It's a small world after all

The new Mercedes-AMG Coupe has a smaller engine. It's powerful, fast and loaded with tech. But it comes at a price

- HORMAZD SORABJEE

In an age when global warming is a reality and carbon dioxide is responsible for heating up the planet, the only way for the internal combustion engine to redeem itself is by becoming smaller and cleaner. Even high-performance cars, which thrive on big multi-cylinder engines, have downsized. The 12-cylinder engine is almost extinct, V8s are a dying breed, and six cylinders are giving way to four.

So, what does going small mean and how does it affect the performance and character of a sportscar or SUV? That's the question I was expecting to be answered as I slipped into the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe, which has a smaller engine than before.

Its 2.0 litre, four-cylinder engine replaces the 3.0litre V6 in the previous model.

Does that make it any less powerful? The Formula 1 tech has actually boosted power to 412hp, up from 390, though torque has dropped to 500Nm from 520.