Quick Highlights:AMG’s first high-performance GLC EV begins testing, debut expected next yearNew cylindrical-cell battery pack with direct cooling and higher thermal efficiencyAxial-flux triple-motor setup to push combined output past 900 hpCharging speeds expected to reach 400 kW, surpassing the standard GLC EVMercedes-AMG is preparing to expand its electric portfolio with a flagship performance SUV expected to arrive next year. The new AMG GLC EV, now spotted undergoing early tests, will serve as the most potent iteration of the recently revealed all-electric Mercedes-Benz GLC. Positioned above the regular EV lineup, this AMG derivative is designed to compete with the quickest battery-powered SUVs from Porsche and BMW, as the premium performance EV segment intensifies.Interest in the AMG-badged GLC EV has grown swiftly since early prototypes first appeared in Europe only months after Mercedes unveiled the standard GLC with EQ Tech. This new version represents far more than a cosmetic upgrade. It marks a significant step in AMG’s electric strategy, a program already showcased by the hardcore GT XX, whose tech plays a central role in shaping the upcoming SUV.While the production-ready design remains camouflaged, early spy shots reveal notable enhancements. Broad wheel arches house new forged alloy wheels, and a prominent rear spoiler suggests aerodynamic considerations befitting a performance flagship. These visual cues signal a deliberate effort from AMG to differentiate its electric model with the same muscular presence associated with its V8-powered predecessors.As global markets embrace fast-charging infrastructure and long-range EVs, AMG appears intent on using the GLC platform to demonstrate how electric performance cars can evolve beyond traditional benchmarks. The brand’s partnership with Yasa, the British engineering firm behind the axial-flux motor design recently adopted in AMG’s next-generation electric vehicles, further reinforces this ambition. The motors’ compact footprint combined with exceptionally high power density allows AMG to chase performance targets historically reserved for supercars.Beyond engineering advancements, the AMG GLC EV aims to recreate the emotional experience enthusiasts expect. Engineers are integrating a simulated multi-speed transmission intended to add mechanical engagement absent in typical single-speed electric drivetrains. This setup is comparable to the system in Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N, where artificial shifts create a more immersive performance feel. AMG will also embed a sound-simulation system inspired by the GT XX, recreating the deep tonal character of a combustion engine to bridge the sensory gap between the brand’s electric and traditional lineups.The standard Mercedes-Benz GLC EV already sits among the industry’s faster-charging EVs, supporting DC rates up to 330 kW. Even so, AMG is preparing a substantial upgrade. Faster heat dissipation, higher energy throughput, and sustained high-power operation are central priorities, especially given the increased load demanded by a triple-motor drivetrain. These enhancements are enabled by a new battery architecture that departs sharply from the prismatic-cell pack used in the base model.The shift toward a high-performance electric SUV reflects broader trends within the industry. Rivals such as the Porsche Macan Electric and future BMW iX3-based M performance variants set high benchmarks that AMG aims to surpass. With the electric GLC already well received for its refinement and range, AMG’s task now is to translate that foundation into a machine capable of delivering both daily usability and track-capable dynamics. The adoption of cylindrical cells and a re-engineered cooling system indicates AMG’s intention to ensure consistent performance even under prolonged stress.These developments underline AMG’s commitment to building electric vehicles that embody the brand’s long-standing performance ethos. As combustion engines fade from mainstream lineups, preserving the identity of performance divisions becomes a critical challenge. Through innovations in battery cooling, electric motor packaging, and artificial sound and shift engagement, AMG seeks to ensure its EVs retain the character that made the brand desirable.Given the rapid pace of EV advancement, expectations are high. Enthusiasts will be watching closely as the AMG GLC EV moves through final stages of development and approaches its anticipated market arrival next year. With competition intensifying and the technology improving rapidly, the model is set to become a defining entry in AMG’s electric journey.Now, the essential technical details paint a clearer picture of the scale of AMG’s ambitions. Unlike the standard GLC EV’s prismatic battery cells, the AMG version will incorporate newly developed cylindrical cells engineered for higher power density and improved thermal properties. These cells work with an 800V architecture supported by a direct liquid-cooling system that channels coolant around each individual cell, an approach that significantly enhances heat management. This upgrade increases potential fast-charging rates to as high as 400 kW, roughly 70 kW above the non-AMG variant.Complementing the advanced battery is a triple-motor layout comprising three axial-flux units supplied by Yasa. One motor sits on the front axle while two others power the rear, collectively delivering more than 900 hp. The configuration not only boosts straight-line speed but also promises dynamic torque vectoring for sharper handling. AMG is targeting a 0–100 kmph time under three seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 kmph. These figures position the model directly against the upper tier of electric performance SUVs, including the most powerful Porsche Cayenne Electric variants that exceed 1,000 hp.With technology borrowed from the AMG GT XX, a reworked thermal management system, and a performance-focused drivetrain, the Mercedes-AMG GLC EV is set to become one of the most powerful and advanced electric SUVs to reach the market next year.