Electrification, battery packs, investments of billions of Euro into a green future, and Mercedes-Benz wants to electrify more than 50 models until 2022. But on the other hand SUVs are booming. Despite their size. In times like this performance SUVs seem to be even more inappropriate. They are like Sumo wrestlers turned dancers – a paradox incarnate. But to be honest, it is so much fun to experience fierce sportscar performance, while sitting higher up, in a comfortable car. In 2016 Mercedes-Benz changed their SUV nomenclature to more logical class names. The Mercs in heels are since called: GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE & GLS – not to forget the legendary grand-daddy of them all, the ‘G’. Corresponding with A-, B-, C-, E- and S-Class sedans, coupés and convertibles.

I picked two of them. Let’s hop into the C-Class among SUVs first. The base GLC is the most popular Mercedes model. In its 63 S AMG guise, it is more sportscar than SUV, and the AM in front of the G makes it love grippy tarmac so much more than loose dirt. This vehicle makes more sense on a racetrack, chasing better and better lap times, then on corrugated dirt roads. The reason, why I looked for some twisties 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 Rooiels, along 21 kilometres of glorious, coastal Clarence Drive.

The power and strength of the 4.0-l. V8 is impressive. The 375kW have no problem whatsoever with the SUV’s weight. Chunky like a G, supple like a C. The GLC 63 S AMG brings 350kg more to the scale than the C 63 AMG, but the performance figures are still the same! I love the bubbling on downshift, and the rumble, while accelerating out of those tight turns. And with the exhaust flaps open, activated by a button in the middle console, the hottest GLC bellows impertinently. 3.8 seconds from 0 to 100km/h is clearly sportscar territory. It is not necessary to plant this much power into a compact SUV, but man, it is crazy, exhilarating fun.

The SUV’s road holding is exceptional, thanks to the many components the GLC received from the E 63, like the variable four-wheel drive system 4Matic+, resulting in easy controllable oversteer, and the E 63 rear axle and electronic rear differential. And even standing still you immediately realize, that this is no regular GLC. Starting with the impressive Panamericana grille from the AMG GT, to the bigger air intakes in front, the diffusor in the back and the four exhaust end pipes. The wheel arches are significantly wider, to fit up to 21inch tyres. Not to forget, that the GLC I am in is the sexier Coupé version. As mentioned before, I didn’t make this one dirty.