The 500 kW 1 020 N.m plug-in hybrid Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S E Performance dwarfs the on-paper performance of its 4,0-litre twin-turbo V8 predecessor. Our editor attended the international launch in Spain to find out whether or not it hit the mark.
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The automotive landscape is evolving at a wickedly rapid pace, with electrification becoming the name of the game across all brands. Mercedes-AMG, known for creating guttural, hooligan-like high-performance machines, has now embraced this change with its C63, S63, GT Four-door and now this, the electrified GLC63 S E Performance, the brand’s first AMG PHEV (plug-in hybrid) SUV.
It’s a remarkable fusion of engineering innovation, performance and the luxury we’ve come to expect from Mercedes while exterior design mirrors this trifecta. It combines brash SUV elements including a black-clad diffuser, with aggressive touches like the stout bulldog-like stance with a touch of elegance in the mix thanks to tasteful wheel and colour options. Either way you look at it, this AMG makes a bold statement on the road.
At the front, the familiar multi-slot ‘Panamericana’ grille proudly displays the iconic Three-Pointed Star with the AMG badge fitted on the bonnet, flanked by sleek, multi-faceted LED headlights; it’s unmistakeably a Mercedes. The aggressive lines on the bonnet are a pleasure to behold especially from behind the wheel. They flow seamlessly into the fenders, creating a sense of tension that few SUVs with sporting aspirations manage to pull off.
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The rear design is equally striking, with an extended spoiler, quad faux-exhaust tips, and a functional diffuser that aims to enhance aerodynamics while also looking the part. The slim LED taillights connect to form a continuous and noticable light bar, creating a signature look that’s easily recognisable and adds to the GLC’s sense of girth however; fake exhaust exits with the actual pea-shooters hidden behind irk diehard petrolheads like myself.
When it comes to on-paper performance, the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S E Performance doesn’t disappoint. It’s propelled by a potent combination of a 350 kW 2,0-litre turbocharged engine (the world’s most powerful 4-cylinder at the time of writing) and an electric motor on the rear axle that’ll provide a maximum of 150 kW for 10 seconds, delivering a staggering total of 500 kW and 1 020 N.m. The result? A 0-100 km/h time of just 3,5 seconds, making it one of the fastest SUVs on the market. For context, arguably the ultimate SUVs currently available the Lamborghini Urus Performante and Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT claim 3,2 and 3,3 seconds respectively for the same acceleration test. Although these cars are in a class above they will likely command a price far beyond that of the new AMG (local pricing is yet to be announced).
Step inside and you’ll enter an exceptionally modern cabin loaded with high-quality materials and the latest gadgets and gizmos Mercedes has to offer. These include plush bucket-leather seats, and the tablet-sized MBUX infotainment system makes the cabin a comfortable and high-tech space to spend time in. It has quite the wow factor, but does require a good amount of stationary time to learn how to access the basic settings and make the necessary adjustments, that you’d like, to suit your driving taste. Look past these bright, shiny, glitzy gimmicks and distractions and what lies beneath is nothing short of breathtaking (or nauseating, but more on that in a few).
On the road, what sets the GLC63 S E Performance apart is its ability to run in utter silence on pure electric power. With a, less than impressive, but certainly usable, claimed all-electric range of 12 km it’ll suffice for quiet and relaxed short commutes and inner-city driving.
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Despite its emphasised width and a kerb weight of 2 310 kg, the S E Performance manages to feel exceptionally nimble and responsive on the road, albeit deceptively so. Having eventually recovered from a 27-hour transit in cattle class where good sleep is near impossible the launch drive in Spain commenced and I settled into the experience of driving on the right-hand side of the road after about 30 minutes and 20km behind the wheel.
The GLC’s AMG Ride Control adaptive suspension uses anti-roll technology on the front and rear axles, adaptive dampers (not air suspension like that used in the S63), and rear-wheel steering. These all contribute to exceptionally adept handling, allowing the driver to confidently tackle both fast sweeping corners and tight narrow switchbacks.
This engineering marvel is wickedly fast from point to point, especially when driven on billiard-board-smooth serpentine Catalonian backroads. These roads resemble Varicose veins when viewed on Waze or Google Maps. The former app was used to keep a watch out for law enforcement as these roads were the best opportunity to explore the AMG SUVs’ talents. See my first drive video review here.
The steering is exceptionally sharp, and the electric power is immediate, so within the split second it takes for the 8-speed transmission to kick down while the electrically assisted turbocharger spools up, you’ve already rocked down the road at an alarming pace. Having seemingly teleported to the next corner, it’s time to slow the heavy GLC down, and this is where it falls a little short. The pedal becomes soft after just a handful of quick decelerations and does not inspire confidence when exploring the SUVs performance talent (optional carbon-ceramic items will be available after launch).
A vehicle this heavy (2 310 kg) on roads that smooth will understeer; it’s simple physics. If you enter a bend too quickly, it’ll unashamedly push straight on, and that’s something that an AMG-branded car simply shouldn’t do unless driven at eye-widening speeds on a race track.
Thankfully the whopping 390 mm 6-piston brakes had the opportunity to cool as for the first time, as an automotive reviewer, I made myself nauseous as the driver. The ferocious acceleration and physics-defying handling on the tight, narrow, and winding roads were the perfect recipe for a truly fun and memorable drive until it simply wasn’t any longer. This SUV will likely be used as a school-run blitz machine, and it’ll excel in this application thanks to a tremendous breadth of ability, and sensitive passengers, however, beware!
So then, the GLC63 S E Performance is a compelling blend of raw power, electrified efficiency (when driven sedately), and practicality. It caters to enthusiasts who refuse to compromise on performance while embracing a greener future. This is high praise, but, it feels as agile as an Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q and as ludicrously fast as a BMW XM.
I am unfortunately not convinced that this electrified experience is the compromise that dyed-in-the-wool AMG drivers are looking for. Its obviously synthetic exhaust/engine sound does not provide the theatre and character that an AMG owner expects when they have that rare opportunity on their favourite road and decide to flick the drive mode selector over to Sport Plus.
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Regardless of it being a mixed bag for diehard performance-car lovers it’s a promising glimpse of the automotive industry’s exciting future, and as an engineering marvel, it could happily give some far more expensive supercars and performance SUVs a real fright when bolting off the line.
I may not be fully won over by the complicated nature of the drivetrain as it feels like a game (you are disconnected from what’s truly happening beneath you and you know the car’s systems are keeping you on the road). The gruff four-pot is a devastating weapon, but it lacks a sense of humour with its contrived and perfectly timed noises and fake ignition cutting when on the rev limiter or red line on the digital instrument cluster. These are unceremoniously played through the speakers, but those who are concerned about upsetting the neighbours with noise pollution can rest easy.
With that, on first impressions, the new GLC makes its closest rivals, the BMW X3 Competition and aforementioned Alfa Romeo, seem pedestrian from A to B and as though they’re relics of the past in terms of tech. These performance SUVs are fun and characterful. In this day and age there is simply no substitute for this.
I cannot have anything more than deep respect for what Affalterbach’s engineers have achieved, yet few owners will reach even 75% of this AMG’s blistering performance potential. Was it worth losing its soul for all the drivetrain complications and innovative tech? Only time will tell but I’m not convinced.
FAST FACTS
o Price: TBC
o Powertrain: 2,0-litre turbocharged inline-four-cylinder, plug-in hybrid
o Transmission: 8-speed automatic
o Power: 500 kW
o Torque: 1 020 N.m
o Driven wheels: all
o 0-100 km/h: 3,5 seconds
o Top speed: 275 km/h
