- Three electric motors will help the SUV deliver more than 900 hp.
- The sprint to 62 mph should be dispatched in less than 3 seconds.
- AMG will upgrade the battery to support 400 kW charging speeds.
A couple of months after the unveiling of the all-electric Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Tech in Europe, we’ve started seeing prototypes of a fully-fledged AMG version that’s just around the corner.
Positioned as a rival to the electric Porsche Cayenne, this new AMG will reportedly serve up the sort of power once reserved for supercars.
Read: Star-Stricken Mercedes GLC EV Has A Grille Big Enough To Swallow A BMW iX3
Developed entirely by AMG, the SUV will be powered by three of Yasa’s axial-flux motors. Yasa, a British engineering firm now owned by Mercedes, is already supplying these motors for the production version of the recently revealed GT XX prototype. These compact yet immensely powerful motors are a central piece of AMG’s next-generation electric strategy.
According to Autocar, the German marque is aiming for a peak output exceeding 900 horsepower, enough to launch the AMG GLC to 62 mph (100 km/h) in under three seconds and on to a limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
It’s not just the axial-flux motors that will make the AMG GLC special. Whereas the standard model uses prismatic cells, the AMG variant will adopt cylindrical ones, which offer better power density and thermal performance.
Adding to that, reports suggest the system will incorporate a new direct cooling setup to keep the battery operating at optimal temperature during heavy use.
As standard, the electric GLC supports DC charging speeds of up to 330 kW, meaning 186 miles (300 km) of range can be added in just 10 minutes. While this is among the best in the industry – if you ignore the Chinese – the AMG variant will reportedly support charging speeds of as high as 400 kW.
AMG Driving Thrills
The upgrades don’t end with power and charging. AMG engineers reportedly want the electric GLC to feel worthy of its badge, so the SUV will feature a simulated multi-speed transmission intended to add a sense of mechanical involvement. It’s a similar concept to what Hyundai has implemented in its Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 6 N performance EVs.
In addition, the new model will include a speaker setup that recreates the growl of a combustion engine, echoing the system used in the AMG GT XX.
Earlier this month, spy photographers caught the AMG GLC testing for the first time. The prototype wore new forged alloy wheels tucked within flared arches and a prominent rear spoiler, hinting at the final car’s aggressive stance. If all goes to plan, it should reach the market sometime next year.
