Mercedes-AMG GLC hybrid review finds love without romance

The latest generation Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Coupe incites love but it lacks romance in a vital area.

You’ll need at least $200,000 to park the Mercedes-Benz GLC 63 hybrid coupe in your driveway.

Press the start button and AMG enthusiasts will be in a state of shock.

The go-fast arm of Mercedes-Benz has built a reputation on thumping V8s with racing heritage.

Welcome to the modern performance car.

Inspired by Formula 1 technology, the new shining stars from AMG are powered by turbocharged four-cylinder engines with additional shunt from an electric motor.

This is the AMG hybrid. But cast aside any thoughts of a posh Prius. The Mercedes product is nothing short of scintillating.

Faster than their hairy-chested brethren of old, the latest incarnations have supercar-like ability yet with space for the whole family.

There are two versions of the Mercedes-AMG GLC, including the wagon for about $200k, but we sampled the more svelte coupe derivative that costs just shy of $210,000 once on-roads are settled.

What do you get?

The chiselled and chunky exterior is partnered with gigantic 21-inch alloy wheels shod with low-profile rubber and bright red brake calipers.

Sporting prowess shines throughout, from the compact multifunction steering wheel with AMG dials, figure-hugging heated front seats with electric adjustment, along with two-zone aircon, wireless phone charger, panoramic sunroof, a brilliant Burmester surround-sound system, giant head-up display and an equally large central touchscreen.

Mercedes’ standard five-year warranty applies, while deep pockets will be required to cover the servicing costs which are more than $7k for five maintenance visits to the dealer.

Cabin features of the Mercedes-Benz GLC 63.

How was the drive?

Proper Jekyll and Hyde at the fore.

Cruise quietly into the supermarket carpark, or turn the steering wheel dial up to Sport+ and the AMG GLC transforms from suburban runabout to savage SUV.

Under the bonnet is the most powerful four-cylinder engine ever produced by Mercedes-Benz – pumping out a respectable 350kW and 545Nm. But throw the electric prowess into the mix and those numbers jump to a whopping 500kW and 1020Nm.

That combination is good enough for 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds. It would pull your house off its foundations.

Technically a plug-in hybrid, the AMG GLC is not about penny-pinching fuel consumption. It’s all about performance.

The small battery can be replenished through braking and acceleration recuperation, as well as via a plug-in cord and charging through a standard household power point which takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes to replenish from near empty.

It will run on pure electric power for about 14km but that power is best used for unleashing the beast within.

Petrol and electric power combine to deliver 500kW and 1020Nm in the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe.

Happy to work up into the rev range, the slippery coupe’s steering gets heavier with velocity while the exhaust crackles and pops are also fed through the stereo system for added cabin enjoyment.

Rarely does it feel like you’re carrying more than 2.2 tonnes of weight as it handles bends, berms and directional changes with consummate ease.

Yet it’s the acceleration which will leave keen drivers salivating, delivering an initial surge and then another profanity-inspiring burst of power.

Use the comfort setting and collectively the sporting SUV does a solid job of soaking up the bumps, but a longer journey on some poor surfaces did generate reasonable road rumble. Easy highway travels saw us only manage to achieve average fuel consumption of 8.9L/100km, although our overall figure was 10 courtesy of some enthusiastic testing.

Boot space has been reduced in the AMG variants due to the added electrics, although we still managed a couple of suitcases, additional bags and an adult-size bike on one occasion courtesy of the 40-20-40 folding rear seat.

The coupe derivative of the Mercedes-AMG GLC.

Would you buy one?

Kel: If the bank balance allowed, without a doubt. Collectively I found it difficult to fault and I loved every aspect of the look and driving experience.

Grant: The experience left me torn. Having driven a raft of AMGs over the years, my heart rests with the old-school C63 with a heaving 6.2-litre V8 that heightened the senses and needed no engine soundtrack assistance. The latest drivetrain developments are brilliant, yet clinical. I loved the drive, but I missed the romance.