The performance division of Mercedes-Benz is developing its take on the upcoming, all-electric GLC SUV, and recent spy photos reveal a model that looks not only more like an AMG but more like a traditional car.
Mercedes-AMG is gearing up to launch its new electric SUV either later this year or in early 2026, and this is the most production-ready prototype spied yet.
Compared to the prototype spied in early 2024, this model now has complete tail lights and a revised front bumper, though its front-facing lights still appear to be placeholders.
The lower portion of the front bumper has also been redesigned to appear more aggressive, and its general body shape is a departure from the polarising jelly bean-shaped Mercedes electric vehicles (EVs) shown off in recent years.
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Mercedes-Benz recently confirmed it would be moving away from its previous EV design philosophy, instead planning to have a more unified design language across its EVs and their internal combustion counterparts.
That’s also in keeping with Mercedes’ decision to shift away from its EQ naming strategy, which is why the new SUV is expected to wear the GLC name.
For example, the electric G-Class debuted without the expected EQG nameplate, instead being called the G580 with EQ Technology.
“Going forward a coherent design language will be used across the entire portfolio,” Mercedes said in releasing its annual report for 2024.
“BEV and electrified high-tech ICE models will exploit their respective strengths, without sacrificing space, elegance, convenience or efficiency.”
Mercedes-Benz (and the AMG division) isn’t alone in designing EVs that look more like internal combustion vehicles, following BMW’s lead.
This recent sighting of the upcoming GLC EV follows that of the C-Class EV, which while camouflaged also bore a stronger resemblance to the standard C-Class than the electric counterparts of the E-Class (EQE) and S-Class (EQS).
It’s still unclear what will underpin the GLC EV. The larger EQE SUV and EQS SUV use the Electric Vehicle Architecture, but the company also has new MB.EA and AMG.EA platforms for mid- and full-size vehicles and high-performance models, respectively.
There’s also the MMA platform that will support combustion and electric powertrains alike, though this has been used for the brand’s smaller Entry Luxury models like the next-generation CLA.
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