Mercedes’ AMG fashions have historically been loud, blunt-force objects. They might typically be discovered going sideways or spewing tire smoke. Instances have modified.

However issues at AMG are getting difficult because the electrified period comes on-line. The most recent AMGs are exact efficiency machines that not reward hamfisted driving. The plug-in hybrid 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency will carry one of these chilly, technical precision when it arrives within the U.S. within the second half of 2024.

After spending time behind the wheel of an early construct Euro-spec GLC 63 S E Efficiency (let’s simply name it the GLC 63 S for now, we could?) in Barcelona, Spain, a part of me misses the V-8, half sort of loves this plug-in hybrid stepping stone, and half is able to skip straight to the totally electrical future.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

GLC says goodbye V-8, hiya difficult hybrid turbo-4

The dual-turbo V-8’s gone. RIP. Below the hood of the GLC 63 S sits a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that makes 469 hp and 404 lb-ft of torque hooked to a 9-speed automated transmission with a moist clutch. That turbocharger first spools up off of energy from the high-voltage battery’s 400-volt electrical system after which the exhaust gasses take over. It’s straight Components 1 tech. There’s additionally a 201-hp electrical motor within the rear packaged with a 2-speed transmission and a limited-slip differential in a single housing. The motor is powered by a 6.1-kwh battery developed by the wizards at AMG. It’s the very same powertrain discovered within the C 63 S E Efficiency sedan.

All in, the system develops a whopping 671 hp and 752 lb-ft. As I’ll quickly see, that energy is powerful.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

GLC 63 S E Efficiency has a number of personalities

Pushing the beginning button on the GLC 63 S’s dashboard brings the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 11.9-inch touchscreen to life, however except for some buzzing from the powertrain’s followers you wouldn’t know this factor was working. 

Pulling out of the resort’s car parking zone in Consolation mode with an almost totally charged battery, the gasoline engine doesn’t hearth to life. The GLC begins emitting a faint Starship Enterprise-type noise from an exterior-mounted speaker. It suits with the gauge cluster’s Sport mode’s design theme, which options laser-like traces that shoot out on both aspect of the digital pace readout as in the event you’re coming into warp pace. 

Pushing the thin pedal right down to the three quarter level kicks on the turbo-4, and energy hits rapidly because of how rapidly the turbocharger spools up. Turbo lag is seemingly a factor of the previous. Whoops. Brakes, now! This can be a metropolis middle.

As I head onto the freeway I mash the accelerator to the ground, blowing previous a detent about 90% of the way in which by way of the pedal journey. The complete pressure of 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque shoots the matte silver AMG ahead and I rapidly notice, “I don’t need to go to jail in Spain.” I decelerate, however this factor is fast. Mercedes stated it launches from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds and is ruled to high out at 171 mph. My butt dyno says the 0-60 mph time appears correct, however I’m sensible sufficient to not take a look at the highest pace.

Cruising alongside the freeway in Consolation mode, the GLC 63 is quiet regardless of the turbo-4 working within the backgrounder. There’s the fainest thrum from the sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, however the pavement is far smoother than the damaged stuff in America. Little wind noise makes its approach into the cabin, and the adaptive dampers and air suspension present a relaxed trip.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

Turning off the freeway onto slim two-lane nation roads, I flick the spherical knob on the steering wheel to Sport mode. The transmission kicks down a gear or two and the suspension corporations up a bit. With the fast character change, the silver AMG is able to carve corners, however I’m impatient. After just a few turns  I encounter a small white automobile going below the pace restrict, which is simply unacceptable.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

Flicking the drive mode selector into Sport+, the powertrain is cranked to 9, as a result of 11 is saved for Race mode, however that may be extreme for passing an financial system automobile on a two-lane highway. I cross the sluggish poke rapidly, and the GLC’s steering gels with me. It’s exact, properly weighted, and whereas not telepathic, it’s communicative. 

Mercedes pulls out all of the methods to make the GLC 63 S E Efficiency agile. Rear-wheel steering is normal. Below 62 mph, the rear wheels flip the wrong way because the fronts as much as 2.5 levels ,whereas over that pace the rear wheels flip parallel with the fronts as much as 0.7 diploma. Mixed with AMG’s tuning of the adaptive dampers and air suspension, together with the electromechanical stabilizer bars that may modify on the fly to combat physique lean, this heavy beast is shockingly composed round corners. Mercedes received’t say how a lot it weighs but, but it surely’s not mild. It’s definitely greater than the 4,654-pound C63 S E Efficiency, which itself gained 780 kilos over the outgoing V-8-powered mannequin. Count on one thing related right here when ultimate specs are launched.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

GLC 63 S E Efficiency is difficult

The brakes are the low level of the automobile’s dynamics. The system combines friction and regenerative braking always, and its tuning lacks chew. Whereas the brake pedal is progressive in its strain and stopping energy, I discover no exhausting chew at any level by way of the pedal journey. It’s a picket feeling that makes it exhausting to encourage confidence regardless of understanding the brakes are sturdy. The usual brakes are 15.4-inch entrance and 14.6-inch rear rotors paired with 6-piston fastened entrance and 1-piston floating rear calipers. 

