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AUTO REVIEW

2019 MERCEDES GLC AMG 63 Coupe

By Stephen Schutz, MD

We have apparently reached an inflection point. Electric cars bustion engines feature ever increasing fuel efficiency and horse-
are not only inevitable, but they stand ready, like barbarians at the power coupled with emissions that drop every year. Today’s gaso-
gate, to upend our automotive lives, like right now. Ok, really later line powered internal combustion engines run the gamut from gas
this year and on into 2020 and beyond. But all automotive prog- sipping three cylinder units to the incredibly stout aforementioned
nosticators say that electric cars will replace internal combustion Hellcat V8. I believe there’s a lot of life left in these automotive
engines soon and forever. “dinosaurs.”
Or will they? I hate to be a party pooper, but I’ve noticed that Take the GLC AMG 63S Coupe I recently tested. This vehicle,
the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. is the thirsty non-electric Ford oddly named like a confirmation code, is actually a fastback GLC
F-150 pickup truck, extra thirsty 700-plus HP non-electric Hellcat stuffed with one of Mercedes’ most potent V8s. And it’s a blast
Challengers and Chargers are selling strongly, Toyota is having to drive.
trouble moving fuel sipping Priuses, and Chevy just discontinued But before we get to that, let’s take a moment to acknowledge a
the mostly electric Volt. reality of 2019 that I’ve addressed before: cars are dying and SUVs
One of the reasons I’m skeptical of an all-electric future hap- and crossovers are taking their place. It’s reality. In 2018, fully 70 per-
pening soon is that many modern cars powered by internal com- cent of passenger vehicles sold were SUVs or crossovers.

44 San Antonio Medicine • March 2019