Thanks to a new platform, more advanced batteries, and better electric motors, the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ is shaping up to be the firm’s most capable EV yet, at least based on early impressions. With a credible rival to the BMW iX3, along with increasing competition from Chinese EVs, Mercedes is clearly intent on expanding its electric GLC lineup.

Just a single version of the SUV has been unveiled so far, officially known as the GLC 400 4Matic with EQ Technology, producing 483 hp thanks to a pair of electric motors. In times gone by, that figure would have been enough for an AMG badge, but things have changed, and EV buyers now expect supercar-levels of performance.

Read: Can AMG Add Some Excitement To The Underwhelming GLC EV?

Mercedes’ solution will be a proper AMG version of the GLC EQ. Pictured in these spy shots, the SUV will combine more menacing looks with significant performance gains, pushing it into a whole new stratosphere.

Design Changes

SH Proshots

This prototype, pictured in a deep shade of matte black, has camouflage across its front and rear, hiding some of the changes being made. Chief among these will be a more aggressive front bumper, tweaked air intakes, and a new grille. You’ll also notice it is sitting on a set of new blacked-out wheels with upgraded cross-drilled brake rotors and beefed-up calipers.

Perhaps the most intriguing detail is at the rear, where an active spoiler appears to be part of the package. Normally it would sit flush when parked, but this prototype was caught with it fully raised, giving a clear look at what’s to come. With the kind of power it promises to offer, there will be no shortage of airflow for it to work with.

Further down, the taillights should carry over from the standard electric GLC, but a new rear bumper will tie the look together with the revised front end.

Supercar Power

According to sources, the AMG version of the GLC will follow the same path as the GT 4-Door EV and the brand’s dedicated electric SUV, pairing three of YASA’s advanced axial-flux motors. The target is over 900 hp, which should be enough to reach 60 mph (96 km/h) in under three seconds.

Elsewhere, the AMG model could use new prismatic battery cells, rather than the cylindrical ones of the standard GLC, improving power density and thermal performance. These cells may also enable DC fast-charging speeds of up to 400 kW, an improvement over the standard SUV’s 330 kW, and matching the iX3.

As for when it will debut, there’s a good chance it breaks cover this fall at the Paris Motor Show in October, with sales likely to follow not long after.

SH Proshots

Mercedes-Benz has a pair of very interesting new EVs in its line-up, namely the latest-generation CLA and GLC, but that doesn’t mean it’s not thinking even further into the future. According to a new report, the brand may look to deepen ties with China’s second-largest car manufacturer for its next generation of EVs.

Unnamed sources claim that Mercedes has had early-stage discussions with Geely about its future EVs. It’s possible these vehicles will feature componentry from the Chinese brand, which would no doubt help cut engineering costs and shorten development times.

Read: 2026 Mercedes CLA To Get A 2.0L Turbo Engine Built By China’s Geely

While Geely declined to comment on the report, a Mercedes spokesperson acknowledged that the firm “is continually reviewing ways to make research and development faster, better and more efficient — both in China and globally.” Importantly, the same spokesperson told Bloomberg that there are no discussions about Mercedes and Geely sharing platforms.

Germany Joins With China

This contrasts with what fellow German brand VW has done. It has partnered with Chinese brand Xpeng and is sharing architectures with the relatively young EV startup for some of its future EVs, including a new ID-badged sedan. Companies like Xpeng, as well as BYD, Geely, Chery, and others, have streaked ahead of many Western legacy automakers, developing more advanced batteries and electric motors.

Mercedes already has very strong ties with Geely and operates the Smart brand with its Chinese partner. Once exclusively a purveyor of small city cars, the Smart brand has been revitalized as an EV manufacturer with designs penned by Mercedes, while engineering and manufacturing are handled by Geely.

While Mercedes says it’s not interested in platform sharing with Geely, a recent report from China claims that the German company could develop its next-gen EV platform using Geely’s GEEA electronic and electrical architecture as its base. This report from 36Kr claims that the new platform has been dubbed ‘Phoenix’ and will be used for entry-level EVs sold worldwide, potentially launching as soon as 2030 as a replacement for the current MMA architecture.