By David S. Wallens
Walking back to our Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E test car made me think that, just maybe, a modern AMG is a future car for me: plenty of performance, plenty of comfort and all in something that just has some presence.
One day, perhaps, could an AMG, like maybe even a slightly used Mercedes-AMG E63 S wagon, replace my M3? It would mean losing the clutch pedal, but look at the upside: all that power, all that comfort, all that presence. Maybe not everything has to be a Miata. Maybe going on the highway doesn’t always have to mean 4000 rpm.
[“You have to drive like everyone out there is trying to kill you.”]
This latest AMG, even though it sits higher than the old wagon, still delivers all that goodness. With a combined output rating of 671 horsepower along with 752 lb.-ft. of torque–all from a 2.0-liter inline-four–it’s certainly fast enough. The matching nine-speed automatic? It’ll read your mind.
Grip? All of it.
Brakes? Never even got close to making them sweat.
Are those really knock-off wheels?
And inside, it’s certainly comfortable enough. Two hours behind the wheel without a stop? We’re just getting going.
The price for all this? Only starting at $86,050 and, like our tester, seemingly loaded at $111,260. Seems high until you realize that you can spend almost that much on an Infiniti.
I’d love to see one change, though: Mercedes, please bring back some of the tactile knobs and switches. They were jewel-like, each clicking with authority. It sounds minor but it differentiated a Benz from the rest of the class.
The modern touch sliders? Just not the same–kinda like an Apple Watch compared to a classic Rolex.
Do that and maybe, once enough depreciation hits and/or I hit the lottery, we can talk.
