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

However issues at AMG are getting sophisticated because the electrified generation comes on-line. The newest AMGs are actual efficiency machines that now not praise hamfisted riding. The plug-in hybrid 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency will deliver this sort of chilly, technical precision when it arrives within the U.S. in the second one part of 2024.

After spending time at the back of the wheel of an early construct Euro-spec GLC 63 S E Efficiency (let’s simply name it the GLC 63 S for now, lets?) in Barcelona, Spain, a part of me misses the V-8, phase roughly loves this plug-in hybrid stepping stone, and phase is able to skip immediately to the absolutely electrical long run.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

GLC says good-bye V-8, hi sophisticated hybrid turbo-4

The dual-turbo V-8’s long gone. RIP. Underneath 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 automated transmission with a rainy snatch. That turbocharger first spools up off of energy from the high-voltage battery’s 400-volt electric gadget after which the exhaust gasses take over. It’s immediately 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 means of a 6.1-kwh battery advanced by means of the wizards at AMG. It’s the very same powertrain discovered within the C 63 S E Efficiency sedan.

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

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

GLC 63 S E Efficiency has more than one personalities

Pushing the beginning button at the GLC 63 S’s dashboard brings the 12.3-inch virtual gauge cluster and 11.9-inch touchscreen to lifestyles, however except some buzzing from the powertrain’s lovers you wouldn’t know this factor used to be working. 

Pulling out of the resort’s parking zone in Convenience mode with a just about absolutely charged battery, the gasoline engine doesn’t fireplace to lifestyles. The GLC begins emitting a faint Starship Endeavor-type noise from an exterior-mounted speaker. It suits with the gauge cluster’s Recreation mode’s design theme, which options laser-like traces that shoot out on each side of the virtual velocity readout as in the event you’re getting into warp velocity. 

Pushing the thin pedal right down to the 3 quarter level kicks at the turbo-4, and tool hits briefly because of how briefly the turbocharger spools up. Turbo lag is apparently a factor of the previous. Whoops. Brakes, now! This can be a town middle.

As I head onto the freeway I mash the accelerator to the ground, blowing previous a detent about 90% of the best way in the course of the pedal go back and forth. The total pressure of 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque shoots the matte silver AMG ahead and I briefly notice, “I don’t need to pass to prison 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 most sensible out at 171 mph. My butt dyno says the 0-60 mph time turns out correct, however I’m good sufficient to not take a look at the highest velocity.

Cruising alongside the freeway in Convenience mode, the GLC 63 is quiet regardless of the turbo-4 working within the backgrounder. There’s the fainest thrum from the sticky Michelin Pilot Recreation 4S tires, however the pavement is way smoother than the damaged stuff in The usa. Little wind noise makes its method into the cabin, and the adaptive dampers and air suspension supply a at ease journey.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

Turning off the freeway onto slender two-lane nation roads, I flick the spherical knob at the steerage wheel to Recreation mode. The transmission kicks down a tools or two and the suspension companies up a little bit. With the fast character trade, the silver AMG is able to carve corners, however I’m impatient. After a couple of turns  I stumble upon a small white automotive going beneath the rate prohibit, which is simply unacceptable.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

Flicking the pressure mode selector into Recreation+, the powertrain is cranked to 9, as a result of 11 is stored for Race mode, however that might be over the top for passing an economic system automotive on a two-lane street. I cross the sluggish poke briefly, and the GLC’s steerage gels with me. It’s actual, well weighted, and whilst now not telepathic, it’s communicative. 

Mercedes pulls out the entire tips to make the GLC 63 S E Efficiency agile. Rear-wheel steerage is usual. Underneath 62 mph, the rear wheels flip the other way because the fronts as much as 2.5 levels ,whilst over that velocity the rear wheels flip parallel with the fronts as much as 0.7 stage. Mixed with AMG’s tuning of the adaptive dampers and air suspension, at the side of the electromechanical stabilizer bars that may regulate at the fly to combat frame lean, this heavy beast is shockingly composed round corners. Mercedes gained’t say how a lot it weighs but, nevertheless it’s now not gentle. It’s surely greater than the 4,654-pound C63 S E Efficiency, which itself won 780 kilos over the outgoing V-8-powered style. Be expecting one thing an identical right here when ultimate specifications 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 auto’s dynamics. The gadget combines friction and regenerative braking always, and its tuning lacks chew. Whilst the brake pedal is revolutionary in its force and preventing energy, I to find no exhausting chew at any level in the course of the pedal go back and forth. It’s a picket feeling that makes it exhausting to encourage self assurance 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 mounted entrance and 1-piston floating rear calipers. 

