It was only February when Mercedes revealed the 2027 AMG GLC 53 with a freshly revised powertrain offering more power and more torque along with a drift mode. But barely six months later, the Autoblog spies have caught its replacement lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife during a recent industry testing pool day. So what gives? Well, the GLC was feeling left out. Although three-pointed-star-shaped daytime running lights have been fashionable on all Mercedes models since the CLA concept showed up three years ago, the GLC was presumably too far along the development and homologation timeline to get its share. Don’t forget – even lighting systems go through extensive testing procedures before they’re certified for use.
Updated Looks Front and Rear for AMG GLC Coupe
Autoblog/SH Proshots
The Mercedes-AMG GLC Coupe in these images is a 53 model, as denoted by the four exhaust tips being round rather than squared. The headlights have the new graphics, and so do the taillights, but while Mercedes has also camouflaged most of the front end and tailgate, we don’t expect significant styling changes. Some tweaks to the grille and the front bumper may be coming, but the side skirts, wheel arches, and fenders seem to be unchanged. The upturned rear end with its subtle spoiler also looks perfectly normal. Inside, not much is expected to change besides some new material, color, and trim choices, along with the introduction of the MB.OS infotainment software.
Autoblog/SH Proshots
Of course, while this prototype wears a GLC 53 body, which houses a 3.0-liter electrically turbocharged six-cylinder engine making 443 horsepower and 443 lb-of torque, we can’t ignore the possibility that the reborn GLC 63 is being tested. This last came with the broadly unloved 671-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid system that made the C 63 a pariah among enthusiasts, and Mercedes has been slowly reintroducing V8 power where it’s been lost, hoping to win back the buyers it lost.
Autoblog’s Take
Autoblog/SH Proshots
This new GLC prototype from AMG comes not too long after the 2027 model was revealed, never mind before it arrived at dealerships, which tells us that production will only commence next year, with a launch in the second half of 2027 or possibly even early in 2028. Thus, it may still be too soon to read too much into the styling of this prototype. It may be a red herring to throw us off the GLC 63’s scent, or it may just be a lighting and infotainment upgrade for the existing GLC 53. Eiher way, we’ve got plenty of time to aim cameras at prototypes and ears at grapevines, and we’ll report back once mor information becomes available.
Autoblog/SH Proshots
Â
