NEW MERCEDES GLC 63 S E

It’s a huge step-change, replacing a bi-turbo V8 with a plug-in hybrid four tuned to the extremes, but it works incredibly well. Like us, you knew it would do the business because of how many runs Mercedes has on the board at the pinnacle of motorsport. It has been a star of F1’s hybrid era.

The GLC is certainly no lightweight, especially when kitted out this handsomely, but potential acceleration is nothing short of ferocious, if you need it to be. Expect to be shocked that a four-cylinder engine (albeit with a big electric helping hand) can produce so much torque and such a grunty soundtrack. Intoxicating? No, it’s not a normally aspirated V8 but it’s not without a character of its own. And the genuine bonus is this performance SUV can move away and arrive in complete silence with 13km of EV running potential between points A and B. What’s more, in sporty modes, the GLC 63 S E is eagerly harvesting energy and recharging itself for the next astonishing blast.

In everyday driving, efficiency gains are immediately apparent. Claimed fuel consumpion is a remarkable 7.3L/100km. Previous headline acts from AMG would be visiting the fuel station much more frequently. An ICE that’s half the size and a performance-boosting 6.1kWh battery mean the fuel gauge moves slowly and overall range is on a par with that of mainstream SUVs.

This SUV appears a complex beast upon first acquaintance. But configuration options are only overwhelming if you try to digest the full range in a short timeframe. Crucially, the wheel-mounted dial for selecting performance modes (of which there are many) is straightforward to use and now includes B mode for maintaining charge level. At the other end of the spectrum, Track mode introduces the stiffest suspension settings, holds gears the longest, and creates maximum regen. On the right road or preferably an actual track, a kick-down button beneath the throttle promises a continuous boost of up to 150kW from the 400V electric motor.

If this all sounds as though it’s bordering on F1 territory, some of the tech plainly is. The nature of performance is motorsport-derived, and the wealth of settings and functions is getting up there. We’ll explore more of these on a track day soon, in a variety of four-cylinder AMGs, but it’s worth noting that you can disregard a great deal if you wish to just sit back, relax and simply deploy a superb device. At the end of the day, the GLC remains a beautifully appointed, cosseting SUV with sensible dimensions and sensible default modes. Now, more than ever, it has an appealing Jeckyl and Hyde personality.