Mercedes-benz GLC 63 S AMG and GLS 580

You can take any Mercedes-benz model with a ‘G’ in its name off the beaten track. GQ motoring editor Dieter Losskarn chose two from the GL range: the nimble GLC 63 S and the mighty GLS 580.

MERCEDES BENZ HAS INVESTED BILLIONS of Euros into a green future and plans to electrify more than 50 models before 2022. But, on the other hand, SUVS are booming – despite their size. At times like these, performance SUVS seem even more inappropriate, rather like Sumo-wrestlersturned-dancers, a paradox incarnate. But it’s so much fun to experience fierce sports car performance from a high vantage point.

IN ,MERCEDES BENZCHANGED its SUV nomenclature to more logical class names. e Mercs in heels are named: GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE and GLS, not forgetting the legendary granddaddy of them all, the ‘G’, which corresponds with A-, B-, C-, E- and S-class sedans, coupés and convertibles.

Of the two we chose, let’s hop into the C-class among SUVS rst. e base GLC is the most popular Mercedes model. In its 63 S AMG guise, it’s more sports car than SUV, and the AM in front of the G means it loves gripping tarmac so much more than it does tackling loose dirt. is vehicle makes more sense on a racetrack, chasing better and better lap times than on corrugated dirt roads, which was why we looked for twisties on which to enjoy this powerful AMG. And some of the best curves in the Cape, with grippy, smooth tarmac are located between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi-els, along

21km of the glorious, coastal Clarence Drive.

e power and strength of the

4.0-L. V8 is impressive. e 375kw have no problem whatsoever with the SUV’S weight. Chunky like a G, supple like a C, the GLC 63 S AMG weighs 350kg more than the

C 63 AMG, but the performance

gures are still the same! I love the bubbling sound on downshi ing and the rumble while accelerating out of tight turns. And with the exhaust

aps open, activated by a button in the middle console, the hottest GLC bellows impertinently. It goes from from

0 to 100km/h in

3.8 seconds, so it’s clearly in sports car territory. It’s not necessary to plant this much power into a compact SUV, but, man, it’s crazy, exhilarating fun.

e SUV’S road holding is exceptional, thanks to the many components the

GLC received from the E 63, such as the variable fourwheel drive system 4Matic+, resulting in easy-to-control oversteer, and its

E 63 rear axle and electronic rear di erential.

Even when standing still, you immediately realise that this is no regular GLC. Starting with its impressive Panamericana grille from the AMG GT to its substantial air intakes in front, the di usor in the back and the four exhaust end pipes. e wheel arches are signi cantly wider, to t up to 21-inch tyres, not forgetting the GLC I’m driving is the sexier coupé version.

I took its much bigger brother for a road trip over two of South Africa’s most adventurous gravel passes, Alfred and Swartberg. e third-generation GLS is more comfortable, luxurious and even larger than its predecessor, with more space for seven passengers. But it doesn’t look bulky at all anymore. It oozes elegance and sophistication. Especially in black, with its tinted rear windows. Its interior is a larger version of the S-class cabin. Cruising along the N2 towards the Garden Route and Karoo, I wouldn’t be surprised if typical S-class customers would regard the GLS as the superior passenger car compared to the S-class sedan.

Moving around in this massive, comfortable SUV as if it weighs nothing is thoroughly enjoyable. It’s incredible how this land yacht performs on windy roads. I doubt you need the GLS 63 a er experiencing this one. And you save almost a million Rand. Add the AMG line package (R69 000) and the beautiful black beast looks the part.

And o road? How did it handle those dusty, historic gravel mountain passes? In o -road mode, and thanks to its li able air suspension, both Alfred and Swartberg Pass didn’t pose any problems. It felt like taking our living room o the beaten track while Discovery Channel played outside.

e S-class among SUVS ironed out all the ruts and bumps, grunting with pleasure. Its 4.0-L. V8 engine, supported by EQ boost technology (see boxed text, is a gorgeous powerplant.

Verdict: big SUVS with mighty powerful V8s are fascinating technological marvels. Enjoy them as long they’re still around. Remember the dinosaurs?

‘It’s not necessary to plant this much power into a compact SUV, but, man, it’s crazy, exhilarating fun’

THE HYPED UP TAKE OVER of the electric car won’t happen anytime soon, especially in South Africa, where the charging infrastructure is rage-anxiety inducing. Plug-in hybrids were supposed to bridge the gap between internal combustion engines and pure electric mobility but didn’t catch on.

en, Bosch designed the

48-volt battery system. Many car manufacturers are using the technology in smaller but also larger engines – even in the AMG V8! As soon as you coast or brake, the system recuperates energy and recharges the battery. As with Formula One race cars, Mercedes-benz has perfected it in their passenger cars and SUVS, having named it the EQ hybrid system.

I rst experienced it in the E63 S AMG, and later in the

GLS 580, this mildhybrid system consisting of three components: a 48-volt lithium battery pack, stored either under the backseat or in the boot of the car, and a mild-hybrid starter generator, which replaces the regular alternator and starter motor and a low-voltage DC/AC converter. Mild hybrids have a regular 12-volt battery linked to the system by the DC/AC converter.

e 48-volt battery pack stores energy and supply it to the mild-hybrid system. ings like super-chargers, power steering, aircon, driver-assist programs and electric anti-roll bars, pumps, fans and more can all be powered o a 48-volt system without stressing the engine.

So, we’ll de nitely see more mild hybrids in the (long) transitional period between petrol and fully electric cars.

‘Things like superchargers and power steering can be powered off a mildhybrid system without stressing the engine’