AMG’s hand-built 4.0-litre V8 turbo has spread like wildfire into any vehicle that can harbour it and Mercedes’ mid-size SUV is the latest recipient.

Using the same 375kW and 700Nm engine as the C63 S, the GLC63 S enters the lineup as AMG’s fastest SUV yet. However, changes go much deeper than a simple engine transplant and include a widened track, 4Matic+ all-wheel drive and the latest nine-speed multi-clutch automatic transmission borrowed from the E63 – although it misses out on the sedan’s hoonish drift mode.

It’s the only V8 turbo powered SUV in its class but it isn’t without competition. The upcoming BMW X3 M40i and Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio as well as the current Porsche Macan S Turbo all offer hot six-cylinder rivals, though only the Italian matches its belting 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds.

Incredibly, its acceleration metrics are faster than even the C63 S. But when it does arrive in Australia towards the middle of 2018, it won’t be the quickest SUV, a title reserved for the fire-breathing full-size Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

It’s not all a numbers game for the thundering German though which offers a well-executed blend of performance and luxury bundled into one package. Mercedes says there’s a good chance many GLC63s might make a second car but the SUV will easily fill the role of sole family chariot.

Available in either coupe or wagon there’s not much differentiating the two in any spec, except for taste, and unlike the GLC43 that only offers a rear spoiler on the coupe the 63 wagon doesn’t miss out.

In the metal, the GLC63 has the typical brawn and presence of all of AMG’s heroes. Helping the muscular looking SUV standout on the road are wider wheel arches, a large front splitter and the hallmark Panamericana grille. Silver accents, lower sills, rear spoiler and a black diffuser housing two black double-tipped exhausts round out the tough look. 

Optional kit includes 21-inch alloys over the standard 20-inch items, carbon ceramic brakes and an AMG performance exhaust to turn the thunder up to eleven. A Night Package comes with gloss black exterior inserts and roof rails and an AMG exterior pack adds carbon fibre body parts.

Mercedes Australia is yet to confirm which spec we’ll receive but it should at least include the larger 21-inch alloys. Pricing isn’t expected to change much from the original announcement of $164,900 for wagon and $171,900 for coupe variants, which sees the V8 pair add around $60,000 over the V6 powered GLC43.

A limited Edition 1 package will also be available locally which adds the Night Package, yellow or grey sports stripes, 21-inch matt black alloys and black leather with yellow stitching for around $10,000.

Inside, the GLC retains all of its practicality and offers a spacious cabin with large 550-litre capacity boot. It’s mainly familiar throughout but heightens performance feel with flourishes of carbon fibre, aluminium and Alcantara.

The front sports seats are clad in leather and microfibre and the S also gets AMG badges with sportier bolstering, but looks are deceiving and there’s not much sacrifice for comfort. The dash is finished in leather with aluminium accents and a carbon fibre centre console houses controls for dynamic mode switching, infotainment control and the ever important bi-modal exhaust button.

The front electrically adjustable seats offer a high but good driving position and the leather and Alcantara sports steering wheel is the perfect accompaniment to a bit of sharp driving.

It’s a first-rate cabin with the premium fit and finish expected at this price point. 

Turning the key the hand-crafted 4.0-litre V8 fires out its trademark crackle that sounds even deeper with thunder in the big Bavarian. But despite the 4.0-litre V8 turbocharged petrol engine producing a whopping 375kW and 700Nm it’s easily tamed.

Driving modes consist of comfort, sport, sport plus and race but wet slippery German roads weren’t a good match for the later. Comfort and sport offer more than enough variation for everyday driving and an individual setting allows full customisation of every dynamic attribute.

Comfort mode’s best trick is a fuel-saving function which decouples the nine-speed automatic when coasting between speeds of 60 and 160km/h. It lets the engine idle and fuel is saved although the combined fuel consumption of 10.7L/100km isn’t light.

Comfort also relaxes the steering’s weight and sets the three-way adjustable air suspension to the most compliant setting, which still feels slightly firm on rougher surfaces and is exacerbated by the test vehicles larger 21-inch rims. However, road roar from the big tyres wasn’t intrusive and the cabin is well damped from exterior noise.

Moving to sport and sport plus the GLC feels more cohesive and unleashes the engine's crackling note which reverberates to redline. Performance becomes focused and there’s no doubt the GLC63 S delivers some of the hardest hitting power in its segment.

Despite a heavy 1945kg body mass which is well tamed by the standard brakes, it does well to turn-in sharply and is well poised in firmer suspension settings which won’t fare well for daily driving our city roads. The steering is communicative and accurate but it misses some of the finer details transmitted by the Macan, which is swifter but less brutal when pushing on.

The all-wheel drive plays a big role in taming the beast and unlike the tail happy C63, the SUV is more forgiving to a heavy right foot. The GLC gets an electronic instead of mechanical rear-axle differential but it is impressive in reducing slip. Unlike the cogged version it also changes attitude with the three-stage electronic stability control settings.

The nine-speed 'box is also quick on up and downshifts when in sport mode but slackens off in comfort, being a little more hesitant to jump in the next cog and more compliant when cruising.

Like many of AMG’s V8-powered stable the GLC’s performance focuses on hitting like a hammer rather than sprinting like a gazelle. But the addition of all-wheel drive to the thundering V8 provides noticeable grip and, for a luxe mid-size family car, its outright performance pulls away from rivals for now.

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S pricing and specifications

On sale: Late second-quarter 2018

Price: $168,000-$175,000 plus on-road costs (estimated)

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 turbo petrol

Power: 375kW at 5500rpm

Torque: 700Nm at 1750rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, all-wheel drive

Fuel use: 10.7 L/100km

• For more information, visit our Mercedes-Benz showroom.