It's been nearly two months since Mercedes launched the all-new GLC EQ electric crossover, and now Affalterbach's attention has turned to the AMG variant. Testing is now underway on and around the Nürburgring, where our spies have caught this nearly production-ready prototype, and although a reveal is still some way off, this test mule has revealed plenty to the camera, including its interior. But first, let's take a closer look at the exterior, which, like the AMG-enhanced CLA we spotted in June, will have active aerodynamic aids. It's a little unusual seeing a crossover with such a pronounced spoiler, but AMG's brainiacs must see a benefit to the device if it's here.
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AMG's Electric Crossover Looks Angry
Fully extended, the active spoiler looks almost like the sort of airbrake found on a hypercar like the Bugatti Chiron, and it certainly grabs attention, which is necessary when a performance-focused EV can't rely on massive grilles or a set of four AMG exhaust tips. Notably, views of the development mule in motion reveal that when the spoiler is flush with the sloping roof, a vertically extending lip spoiler can also be deployed. Does this hint at active aero under the front bumper to balance the downforce? We'll have to wait and see, but it wouldn't be the first time that ideas seen on a Porsche 911 GT3 RS were adopted by other manufacturers.
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Moving on, and the engineers have elected to apply some black vinyl to the rocker panels and doors at an angle, which suggests they're trying to hide something special. Perhaps more active aero will find its way to the side skirts. False cladding under the vinyl camouflage, as well as a concealed C-pillar, are further attempts at obscuring the true design, and we see more of the same on the hood. Up front, a flat face will house a large Three-pointed Star, and we can expect AMG-specific styling for the front and rear fascias.
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AMG's GLC Will Have Occupants Seeing Red
It's not enough for an AMG model to have unique bodywork; it needs a special interior too, and the GLC's design team has duly obliged with heavily bolstered seats dressed in two-tone black-and red leather. This color combo is a staple of the AMG stable, but a new addition is the perforation of the black leather, with numerous renditions of the five slanted lines that preface AMG lettering peeking through in red. In the center console, we see two beige-colored armrests beneath which a storage bin hides, with the same cream color appearing on the door cards. We're not sure this color scheme works, but the metal elements on the door handles, speaker grilles, and air vents do look swanky.
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As for what lies beneath, the AMG.EA 800-volt architecture will underpin the crossover. This is capable of up to 952 horsepower with three axial-flux motors, but we doubt Mercedes will go that far with the GLC. We'll know more in the coming months, with a reveal likely to take place sometime in 2026. Until then, our spies will keep their ears to the ground and their lenses on future prototypes.
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