Mercedes-AMG recently invited the AutoTrader team to sunny Spain to experience its first hybrid performance SUV, the GLC 63 S E Performance. The new model has ditched its V8 for a four-cylinder turbo petrol/electric hybrid set-up. Here's our driving impression!
As the automotive world moves further and further away from petrol and diesel-powered internal combustion engines, we’ve seen the implementation of downsized engines, alternate fuels, hybrids and all-electric vehicles emerge within many motoring brands’ portfolios.
This can be an easy transition for some brands but far more difficult for others, and point in case is the performance wing of Mercedes-Benz, namely, Mercedes-AMG, which has quite literally built its fan base on the back of its incredible twelve, eight, and more recently, six and four-cylinder engines. While its six and four-cylinder engines are less associated with the brand, they have become a staple within its performance options in the past ten years.
The brand has recently included electrification in its models as mild and plug-in hybrids. We travelled all the way to Barcelona, Spain, to join the rest of the international media to drive the GLC 63 S E Performance, the first performance hybrid SUV from the brand. Our primary objective was to ascertain whether the new drivetrain provides similar thrills to the outgoing V8, renowned for its brutal power delivery and wonderful soundtrack.
GLC 63 S E Performance drivetrain
The hybrid powertrain in the latest GLC comprises a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with an electric drive unit on the rear axle. The internal combustion engine produces an incredible 350kW/545Nm, making it the earth’s most powerful 2.0-litre four-cylinder production engine. The engine is combined with an MCT-9G transmission and a 150kW electric motor for a combined output of 500kW and 1 020Nm of torque sent to all four wheels. This means that despite an over 2.2-ton kerb weight, the new model will reach 100km/h in 3.5 seconds and go on to a limited top speed of 285km/h.
Electronic goodies
There’s a lot of weight in a relatively tall and long package here, so if it’s going to be engaging to drive, some clever electronics need to be in place. In the GLC, these come in the form of an all-wheel steering system, an innovative electric exhaust-gas turbocharger, a 48-volt on-board sub-network to power the AMG Active Ride Control active roll stabilisation system and an electronically controlled rear limited-slip differential.
The battery
The battery in the GLC is a 6.1kWh unit with 80 kW continuous power and 150 kW peak power. Charging occurs via recuperation or the installed 3.7 kW onboard charger with alternating current at a charging station, wall box or domestic socket. The battery is designed for fast power delivery and draw, not for the longest possible range. The all-electric range of 12 kilometres is reasonable, particularly when negotiating the daily commute.
Driving GLC
Upon arrival in Spain, we were greeted by a fleet of the brand’s latest fast GLC models. We signed up for our driving experience and began acclimatising to driving a left-hand drive vehicle on the stunningly well-maintained local roads. The first section of the journey allowed us to experience the GLC in low-speed and highway driving scenarios. There are several driving modes to choose from, but in this scenario, I flicked between Electric and Comfort mode, where the car felt like a slightly firmer version of a regular GLC, albeit with bucket seats, an AMG-specific steering wheel and various AMG functions built into the MBUX infotainment system.
It was only when we got out of the city and were introduced to some mountain passes that I ventured into Sport, Sport+ and Race modes, which instantaneously changes the entire character of the car. The steering firms up, as does the suspension, while the sound being pumped into the cabin, whether artificial or natural, is amplified as an electric and turbocharged four-cylinder symphony of sorts.
I was surprised, not only by how fast this car is in a straight line but by how flat and low it feels in corners, a symptom of that electric anti-rollbar, some sophisticated damping and, when required, some large brakes, bringing it to a stop effectively. During faster sweeps and certain low-speed corners, its willingness to turn in and rotate reminded me of a certain SUV from another German brand which I also hold in high regard. The distribution of powertrain elements weight has also helped with the car’s dynamic balance, with more weight towards the rear of the vehicle, helping to explain how and why the GLC can offer grin-inducing oversteer.
While the V8 model that this car replaces had a unique, brutish character, which was befitting of a vehicle of this type, the nature of the new model is entirely different. It’s more serious, more of a point-to-point performance car, which makes it seem a bit disjointed; however, it just somehow works that a relatively big car that looks ready for the school run can also carve up a mountain pass.
Verdict
As a genre, the performance SUV is still difficult to understand; however, as products like the latest GLC become faster and more impressive in ride, handling, braking and engagement, they make more sense as the spiritual successors to the performance saloon. As the latest, locally-produced C63 shares its mechanicals with this GLC, we’re excited to experience it, considering it is lighter and lower!
I’m not sure I like the performance SUV concept in principle, but there’s no denying the efficacy and impressive performance of AMG’s latest creation. We’ll miss the V8, certainly, but in its place, we have something new, more effective as a performance tool, and less charismatic, too. We’ll go more in-depth with this model when it arrives on local shores.
Local availability
The GLC 63 S E Performance will be coming to South Africa early in 2024, and the local pricing and specifications will be announced closer to its local introduction.
Keyword: First ever hybrid Mercedes-AMG SUV driven!