Dusty Stars

You can take any Mercedes-Benz model with a ‘G’ in its name off the beaten track. GQ motoring editor Dieter Losskarn chose two from the GL range: the nimble GLC 63 S and the mighty GLS 580.

- Dieter Losskarn

MERCEDES-BENZ HAS INVESTED BILLIONS of Euros into a green future and plans to electrify more than 50 models before 2022. But, on the other hand, SUVs are booming – despite their size. At times like these, performance SUVs seem even more inappropriate, rather like Sumo-wrestlers turned-dancers, a paradox incarnate. But it’s so much fun to experience fierce sports car performance from a high vantage point.

IN 2016, MERCEDES-BENZ CHANGED its SUV nomenclature to more logical class names. The Mercs in heels are named: GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE and GLS, not forgetting the legendary granddaddy of them all, the ‘G’, which corresponds with A-, B-, C-, E- and S-Class sedans, coupés and convertibles.

Of the two we chose, let’s hop into the C-Class among SUVs first. The base GLC is the most popular Mercedes model. In its 63 S AMG guise, it’s more sports car than SUV, and the AM in front of the G means it loves gripping tarmac so much more than it does tackling loose dirt. This vehicle makes more sense on a racetrack, chasing better and better lap times than on corrugated dirt roads, which was why we looked for twisties on which to enjoy this powerful AMG. And some of the best curves in the Cape, with grippy, smooth tarmac are located between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi-Els, along 21km of the glorious, coastal Clarence Drive.