Mercedes USA spokesperson Michael Minielly showed to Motor Authority that carbon-ceramic brakes will likely be an choice, even though now not at release. That improve may clear up the issue, relying at the gadget calibration.

2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S E Efficiency

The GLC 63’s regenerative braking ranges can also be modified, however I will be able to’t determine how all the way through my preliminary pressure. Hours later I ask AMG’s Director of Car Construction Steffen Jastrow how you can trade them. He faucets the little spherical display screen at the steering-wheel fixed pressure mode selector and the graphic adjustments from the present pressure mode environment to a battery with an arrow circling it. I didn’t know that this display screen is in fact a button.

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

I flip the pressure mode selector to EL for Electrical Mode. The Starship Endeavor noise is again. For those who mash the accelerator to the ground, even in electric-only mode, the engine will fireplace. The turbo-4 powertrain sounds…superb. It has a gruffness that matches with the AMG emblem. I briefly run the battery right down to the midway level, which permits me to crank the regenerative braking to Stage 4. Notice: It’s in fact stage 3 at the display screen, AMG counts 0 as the primary stage, which is bizarre and complicated.

Steffen mentioned Stage 4 would permit one-pedal riding. It doesn’t. Regenerative brake drag turns into noticeable and slows the GLC down as though the brakes have been partly engaged, nevertheless it doesn’t deliver the GLC 63 to a whole prevent. I’m able to sluggish the GLC to three mph, nevertheless it simply helps to keep rolling. Stage 0 provides no additional pull, whilst Stage 1 is simply noticeable. It’s most likely the extent most of the people will have to use each day, because it’ll recharge the battery faster however doesn’t actually intervene on day-to-day riding. Ranges 2 and three really feel like a unusual heart 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 potency

Whilst we all know the battery dimension, Mercedes isn’t able to speak about how lengthy the GLC 63 S E Efficiency will take to fee. It could’t be that lengthy on a Stage 2 240-volt charger given the 6.1-kwh pack.

That pack dimension additionally critically limits how a ways the GLC can also be pushed on electrical energy by myself sooner than firing up the gasoline engine. Steffen mentioned the Ecu-spec vehicles we drove have an all-electric riding vary of 12 km, which is 7.5 miles. However that’s measured at the Ecu WLTP potency cycle, which is kinder than the U.S.’s EPA cycle. It will solely have about 5 miles of electric-only vary as measured right here.

That pack loves to stay its power stage between 20% and 95%. In sure scenarios, significantly whilst sitting in a carpark “idling,” the gadget will let the battery discharge down to ten%, however no much less. Steffen mentioned the gadget helps to keep a reserve to make sure there’s complete energy at any given time when the accelerator is put to the ground. Above 95% the gadget will shed power to the rear motor to make sure there’s room for recuperation from the braking gadget.

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 inner

The inner of the GLC 63 S E Efficiency from the B-pillar ahead is basically lifted out of the C-Magnificence sedan. Aft of the B-pillars it’s a GLC with finer fabrics. Up entrance, it has a couple of game bucket seats with electronically adjustable bolsters that can give some love to like handles. My moderate construct suits completely. The whole thing’s coated in nappa leather-based, suede, glossy piano black plastic, silver trim, and/or carbon fiber. It’s a welcoming, top quality, and sporty surroundings, even though the piano black plastic will sooner or later 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 someone who’s been in a contemporary Mercedes product.

Mercedes hasn’t mentioned how a lot the 2025 GLC 63 S E Efficiency will value, however be expecting a value hike over the $85,000 of the closing style because of that pricey powertrain. F1-tech isn’t affordable.

All the way through my time with the GLC 63 S Efficiency, conflicting ideas saved working thru my head. My major idea used to be, “that is each nice and in order that overly sophisticated.” That naturally resulted in, “guy, I roughly leave out the V-8,” adopted by means of “why aren’t we simply skipping immediately to the electrical long run?” The longer term could also be excellent or unhealthy, however for now, , I’ll revel in this stepping stone at the adventure.

Mercedes-Benz paid for go back and forth and accommodation, which integrated sketchy wifi, to deliver you this firsthand file.