Step inside the properly low mounted drivers seat and the AMG sports bucket seats make you aware of your growing girth. The bolsters are aggressive and a reminder that you can carry some serious G’s through a corner behind the wheel of this car. You touch upon the partially alcantara-clad steering wheel and you realize that it’s all new too. Plucked from more expensive AMGs, the twin stalks with capacitive controls are a bit of a hit or miss, but the dials that offer quick changes to drive modes, suspension and exhaust tuning are fantastic to use on the move. Tactile and with a visual representation of the changes, it’s a lovely bit of tech designed to make life easier. The same, unfortunately, cannot be said for the capacitive panels that control the infotainment screen and all its navigation. The touch surface area is too small and the hit rate is low, making it easier to just prod the touchscreen with your fingers and get the job done faster.
Sure, they’re easier to clean and look futuristic, but they aren’t for everyone.
The MBUX though is as slick and easy to use as ever. With plenty of customisable display modes, you can have a driver display that best suits your mood and driving style. Amongst the drive modes, you have the usual comfort, sport, sport plus and track, there’s a very useful individual mode that allows you to savour the pops and crackles from the exhaust while keeping suspension in comfort mode and the engine in sport. It gives you complete flexibility and comes in really handy while pottering around in the city while enjoying all the aural drama.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as wireless charging work smoothly and there are USB-C ports all around too.