As you're well aware, Mercedes dropped six- and eight-cylinder powertrains from the GLC with the second generation of the luxury sport utility vehicle. Four-cylinder lumps will have to suffice, even for the go-faster 43 series and the no-nonsense 63.
The video below doesn't star a thoroughbred AMG with a hand-built engine, but rather the fairly sensible 300e. Marketed as the 350e in the United States, the plug-in hybrid crossover combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged mill with a 134-horsepower electric drive unit. Said motor develops a massive 325 pound-feet (440 Nm) of torque, with system total output being 313 hp and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm).
Tipping the scales at 2,413 kilograms (5,320 pounds) in Euro specification, the GLC 300e is much obliged to race a direct rival over the quarter mile to see which is quicker in PHEV and EV modes. The Volvo XC60 is much older in terms of everything, for it rolled out in 2017 for the 2018 model year. The T6 Recharge stands for turbocharged inline-four engine and plug-in assistance in the form of a torquey electric motor connected to an 18.8-kWh battery as opposed to 31.2 kilowatt hours for the German challenger.
The smaller battery results in less curb weight for the Swedish crossover, namely 2,212 kilograms (4,877 pounds). The XC60 T6 Recharge further differs from the Mercedes in terms of drivetrain and chassis technology. Based on a front-biased platform, the Volvo uses an eight-speed automatic developed for transverse applications. By comparison, the GLC 300e has the 9G-TRONIC.
Be that as it may, the Volvo is the punchier vehicle in both power and torque. Combined with the lower weight, one has to wonder if the GLC 300e stands a chance against it. E-Drive Sweden clocked a respectable 14.33 seconds in the Merc, with the stint from zero to 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) taking 6.46 seconds, according to the Dragy.
Photo: E-Drive Sweden on YouTube
How did the XC60 T6 Recharge do? The second of three dig races ended with the Dragy recording 13.34 and 5.35 seconds, respectively, in the Volvo. The folks at E-Drive Sweden also raced them in electric mode. Although the Merc's electric motor develops a bit more torque, the Volvo catches up by the end of the quarter mile, crossing the line in first place, claiming a total of three victories on the trot.
Rather than criticizing the Stuttgart-based company for designing a slower plug-in hybrid sport utility vehicle, bear in mind that nobody would look at the GLC 300e and think, "Yes, now that's a sporty crossover!" We also have to remember that Volvo doesn't offer a hi-po version of the XC60 à la the GLC 63, partly because Geely turned Polestar into a standalone brand a few years back. With poor results, if yours truly may also add.
Just under three months ago, Volvo distributed 62.7 percent of its shares in Polestar through a 2:1 share split and an automatic share redemption process. Chinese automaker Geely pledged support for the ailing marque, but only time will tell if Polestar will be watered down even more under Geely's control.
The German colossus, on the other hand, is doing alright. In addition to strong cash flow, the most important key financial figure for the Mercedes-Benz Group in the first quarter of 2024 is €3 billion worth of net profit. Vehicle sales, meanwhile, totaled 462,978 for the Mercedes-Benz Cars division and 105,425 for Mercedes-Benz Vans.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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