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Car review

Fisker Ocean

The Fisker Ocean comes with a unique feature called ‘California mode’. With just a touch of a button, the car opens its sunroof and lowers seven of the eight panes in the glasshouse, giving you a near open-air driving experience without actually removing the roof. Another interesting feature is the car’s infotainment screen that can rotate to a landscape orientation when parked, allowing you to stream your favorite TV shows while waiting for the car to charge. These features may seem gimmicky but they add novelty to the overall experience.

However, Fisker hasn’t neglected the substance elsewhere. The company aimed to bring value to the family EV class with the Ocean, and it delivers on that front whether you opt for the entry-level or mid-level price.

In the UK, the mid-level, twin-motor, Ultra-spec model starts from just under £50,000. In comparison, competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y, BMW iX1, and Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD have higher starting prices ranging from £51,000 to £65,000. Despite the lower price, the Fisker Ocean offers 106kWh of usable battery capacity and up to 440 miles of WLTP-certified electric range. These figures are on par with more expensive electric vehicles like the Mercedes EQS.

During testing, the Fisker Ocean demonstrated its capability of achieving a range of 375-400 miles on a warm day, comprising a mix of urban, motorway, and country road driving. For those with on-street parking or apartment lifestyles, this car is convenient as it only requires charging once or twice a week. Fast charging is possible at up to 200kW using DC charging or at a nearby on-street AC charging post, making it a suitable option for those accustomed to traditional combustion-engine cars.

Car review

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4dr Coupe

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4dr Coupe offers a unique driving experience with its hybrid powertrain. When you start the car, you are greeted with a synthesised electric pulse, indicating that the hybrid system is ready. By default, the car operates quietly in electric mode, only engaging the powerful V8 engine when you select the driving mode.

The car is designed to be versatile, with a wide range of operating modes from Comfort and EL (electric) to Sport+, Race, and Drift. However, while the GT 63 S E Performance offers impressive dynamic capabilities, there are some compromises in its finer details.

At low and medium speeds in Comfort mode, you may notice occasional jerkiness from the gearbox and inconsistent throttle response. There is also a noticeable high-frequency noise coming from the rear-mounted electronics, which can be distracting and unexpected in a luxury GT car.

Switching to Sport or Sport+ mode brings out the expected thunderous sound from the V8 engine, especially with the addition of AMG’s sports exhaust. However, the overall sound of the combustion engine lacks the distinctive character you would expect from an AMG super-saloon.

When it comes to performance, the GT 63 S E Performance exceeds expectations. It accelerates from 0 to 60mph in just 2.9 seconds, 0 to 100mph in 6.6 seconds, and completes the standing quarter-mile in 10.9 seconds. It also impresses with its 30-70mph acceleration time of 2.5 seconds. In comparison to the BMW M5 CS, the GT 63 S E Performance sets new benchmarks.

Under full acceleration, the car feels powerful and responsive, with consistent thrust throughout the rev range. However, it is worth noting that the GT 63 S E Performance relies heavily on its combustion engine, which is highly stressed and lacks the free-revving nature of other AMG models.

In the sportier driving modes, the car has an interesting quirk where it reserves a portion of the electric rear axle’s boost as a “push to pass” feature. This extra power is only accessible by pushing the accelerator pedal beyond its kickdown point. While this may make the driver feel like a Formula 1 star, it adds complexity to the driving experience and can be challenging to manage at the limits on a track.