It’s been a minute since we got our first look at the next-generation GLC Coupe in AMG-spec. Hanging out in Afflerbach near Mercedes-AMG headquarters is a good way to catch a prototype in disguise, and our patience paid off with some great shots of the upcoming AMG GLC 43.
The standard GLC is debuting back in 2022, so it’s not a total mystery as to what the sportier coupe will look like overall. The swirl wrap still hides front and rear details, especially at the rear where the sloping roof meets the rear fascia. With this AMG model, there are additional details hidden from view, although it’s easy to see the Panamericana grille and AMG-specific intakes in the corners of the fascia.
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It’s a similar story in hindsight. Look closely at the trailer hitch area and you’ll see a small diffuser lurking there. The rear fascia is also slightly wider towards the bottom compared to other GLC Coupe prototypes we’ve seen. This helps accommodate a slightly wider track overall, and the four oval exhaust tips confirm that this is a low-power AMG GLC 43 model. The range-topping AMG features square outlets.
Talking about power, lower in this case it still means 402 horsepower (300 kilowatts). It won’t come from a six-cylinder engine, but a high-output version of the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder used in many of Mercedes’ current models. It’s the same setup found in the new AMG C43, incorporating a 48-volt mild hybrid system to help with power and efficiency. It’s possible that Mercedes engineers may have tweaked power levels a bit to suit the GLC’s trim level hierarchy, but around 400 hp would place it comfortably between the standard version and the AMG GLC 63, which should pack a 671 hp four-pot hybrid by then. debut.
Will the GLC 43 arrive before the 63? Before these two appear, we first need to take a look at the standard Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. It’s possible the coupe and GLC 43 could be revealed simultaneously, but whichever comes first, they should all be camo-free by the end of this year. Because of this, we believe the AMG GLC 43 will debut for the 2024 model year.
