Automakers throughout the globe are nicely on their solution to electrifying their complete lineups, both transitioning to full BEV or hybridizing the remaining combustion choices. Mercedes-Benz is definitely no exception, and although the advantages of a clean experience and substantial gasoline effectivity provided by e-motors goes hand in hand with MB’s luxurious guarantees, it creates challenges for the efficiency facet of issues.
It’s a very tough path for AMG, the in-house efficiency division for Mercedes identified for making monsters out of an already power-packed lineup of vehicles. What does a model identified for brute pressure options do when the order of the day is “much less is extra?” It’s a query that hovers over the 2025 Mercedes AMG GLC63 S E Efficiency, a robust – if quirky – efficiency SUV that makes use of each trick in AMG’s e book to remain forward of the pack on its solution to full electrical efficiency.
Lightning In A Bottle
The most popular GLC63 makes use of M-B’s M139L engine, the identical unit present in AMG C63, distinctive in that it’s a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electronically assisted turbocharger. By itself, the four-banger can squeeze out a powerful 469 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque. On this automobile, AMG marries that powerplant to a plug-in hybrid system made up of a completely excited synchronous motor on the rear axle that may add round 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet to the combination.
Automobile math implies that the entire output of the US-spec variations of the AMG GLC cutting-into-my-word-count is anticipated to be round 671 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque. Put to full use, the GLC63 S E Efficiency can dash to 60 mph in about 3.4 seconds, in line with Mercedes-Benz, and tops out at an electronically-limited 171 mph.
This can be a setup that mirrors the one within the equally long-named C63 efficiency PHEV, although the hybrid system is unique to this automobile. The GLC’s 400-volt battery is designed for quick energy supply, a perform made potential by the battery’s modern cooling system. Every of the 560 cells is temperature-controlled individually to take care of consistency, a lesson discovered from the hybrid techniques of the model’s Formulation 1 vehicles. AMG hasn’t specified the all-electric vary obtainable, however the 6.1-kilowatt-hour capability of the battery and the predominance of the combustion engine signifies electrical mode is finest used for brief, gradual jaunts.
Whereas the e-motor impacts the rear axle straight, energy is in any other case routed to the AMG’s all-wheel-drive system by means of a multi-clutch nine-speed computerized transmission. This works in tandem with the energetic dampers and dynamic experience suspension, together with 2.5-degree rear-wheel steering, working to just about shorten the GLC’s wheelbase or so as to add elevated stability at pace.
The AMG GLC has eight pre-programmed settings that benefit from what the powertrain and dynamic experience suspension have to supply. The aforementioned electrical mode can be utilized conditionally at as much as 78 mph, whereas consolation splits the utilization for optimum effectivity. Battery maintain limits the e-motor’s utilization in favor of recharging the battery, and three efficiency modes improve the aggressiveness of the system’s output, together with different features. All techniques change steering, damping, throttle, and gearbox response in accordance with their ranges of consolation or sportiness, and they are often individually configured for the AMG GLC’s last setting.
Blinded Me With Science
This model of the GLC retains its modern but dense mid-size SUV stature, even with the AMG touches. The additional bits like a singular grille, air intakes, and rear diffuser panel don’t overwhelm the GLC’s streamlined seems to be. Even aero parts like a refined rear wing hold the SUV from wanting too wacky, although these limits could be pushed with sure gear packages. On the within the AMG sport seats and the choice to carbon fiber all of the issues hammer dwelling the AMG-ness of the GLC a bit extra, as does the AMG steering wheel with its multitude of capacitive inputs and performance dials.
Talking of tech, the AMG GLC is stuffed to the gills with all one of the best Mercedes-Benz gizmos. An 11.9-inch central touchscreen dominates the dashboard whereas the driving force additionally has a 12.3-inch gauge cluster at their disposal, together with a 3rd customizable head-up show, all of which is powered by the most recent MBUX working system. It makes for fairly a showcase of options nevertheless it stays an trade customary for distracting, overwrought UIs. Whereas voice instructions assist, there’s no getting across the quantity of animated graphics meant to point out off the system’s vibrancy that’s actually dazzling to behold and prioritized over ease of use.
Presumably the most important offender is the situation of this GLC’s brake regen swap. Whereas the EQ fashions make the most of the supply of vestigial steering wheel paddles, the hybrid GLC is pressured to cover this inside one of many AMG’s wheel-mounted driver setting dials. One faucet of the fitting button permits the driving force to set as much as three ranges of regenerative brake pressure, however good luck discovering that if you happen to don’t comprehend it’s there. These dials could be custom-made and all of their features could be accessed elsewhere in secondary menus, however this technique eluded us till I tracked down an engineer for assist, talking to the inside’s lack of intuitive performance.
