Oder is it changing to the GLC45 name?
Although we have seen spy shots of next-generation Mercedes-Benz GLCs and the AMG 63 range-topper, this is the first time that we’ve seen the “AMG Lite”. It may or not retain the “43” designation. German magazine Auto Bild reports that the AMG C43 will get the C45 moniker . If this is the case, logic suggests that the GLC 43 will also be promoted to C45.
Name aside, it’s obvious that we are dealing with the lower AMG derivative. The prototype’s quad-round exhaust tips were used instead of the 63’s angular finishers. A new batch of spy photos has been added to show the hotter variant. It’s easy to see that the test vehicle has larger brakes, which is necessary to provide the extra power coming from the underside.
Both AMG flavors of GLC’s C-Class derivatives will lose a lot of cylinders. The 43 model will be reduced from a twin-turbo 3.0-liter engine V6 to a 2.0 liter four-pot, while the 63 model will swap the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 for an identical M139 unit. Both models are adapted from the engines that power the 45-badged cars.
We expect more power, despite the downsizing. The C63 will have a plug-in hybrid and an electric turbocharger from the 1 hypercar. This will eliminate turbo lag. This hybrid setup is expected to produce more than 500 horsepower at all times, and provide a temporary peak torque of over 600 hp. It will easily surpass the C63 S’s 503-hp output.
The powertrains for the performance GLCs will be revealed soon. The AMG C43/45 is getting closer, and the C63 is getting closer. Both are likely to arrive in 2022. Next year is the expected release of the standard next-gen crossover, while AMGs could arrive in 2023.