Mercedes’ AMG fashions have historically been loud, blunt-force objects. They might usually be discovered going sideways or spewing tire smoke. Occasions have modified.

However issues at AMG are getting sophisticated because the electrified period comes on-line. The newest AMGs are exact efficiency machines that not reward hamfisted driving. The plug-in hybrid 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency will convey such a chilly, technical precision when it arrives within the U.S. within the second half of 2024.

After spending time behind the wheel of an early construct Euro-spec GLC 63 S E Efficiency (let’s simply name it the GLC 63 S for now, we could?) in Barcelona, Spain, a part of me misses the V-8, half type of loves this plug-in hybrid stepping stone, and half is able to skip straight to the totally electrical future.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

GLC says goodbye V-8, hi there sophisticated hybrid turbo-4

The dual-turbo V-8’s gone. RIP. Below the hood of the GLC 63 S sits a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that makes 469 hp and 404 lb-ft of torque hooked to a 9-speed computerized transmission with a moist clutch. That turbocharger first spools up off of energy from the high-voltage battery’s 400-volt electrical system after which the exhaust gasses take over. It’s straight Formulation 1 tech. There’s additionally a 201-hp electrical motor within the rear packaged with a 2-speed transmission and a limited-slip differential in a single housing. The motor is powered by a 6.1-kwh battery developed by the wizards at AMG. It’s the very same powertrain discovered within the C 63 S E Efficiency sedan.

All in, the system develops a whopping 671 hp and 752 lb-ft. As I’ll quickly see, that energy is powerful.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

GLC 63 S E Efficiency has a number of personalities

Pushing the beginning button on the GLC 63 S’s dashboard brings the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 11.9-inch touchscreen to life, however except for some buzzing from the powertrain’s followers you wouldn’t know this factor was operating. 

Pulling out of the lodge’s car parking zone in Consolation mode with a virtually totally charged battery, the gasoline engine doesn’t hearth to life. The GLC begins emitting a faint Starship Enterprise-type noise from an exterior-mounted speaker. It suits with the gauge cluster’s Sport mode’s design theme, which options laser-like strains that shoot out on both aspect of the digital velocity readout as should you’re coming into warp velocity. 

Pushing the thin pedal all the way down to the three quarter level kicks on the turbo-4, and energy hits rapidly due to how rapidly the turbocharger spools up. Turbo lag is seemingly a factor of the previous. Whoops. Brakes, now! This can be a metropolis middle.

As I head onto the freeway I mash the accelerator to the ground, blowing previous a detent about 90% of the best way by way of the pedal journey. The complete pressure of 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque shoots the matte silver AMG ahead and I rapidly understand, “I don’t wish to go to jail in Spain.” I decelerate, however this factor is fast. Mercedes mentioned it launches from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds and is ruled to prime out at 171 mph. My butt dyno says the 0-60 mph time appears correct, however I’m sensible sufficient to not check the highest velocity.

Cruising alongside the freeway in Consolation mode, the GLC 63 is quiet regardless of the turbo-4 operating within the backgrounder. There’s the fainest thrum from the sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, however the pavement is far smoother than the damaged stuff in America. Little wind noise makes its method into the cabin, and the adaptive dampers and air suspension present a relaxed experience.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

Turning off the freeway onto slim two-lane nation roads, I flick the spherical knob on the steering wheel to Sport mode. The transmission kicks down a gear or two and the suspension companies up a bit. With the short character change, the silver AMG is able to carve corners, however I’m impatient. After just a few turns  I encounter a small white automotive going beneath the velocity restrict, which is simply unacceptable.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

Flicking the drive mode selector into Sport+, the powertrain is cranked to 9, as a result of 11 is saved for Race mode, however that may be extreme for passing an financial system automotive on a two-lane street. I cross the gradual poke rapidly, and the GLC’s steering gels with me. It’s exact, properly weighted, and whereas not telepathic, it’s communicative. 

Mercedes pulls out all of the methods to make the GLC 63 S E Efficiency agile. Rear-wheel steering is commonplace. Below 62 mph, the rear wheels flip the other way because the fronts as much as 2.5 levels ,whereas over that velocity the rear wheels flip parallel with the fronts as much as 0.7 diploma. Mixed with AMG’s tuning of the adaptive dampers and air suspension, together with the electromechanical stabilizer bars that may regulate on the fly to battle physique lean, this heavy beast is shockingly composed round corners. Mercedes gained’t say how a lot it weighs but, but it surely’s not mild. It’s definitely greater than the 4,654-pound C63 S E Efficiency, which itself gained 780 kilos over the outgoing V-8-powered mannequin. Anticipate one thing related right here when last specs are launched.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

GLC 63 S E Efficiency is sophisticated

The brakes are the low level of the automotive’s dynamics. The system combines friction and regenerative braking always, and its tuning lacks chew. Whereas the brake pedal is progressive in its stress and stopping energy, I discover no exhausting chew at any level by way of the pedal journey. It’s a picket feeling that makes it exhausting to encourage confidence regardless of realizing the brakes are sturdy. The usual brakes are 15.4-inch entrance and 14.6-inch rear rotors paired with 6-piston fastened entrance and 1-piston floating rear calipers. 