Efficiency Discordance
Placing energy to the pavement on this iteration of the AMG GLC is efficient, although not with out compromise. Fireplace it up and the seams start to make themselves generally known as the sound of the miniature energy plant permeates the automobile. Although Mercedes has finished its finest in manipulating the engine notes, it will probably’t totally masks the churning of the two-liter. In reality, from the cabin, the processed sounds crib the identical assets because the engine-less EQ fashions, leading to a really unusual mixture of digital audio with analog sounds, not dissimilar to industrial techno.
I’m happening about this as a result of it is indicative of how the remainder of the AMG GLC looks like an unnatural amalgamation of sensations. It really works, typically fairly nicely, however the stitching varies in substance from system to system. Take the very coronary heart of this GLC for instance. The powertrain as a complete is one thing to be celebrated, beginning with the M139L engine. This alone is kind of a fabulous piece of labor and is likely one of the finer examples of motorsport-derived tech making its solution to superior client choices. Taking that and mixing it with an electrical motor on the rear axle and a 400V battery is the form of mad genius that will get us enthusiastic about efficiency automobile engineering.
In follow, it’s very fast to supply up the facility it guarantees. It’s not on the spot, and the driving force can really feel the e-motors at work to both spool up the engine’s induction or to make up for any lag, nevertheless it’s very fast. Spectacular for certain, nevertheless it isn’t seamless. For those who’re conscious of what’s happening behind the scenes, it’s much less jarring nevertheless it typically looks like watching a movie that randomly skips a body or two; it doesn’t wreck the expertise nevertheless it takes you out of it for a second.
Not serving to that is the shortage of a assist construction to actually make this attention-grabbing amalgamation shine. The nine-speed multi-clutch computerized transmission is usually effective, however stands out when the governing software program makes curious shifting selections. In both Consolation or Dynamic driving modes, the AMG GLC’s gearbox will draw consideration to itself with a “thunk” or two of engagement. Taking management with the paddle shifters will treatment this however the GLC will impatiently wrestle management again after a too-brief interval of not shifting.
Wood Sneakers
The weakest hyperlink within the chain is the AMG GLC’s brake system. Constructed for prime efficiency, the brakes clearly have the chops to deliver this speedy and hefty hybrid SUV to a cease when it counts, however the execution is off. Progressive as they might be, the brakes take a really deep and heavy foot to have interaction successfully. This can be a trouble when attempting to transition quickly from brake to throttle by means of a collection of turns, requiring the driving force to habitually brake a full second earlier than they usually would to compensate.
All advised it’s a group of techniques which might be barely out of sync with one another like a band with every member taking part in with completely different timing. Individually, they’re not dangerous however they’re merely not in live performance with one another. In the identical vein, these are points that appear like they could possibly be fixable with completely different calibrations to the brakes and tweaks to the software program, significantly for the reason that US fashions nonetheless have time to bake within the oven.
This additionally speaks to how a lot of the figurative and literal heavy lifting the suspension setup is doing. All through the drive, AMG’s experience management and energetic dampers are working to make the AMG GLC and whomever’s behind the wheel a star. Pair that with the roll stabilization and the rear wheel steering, and the GLC is imbued with a level of efficiency that makes it a worthy contender with its rivals within the section, significantly these by different German producers.
It Was A Smash
The AMG GLC63 S E Efficiency is a monstrous mixture of sufficient efficiency elements to make Frankenstein blush. It’s an intriguing mixture of efficiency tech that finally succeeds at its mission, however there’s the lingering suspicion that there ought to be a shorter path to the identical consequence. I’m not a efficiency automobile engineer, so take this remark with a grain of salt, it simply appears as if that is an train in what could possibly be finished moderately than what ought to be finished.
Powertrain apart, the GLC stays a modern, stout SUV, and the AMG glow-up is sufficient to add a contact of menace with out breaking apart the impression. It saves that for the inside with the brash however bolstered sport seats together with the standard racer-boi accents. With a mess of configuration settings, the chances are good that drivers will discover a setup that works for them, although the spongy brakes don’t encourage the boldness wanted to take full benefit of the GLC’s up to date energy and dealing with.
It’s a curious addition to the AMG household, and whereas the large soar energy and the benefits of an electrified system are compelling, it’s laborious to suss which clients are ready to leap into this iteration of the AMG GLC. They’ll have loads of time to consider it because the automobile doesn’t make its solution to the US by the tip of subsequent 12 months on the earliest, and there are many electrified choices to think about within the meantime.
Competitor Evaluations
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio: Not Rated BMW X3 M Competitors: Not Rated Land Rover Vary Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic: Not Rated