Almost every year Brabus prepares a comprehensive set of improvements for a number of Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG vehicles. They usually present them at the Auto Shows in Geneva, Paris, or Frankfurt. This year, with the Paris Motor Show nearing, Brabus revealed its new Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S. It is a small compact crossover with an insane 4.0-liter engine, now tricked out by Brabus. This car seems to be as close to contradictions as humanly possible. It is a family crossover (sensible at that), but with such a monstrosity under the bonnet, you’d feel threatened by it even if you drove in a Ferrari F430.

The Brabus Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S basically represents everything that is bad with the car market today, and then it represents everything that is awesome as well.

You know what? I don’t care if you have all the hate in the world for the SUV/Crossovers or whatever. This thing is awesome, and you will learn why here.

What Makes the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S by Brabus Special?

The stock Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S has an engine that churns out 503 horsepower. That is a lot of power for a tiny compact SUV. But not a lot for Brabus train of thought. Brabus installed an all-new plug-and-play module that dramatically changes the nature of the 4.0-liter, turbocharged, V-8. Changing the injection, the ignition, and increasing the turbo boost, the engine power surged to 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. See, same power, but a lot more torque compared with the latest British supercar.

The 4.0-liter, V-8 in the GLC 63 S is the same one as in many other Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG cars. It is so common within the performance stardom of AMG that Brabus crafted a plug-and-play module that easily reprograms the stock ECU parameters and releases added power. In the world of the Mercedes-AMG GT, this engine has been tuned to deliver over 570 horsepower (in the mighty GT R). So, this Brabus work adds a bit more to it than that.

And it shows.

While such power output takes the crossover into supercar territory, even with 88 horsepower less, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S can provide 0-62 mph acceleration in 3.8 seconds. With Brabus doing its magic this number falls to 3.6 seconds. In other words, line this crossover next to, say, the Jaguar F-Type with a supercharged, 5.0-liter V-8, and it will beat it to 62 mph. At least, it will match its top speed of 186 mph. Brabus removed the 155 mph limiter, because, why the hell not.

Ok, I understand that having massive wheels on a car is kinda cool. But tuners and manufacturers really started to go for overkill with wheel sizing. Brabus mounted insane 21-inch wheels (and there are even 22-inch wheels available) on what is basically just a small compact crossover. I feel that 20-inch wheels would be equally impressive. Nevertheless, these are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero rubber (265/40 ZR 21 and 295/35 ZR 21). Furthermore, Brabus created an all-new air suspension setup that dropped the height of the car by 1.2 inches. Add to this the BRABUS sports exhaust with electronically controlled valves for a special aural experience, and the GLC 63 S goes far above what one can expect of a compact crossover.

Conclusion

After revealing an awesome tuned up Mercedes G-Class, and that strikingly zippy 123 horsepower Smart ForTwo Brabus 125R, the German tuner Brabus has gifted us with the uprated GLC 63 S. It is the only one in a line of tuned cars that will appear at the next Paris Motor Show with the Brabus “B” plaque on it. Presented in deep black with subtle exterior tweaks and leather rich cabin, the AMG GLC 63 S by Brabus is a unique proposition in a world of compact SUVs. One that can do supercar worthy stuff all day long.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GLC63.

Read more Mercedes-Benz news.