Mercedes USA spokesperson Michael Minielly confirmed to Motor Authority that carbon-ceramic brakes shall be an possibility, although not at launch. That improve may clear up the issue, relying on the system calibration.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

The GLC 63’s regenerative braking ranges may be modified, however I can’t work out how throughout my preliminary drive. Hours later I ask AMG’s Director of Car Improvement Steffen Jastrow how you can change them. He faucets the little spherical display screen on the steering-wheel mounted drive mode selector and the graphic adjustments from the present drive mode setting to a battery with an arrow circling it. I didn’t know that this display screen is definitely a button.

I head out to play with the regenerative braking system, however Steffen warns me, “the battery is sort of totally charged up, so that you gained’t have the ability to go to stage 4. There’s an excessive amount of juice within the pack.”

I flip the drive mode selector to EL for Electrical Mode. The Starship Enterprise noise is again. When you mash the accelerator to the ground, even in electric-only mode, the engine will hearth. The turbo-4 powertrain sounds…high quality. It has a gruffness that matches with the AMG model. I rapidly run the battery all the way down to the midway level, which permits me to crank the regenerative braking to Degree 4. Observe: It’s truly stage three on the display screen, AMG counts 0 as the primary stage, which is bizarre and complicated.

Steffen mentioned Degree 4 would allow one-pedal driving. It doesn’t. Regenerative brake drag turns into noticeable and slows the GLC down as if the brakes had been partially engaged, but it surely doesn’t convey the GLC 63 to an entire cease. I’m able to gradual the GLC to three mph, but it surely simply retains rolling. Degree 0 provides no additional pull, whereas Degree 1 is barely noticeable. It’s most likely the extent most individuals ought to use every day, because it’ll recharge the battery faster however doesn’t actually intrude on each day driving. Ranges 2 and three really feel like a bizarre center floor and don’t appear to make sense.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

GLC 63 S E Efficiency emphasizes efficiency over effectivity

Whereas we all know the battery measurement, Mercedes isn’t prepared to speak about how lengthy the GLC 63 S E Efficiency will take to cost. It may possibly’t be that lengthy on a Degree 2 240-volt charger given the 6.1-kwh pack.

That pack measurement additionally severely limits how far the GLC may be pushed on electrical energy alone earlier than firing up the gasoline engine. Steffen mentioned the European-spec automobiles we drove have an all-electric driving vary of 12 km, which is 7.5 miles. However that’s measured on the European WLTP effectivity cycle, which is kinder than the U.S.’s EPA cycle. It would solely have about 5 miles of electric-only vary as measured right here.

That pack likes to maintain its vitality stage between 20% and 95%. In sure conditions, notably whereas sitting in a car parking zone “idling,” the system will let the battery discharge all the way down to 10%, however no much less. Steffen mentioned the system retains a reserve to make sure there’s full energy at any given time when the accelerator is put to the ground. Above 95% the system will shed vitality to the rear motor to make sure there’s room for recuperation from the braking system.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

GLC 63 S E Efficiency AMG-ifies the inside

The inside of the GLC 63 S E Efficiency from the B-pillar ahead is basically lifted out of the C-Class sedan. Aft of the B-pillars it’s a GLC with finer supplies. Up entrance, it has a pair of sport bucket seats with electronically adjustable bolsters that may give some love to like handles. My common construct suits completely. Every thing’s lined in nappa leather-based, suede, shiny piano black plastic, silver trim, and/or carbon fiber. It’s a welcoming, high-quality, and sporty surroundings, although the piano black plastic will finally get scratched up. The show graphics are AMG-specific, however they’ll really feel acquainted, as will the controls, or what’s left of them, to anybody who’s been in a latest Mercedes product.

Mercedes hasn’t mentioned how a lot the 2025 GLC 63 S E Efficiency will value, however count on a value hike over the $85,000 of the final mannequin due to that costly powertrain. F1-tech isn’t low-cost.

All through my time with the GLC 63 S Efficiency, conflicting ideas stored operating by way of my head. My fundamental thought was, “that is each nice and simply so overly sophisticated.” That naturally led to, “man, I type of miss the V-8,” adopted by “why aren’t we simply skipping straight to the electrical future?” The longer term could also be good or unhealthy, however for now, , I’ll get pleasure from this stepping stone on the journey.

Mercedes-Benz paid for journey and lodging, which included sketchy wifi, to convey you this firsthand report.