Here’s a scoop fresh from Germany. We’ve got some exclusive spy shots of the upcoming Mercedes-AMG GLC43. A prototype of the SUV was recently spotted during a test run.

Overview

We all know that the industry as a whole is undergoing a paradigm shift right now with the EV revolution well underway. Downsizing seems to be an ongoing trend and this is something that hasn’t escaped big-time performance brands like AMG either. It's especially true for Europe, which has pledged to ban combustion-engined vehicles from 2035.

The 2023 GLC 43 AMG

The latest model to fall prey to this ongoing trend of engine downsizing will be the Mercedes AMG GLC43. By looking at the spy shots, what’s almost immediately obvious is that the footprint of the next GLC remains more or less the same when compared to the current model. You’ll find a larger grille and a proper set of pipes at the rear, which is no bad thing in my opinion. Overall, expect revised exterior styling, new lighting elements, and the latest generation of MBUX to be part of the refresh.

These are features that one obviously expects on a facelift model. However, the big change will take place under the hood. The upcoming mid-size performance SUV from Affalterbach will most likely feature a smaller 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, instead of the V-6 and V-8's offered on the current range of GLC AMGs, which produce anywhere between 385 horsepower and 503 horsepower on the GLC63 S.

This is the legendary M139 unit that made headlines back in 2019 when it debuted on the A45 AMG, for being the most powerful 2.0-liter engine ever made. Expect it to produce anywhere in the region of 400 horsepower. This is the same engine that you’ll find in the upcoming C43 or C53 AMG, whatever Mercedes decides to call it, and the GLC 63e Hybrid variant of the GLC.

Conclusion

Sedans might be a dying breed, but performance SUVs are now more popular than ever before and Mercedes-AMG certainly wants to ride this wave until it lasts. The current GLC43 AMG starts at $63,000, so expect the next model to be positioned similarly. While the brand’s CEO Philipp Schiemer, has pledged that AMG will continue to develop engines for another decade, what is inevitable is the fact that Daimler as a brand will begin to shift its focus on the EQ brand.

Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien