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AMG could have a hybrid model on sale by 2020

European CO2 regulations are driving every carmaker to previously unthinkable solutions in order to reduce emissions. And so far those unthinkable solutions, like a turbocharged Ferrari, have been pretty good. AMG has its development eye on the year 2021, when EU regulations will include every car sold by Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler when calculating fleet average emissions, and says that the deadline could mean a hybrid AMG by 2020. Those are the words of the company's R&D boss, Thomas Weber, to Autocar. Weber says a hybrid system right now wouldn't work only because AMG customers "wouldn't buy it." In five years, though, not only will the pressure have forced the situation, but the low-six-figure segment might also be populated by heresies like a diesel and hybrid Bentleys, and a hybrid or electric Porsche 911, to break the ice. Acceptance is coming down from the top via supercars like the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918, and up from the bottom with the near-term incorporation of electric turbos and e-boost systems. And whenever the German challengers to Tesla arrive, that will be another huge step to changing the public's mind. E-boost is what Weber said the division is looking at right now, perhaps like the kind in Mercedes' Bluetec Hybrid that employs an innocuous battery and motor. Regenerative braking would keep the battery charged. Weber said he likes it because it's proven, it's light, it's cheap, and it's already used in high-volume applications. But we would not be surprised to see a more robust implementation by the time 2020 gets here.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC live from Germany

The introduction of the Mercedes-Benz GLC at Hugo Boss headquarters outside of Stuttgart was another step in the evolution of brand cohesion at the Three-Pointed Star. The twin philosophies reshaping the company's products are "Sensual Purity," the brand's design language, and "Modern Luxury," the umbrella term for its wood-and-technology approach to interior splendor and driver assistance systems. That meant the GLK, already a contrarian in the segment thanks to its "interesting" look and cozy cabin, was an outcast in Mercedes' own SUV lineup. The GLC fixes that, for those of you who thought it needed fixing. Gone are the sharp creases and angles inspired by the G-Class, replaced by a the curves dictated by brand purity. To this writer, it looks like a smaller version of the new GLE. Which makes this corporate exercise another in a line of good-looking-yet-less-distinctive successes. Less confrontational outside, the GLC is downright inviting inside. The cabin that impressed us in the C-Class is equally impressive here, particularly when optioned with the Designo leather and open-pore wood. The rear quarters feel roomier than the additional 1.3 inches in legroom would make you think, and it's the same with the three extra feet of cargo space – there's a lot of room behind the rear seats. One thing to note: the hybrid (which we won't get initially) loses a fraction of that extra room with a slightly higher load floor over the batteries. Although it makes less visual impression outside, the G-Class hasn't been forgotten here. The godfather of the lineup is the reason for stressing the GLC's off-road capability. We don't really believe the GLC will need to pass any off-road exams – at least, not on purpose – but that's not the point. By including such capability, Mercedes establishes a concrete connection with its war-tested and thoroughly badass SUV halo, a connection that none of its competitors can make save for Land Rover. On that subject, due to different regulations, the US-market GLC will have slightly different bumpers; instead of the 31-degree approach angle and 25-degree departure angle other markets get, our model will allow a maximum of 28 degrees front and back. Those numbers put in the same off-road playground as the Range Rover Evoque.

Mercedes-Maybach GLS Edition 100 layers on the opulence

The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Edition 100 was revealed yesterday, but it wasn’t the only new Maybach product to come out. No, in addition to the S-Class, Mercedes took the wraps off the Mercedes-Maybach GLS Edition 100. We didnÂ’t have the details for the SUV version right away, but we have them now. None of those details are all that surprising, though. The GLS Edition 100 is built to celebrate the same Maybach centennial milestone as the S-Class, and its appearance is essentially a copycat of the sedan. The one key difference versus the sedan is the number of cylinders under the hood. Mercedes puts its V12 in the S-Class, while the GLS soldiers on with the V8. Let the tears made of money flow for the lack of the additional four cylinders. At least everything else is largely equivalent. The GLS Edition 100 gets painted in the same Designo Crystal White and Silver Grey Pearl two-tone paint scheme. YouÂ’ll find the “Edition 100” Maybach logo on the D-pillar of the GLS. Plus, the logo makes another appearance on the stunning forged grey wheels. The interior of the GLS Edition 100 is also similar to the S-Class, in that itÂ’s finished with a special leather design that is also two-tone in nature with Crystal White and Silver Grey Pearl hides. Everybody who buys one of these Edition 100 cars gets a unique branded car cover and a special case meant to store keys and the carÂ’s paperwork. Pricing isnÂ’t detailed, but Mercedes says Edition 100 cars will be at dealers at the start of 2022 — orders will be taken in the fourth quarter of this year. Related video: