What appears to be an AMG-fettled version of Mercedes-Benz’s next electric SUV has been spied testing.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC SUV, as the replacement for the outgoing EQC may be called, will spawn an AMG version as its larger EQE SUV sibling has done.
This could be an AMG EQC 53 SUV, with Mercedes-AMG thus far avoiding using the the ’63’ number on electric vehicles (EVs).
Overseas reports suggest the EQC SUV could debut in 2025.
There’s still plenty of camouflage, as well as placeholder lights, but the SUV appears to have a wide track as well as larger wheels and brakes than previously spied EQC SUV prototypes.
It’s also being tailed by an AMG EQE SUV. Against this larger SUV, it has a wedgier profile and the appearance of a longer, flatter bonnet.
We’d expect a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain for this AMG-fettled SUV. As to how much grunt it’ll have on tap, the larger AMG EQE 53 SUV pumps out 460kW of power and 950Nm of torque – or 505kW and 1000Nm with the AMG Dynamic Plus package.
The AMG EQC SUV will go up against the hottest versions of BMW’s next-generation iX3, which will use the dedicated Neue Klasse EV architecture, and Audi’s Q6 e-tron, which will use the electric-only Premium Platform Electric.
It’s unclear what will underpin the EQC SUV. Mercedes-Benz’s larger EQE SUV and EQS SUV use the Electric Vehicle Architecture, but the company is rolling out new MB.EA and AMG.EA platforms for mid- and full-size vehicles and high-performance models, respectively.
There’s also the new MMA platform that will support combustion and electric powertrains alike, though this is set to be used for the brand’s smaller Entry Luxury models like the next-generation CLA.
The outgoing EQC was never offered in AMG guise, nor was it offered in the huge North American market – both omissions set to be rectified with its replacement.
Whether it will be built there as well is unclear. The EQE SUV and EQS SUV, along with the combustion-powered GLE and GLS, are all built in the US.
