Equally important is the new exhaust system with special resonators that’s been designed to create an AMG-worthy racket. Sure, it doesn’t have that legendary V8 bellow, but there’s no denying this six-cylinder engine sounds awesome. It has a deep, husky tone and is suitably naughty with all the crackling, popping and banging you get on downshifts.
The noise doesn’t fill the cabin; in fact, it’s a little distant, but at the same time that makes it feel more authentic, rather than an audio file that’s being pumped into the car. Although apparently a tiny amount is, we’re told.
Switch from Sport+ into Comfort mode and the GLC 53 is still a treat for the ears when you want it to be, but give your right foot a rest and the car is quiet and easy to drive, allowing you to go about your day like it’s a humble diesel.
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Stopping and starting in town traffic are very smooth thanks to the hybrid system, and the engine doesn’t bark or roar into life each time you set off again. Meanwhile, as you cruise along the motorway at 70mph, the engine rumbles away quietly in the background and the car feels incredibly stable, as we can attest from a blast down Germany’s de-restricted autobahns.
The GLC 53 also features a new suspension system, because AMG wanted to create a greater spread of abilities between comfort and sportiness. Without driving the cars back to back, we can’t say for sure if this new car has improved over the old GLC 43 and GLC 63 S E Performance it replaces, but for an AMG, the ride is very comfortable, if a tad jiggly at times.
