Fewer cylinders, a lot more grunt. It’s all about changing times.

SLEDGEHAMMER versions of the Mercedes Benz GLC coupe have been unveiled and, as per script, the AMG editions work on the ‘more for less’ formula.

More power, that is: The most potent version, the AMG GLC 63 S, gets 500kW/1020Nm, while the AMG GLC 43 packs 314kW/500Nm. But, as is the way now and going forward, as per the C43 and C63 sedans that have yet to land here, all is being elicited through an electric-assisted four-cylinder powertrain. 

The fuel-fed part is the 2.0-litre turbo plucked from the AMG A45 S which, in that location, creates 350kW/545Nm in isolation.

For the GLCs, it combines with a plug-in hybrid module in the ’63’ and a mild-hybrid system in the ’43’, to make so much more phwoar.

As they need to. This new powertrain consigns to history two greats; a snarly V8 and growly V6. Hard acts to follow? The outgoing turbocharged units were great for a sound check, but in terms of sheer stomp, they are much tamer to what’s coming there, likely around mid-2024: The old ’63’, for instance, had 375kW/700Nm. 

In this new era, capacity is countered by compact cleverness. Mercedes claims the unit has drawn from tech used by the Mercedes-AMG F1 team.

The 63’s M139-L engine achieves a compound electric-gas turbocharger, which uses a teensy 4cm-diameter electric motor strapped to the turbo's input shaft, which spins up the impeller to help avoid any wait-and-wait turbo lag. Once the electric bit has the turbo up to speed, the more conventional exhaust-gas-driven side takes over. 

It's super smart and Mercedes says it's the only such system currently in production. There's even an anti-lag system where when the driver eases off the accelerator or brakes, the technology can maintain the boost pressure at all times. It's all driven by a 48-volt electric system.

That’s just the engine. Mounted to the rear axle is a 152kW electric motor, which gets its own discrete, two-speed transmission. Fed by a 6.1kW battery sited above it, that motor acts directly on the rear wheels for maximum response time, but it can also turn the front wheels, if needed, through a complex driveshaft system.

The battery can be mains-replenished and lends some electric-pure driving. But very little: A mere 12km range. The point is more grunt - 1020Nm of torque combined, thanks to the battery's continuous 80kW output and its ability to 'sprint' at 150kW for 10 seconds at a time. 

The maker promises zero to 100kmh in 3.5 seconds - so, not just a 0.3s improvement on the V8 but also quicker than a Tesla Model Y Performance - and a top speed of 275kmh.

The AMG GLC 43 4MATIC isn’t as ferocious, but it also has bite: Zero-100kmh in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 250kmh. The 43 is a mild hybrid with a 48-volt electrical system and a compact electric motor that can boost power and torque by 10kW when needed.

Both types have a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with both a fuel-saving coasting function and a non-fuel-saving Race Start launch control function. The 43 gets a rear-biased four-wheel drive setup (69 per cent of the power goes to the rears), while the 63 S gets a fully-variable four-wheel drive system.

AMG Dynamic Select system spans both. This allows a driver to choose driving modes and fine tune the car's steering, ride, and engine response. Both also get adaptive dampers, and active roll control. There's also three-stage AMG speed-sensitive power steering with active rear-axle steer, which turns the back wheels at up to 2.5 degrees.

The 43 has internally ventilated and perforated brake discs measuring 370 x 36 millimetres with four-piston fixed calipers mounted on the front axle and 360 x 26 millimetres at the rear with one-piston floating calipers.

63 S snares the AMG high-performance composite brake system with six-piston fixed calipers at the front (with internally ventilated and perforated brake discs 390 x 36 mm) and one-piston floating calipers at the rear (with internally ventilated and perforated brake discs 370 x 26 mm).

Both achieve the requisite AMG body kits with the 'Panamericana' grille and chunky alloy wheels of up to 21-inch diameter. e 'Night Pack' and a 'Carbon Pack’ options respectively turn all the exterior chrome to black or carbon fibre. 

As per standard practice, there’s an Edition 1 launch model with black and carbon-fibre exterior trim packages, silver or grey matte exterior paint, an aerodynamic body kit, and yellow interior accents.

The cabin fitout in either is heavy on Nappa leather and carbon-fibre trim, AMG-specific graphics and menus for the digital instruments and infotainment screens. 

The 63 S also gets a racing-car-style telemetry system which logs more than 80 different data points so you can analyse your track-day driving. Because, obviously, that’s the place to take a two tonne SUV.