Till just lately, a brute drive was lurking below the entrance hood of the AMG-treated Mercedes-Benz GLC, a 4.0-litre V8 turbo engine that hurled the SUV ahead with a thunderous roar. Principally as a result of politically compelled electrification in Europe, the AMG GLC 63 has now undergone a major transformation: engine displacement and cylinder rely have been halved – whereas the burden has elevated considerably attributable to a battery sitting beneath the trunk, powering an electrical motor.
AMG has definitely opted for essentially the most radical answer, whereas the competitors stays significantly extra conservative. For instance, BMW sticks with the inline-six-cylinder within the X3 M and X4 M fashions. Has Affalterbach made the proper selection?

The uncooked efficiency figures, at the least, appear to counsel so. With an astonishing 680 PS and as much as 1020 Newton meters of torque, the GLC confidently takes the lead in its section. It jumps from 0 to 100 km/h in simply 3.5 seconds, its high pace is restricted to a beneficiant 275 km/h. Much more astonishing, it’s claimed to devour solely 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres within the European “weighted and mixed” cycle. Nonetheless, this declare must be put into perspective. Throughout a spirited drive on Spanish nation roads, not at autobahn speeds, we recorded a mean consumption of almost 16 litres per 100 kilometres.

This implies the brand new four-cylinder hybrid differs solely barely from the gas consumption of the earlier eight-cylinder mannequin. However the treasured gas is nicely invested as a result of the GLC 63 S E-Efficiency is a great deal of enjoyable to drive, regardless of its hefty curb weight of over 2.3 tons. Because of a sufficiently giant battery, full acceleration is on the market at virtually all instances. Relying on the driving mode, the SUV eagerly surges ahead, accompanied by an aggressive, sharp and artificially enhanced exhaust notice that doesn’t try and imitate a six or eight-cylinder engine however manages to sound distinctively sporty in its personal approach. Fairly much like the A forty five AMG, really.

The usual rear-axle steering enhances agility at decrease speeds and stability at increased speeds – it really works exceptionally nicely. The equally customary anti-roll stabilisation system almost eliminates physique roll in quick corners. Our check automobile was geared up with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tires, 265/40ZR 21 within the entrance and 295/35ZR-21 within the rear; the car supplies ample grip and might obtain surprisingly excessive cornering speeds. The one draw back is the brakes – they chunk forcefully however really feel considerably synthetic, and the pedal journey is just too quick for exact modulation.

Apart from that, the GLC 63 is a real GLC, geared up with all of the superior driver help and infotainment techniques that make the present chief in its class. AMG provides particular screens and options, giving the car a sure online game allure. There’s sufficient room for 4, however the trunk is considerably shallow as a result of huge hybrid battery pack.

The GLC 63 AMG has by no means been a budget-friendly choice, and on its German residence market, the worth has elevated by a whopping 25 per cent or so. On this context, the AMG GLC 43, additionally a four-cylinder however with out plug-in hybridisation, turns into a real different, boasting 421 PS and much lower cost tag. Rumours counsel that AMG is considering of resurrecting the V8 within the C-Class, however whether or not this may really materialise and whether or not it will work its approach into the GLC as nicely stays unclear. We’ll says this: Although the brand new GLC 63 S E-Efficiency is a good automobile, we’d welcome the V-8 again with open arms.