Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E-Performance: The better choice

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Sedan or SUV? It’s a basic decision everyone has to make before buying a car. In the case of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E-Performance, the same powertrain in the C 63 SE Performance Sedan was not entirely convincing. At the time, we complained that the transmission sometimes did not always find the right gear, and that the incompatible interaction caused annoying jerks. To get straight to the point: AMG took this criticism seriously and revised the transmission. The drive in the electric SUV now works smoothly and appears to be made of one piece. In terms of driving, the new crossover seems like a better choice.

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On the top of it. Unlike the sedan, the GLC has active electromechanical 48-volt roll stabilization. Mercedes technicians use them to make the car more agile and at the same time achieve a more natural behavior of the body. Depending on the driving mode, the system becomes stiff or not. Thus, in comfort-oriented settings, the body leans more during fast bends than in sporty, dynamic settings. “We let it roll a little bit so the driver can feel the car,” explains driving dynamics expert Kevin Berger. At the rear axle, a more rigid roll stabilization system combined with all-wheel drive and rear axle steering that turns the wheels by a maximum of 2.5 degrees supports rear end rotation.

In fact, the 2,310-kilogram AMG powerhouse grips corners quite nimbly without the rear end wasting too much of its own life, resulting in an incongruous driving behavior. Axle load distribution of 49 to 51 percent at the front (previous version 55 to 45) and rear axle steering that rotates the wheels by a maximum of 2.5 degrees help neutral driving behavior. The significantly lower weight of the four-cylinder engine compared to an eight-cylinder engine is also noticeable when turning. The front end follows steering inputs with ease, and even in tight corners the front wheels struggle to gain traction.

No lack of power

The steering operates precisely without being too direct from the center position. This contributes to comfortable driving on the highway. However, the steering could feel a little less synthetic. As is often the case when recuperation and analog deceleration need to be reconciled, the braking force cannot be adjusted perfectly.

AMG doesn’t lack for power. The powertrain consists of a 476 hp (350 kW) four-cylinder gasoline engine at the front axle, a 204 hp (150 kW) electric motor at the rear, a battery with a capacity of 6.1 kilowatt hours (4.8 kWh net) and 204 hp (150 kW) at the rear axle. It consists of an electric motor. nine-speed -Automatic. The drive unit is the same as that of the C63 AMG sedan and also offers a system output of 680 hp (500 kW) and a massive maximum torque of 1050 Nm. This means the SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 275 km/h. AMG states consumption as 7.5 lt/100 km.

I wish you a concert in driving modes

The distribution of duties in the AMG GLC is the same as in the sedan. The primary purpose of the electric motor is to support the gasoline engine so that progress is as dynamic as possible. That’s why the all-electric range is only 12 kilometers. But this is still enough to get out of the residential area quietly and economically. However, the fact that the on-board charger can only charge with 3.7 kW is not suitable for an AMG vehicle with high technology. It offers four levels of recovery, such as SUV and sedan, so you can recharge while driving if necessary.

The driver can also choose from eight driving programs. In race mode, the system charges the battery as quickly as possible so that additional electrical power is always available. As is typical with AMG, other settings, such as the selection of the desired drive program and the strength of the recuperation, are made using the two rotary buttons on the steering wheel. You can quickly find your way around the Mercedes infotainment system, although the AMG version is sometimes a little more colorful. This also applies to the price of the AMG GLC 63 S E-Performance, which starts at 142,900 francs.

Source: Blick