Mercedes USA spokesperson Michael Minielly confirmed to Motor Authority that carbon-ceramic brakes might be an possibility, although not at launch. That improve may remedy the issue, relying on the system calibration.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

The GLC 63’s regenerative braking ranges could be modified, however I can’t work out how throughout my preliminary drive. Hours later I ask AMG’s Director of Automobile Growth Steffen Jastrow the way to change them. He faucets the little spherical display on the steering-wheel mounted drive mode selector and the graphic modifications from the present drive mode setting to a battery with an arrow circling it. I didn’t know that this display is definitely a button.

I head out to play with the regenerative braking system, however Steffen warns me, “the battery is almost totally charged up, so that you received’t have the ability to go to stage 4. There’s an excessive amount of juice within the pack.”

I flip the drive mode selector to EL for Electrical Mode. The Starship Enterprise noise is again. For those who mash the accelerator to the ground, even in electric-only mode, the engine will hearth. The turbo-4 powertrain sounds…nice. It has a gruffness that matches with the AMG model. I rapidly run the battery right down to the midway level, which permits me to crank the regenerative braking to Degree 4. Word: It’s truly stage three on the display, AMG counts 0 as the primary stage, which is bizarre and complicated.

Steffen stated Degree 4 would allow one-pedal driving. It doesn’t. Regenerative brake drag turns into noticeable and slows the GLC down as if the brakes had been partially engaged, but it surely doesn’t carry the GLC 63 to a whole cease. I’m able to sluggish the GLC to three mph, but it surely simply retains rolling. Degree 0 provides no additional pull, whereas Degree 1 is barely noticeable. It’s in all probability the extent most individuals ought to use every day, because it’ll recharge the battery faster however doesn’t actually intrude on every day driving. Ranges 2 and three really feel like a bizarre center floor and don’t appear to make sense.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

GLC 63 S E Efficiency emphasizes efficiency over effectivity

Whereas we all know the battery measurement, Mercedes isn’t prepared to speak about how lengthy the GLC 63 S E Efficiency will take to cost. It might’t be that lengthy on a Degree 2 240-volt charger given the 6.1-kwh pack.

That pack measurement additionally severely limits how far the GLC could be pushed on electrical energy alone earlier than firing up the gasoline engine. Steffen stated the European-spec automobiles we drove have an all-electric driving vary of 12 km, which is 7.5 miles. However that’s measured on the European WLTP effectivity cycle, which is kinder than the U.S.’s EPA cycle. It’d solely have about 5 miles of electric-only vary as measured right here.

That pack likes to maintain its power stage between 20% and 95%. In sure conditions, notably whereas sitting in a car parking zone “idling,” the system will let the battery discharge right down to 10%, however no much less. Steffen stated the system retains a reserve to make sure there’s full energy at any given time when the accelerator is put to the ground. Above 95% the system will shed power to the rear motor to make sure there’s room for recuperation from the braking system.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

GLC 63 S E Efficiency AMG-ifies the inside

The inside of the GLC 63 S E Efficiency from the B-pillar ahead is basically lifted out of the C-Class sedan. Aft of the B-pillars it’s a GLC with finer supplies. Up entrance, it has a pair of sport bucket seats with electronically adjustable bolsters that may give some love to like handles. My common construct suits completely. The whole lot’s coated in nappa leather-based, suede, shiny piano black plastic, silver trim, and/or carbon fiber. It’s a welcoming, high-quality, and sporty atmosphere, although the piano black plastic will ultimately get scratched up. The show graphics are AMG-specific, however they’ll really feel acquainted, as will the controls, or what’s left of them, to anybody who’s been in a latest Mercedes product.

Mercedes hasn’t stated how a lot the 2025 GLC 63 S E Efficiency will price, however anticipate a value hike over the $85,000 of the final mannequin because of that costly powertrain. F1-tech isn’t low-cost.

All through my time with the GLC 63 S Efficiency, conflicting ideas stored working by way of my head. My important thought was, “that is each nice and simply so overly difficult.” That naturally led to, “man, I sort of miss the V-8,” adopted by “why aren’t we simply skipping straight to the electrical future?” The longer term could also be good or dangerous, however for now, , I’ll get pleasure from this stepping stone on the journey.

Mercedes-Benz paid for journey and lodging, which included sketchy wifi, to carry you this firsthand report.