OFTEN you hear about brands that are ‘late to the party’; not so here – indeed, quite the contrary.

Mercedes has offered AMG versions of its sports utilities since 1999, so it was there at the start and knows the playlist backward.

Drive some AMG cars are you’d think this is a brand that has its head buried in the speakers as they blare sounds of past decades. Research what they’re preparing for the times ahead, however, and you’ll know that’s not true. Quite the contrary. These people accept electric-enhanced driving is coming, understand why it has to be and have signed off their plan.