’s a little bit less polished but [also] a little bit more exciting.” The reviewers also point out that Stelvio has more turbo-lag at the bottom end, but better exhaust, and also, its interior dimensions feel larger to that of the GLC 63.
That said, the infotainment systems of both cars have been disapproved by the reviewers. One may argue that this is irrelevant to a driving enthusiast, but it does show how the legacy carmakers these days are struggling a bit with the software-related aspects of the vehicles, especially when compared to the offerings of Silicon Valley-based companies like Tesla.
So, all said and done: who wins the test? Well, no one really. Dykes picks the Mercedes-AMG GLC63, while Mica goes with the Alfa. From what we comprehend, the GLC 63 appears to be the better all-rounder, but the Stelvio has the more emotional driving experience. We must note though, the Mercedes also starts at a comparatively lower price-point.