We already know an all-electric sibling for the popular Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan is being developed, and now our spy photographers have spotted the hot AMG version testing near the Nürburgring.
Armed with less than subtle aero features, aggressive air intakes, a power-domed bonnet, big brakes, lowered suspension, widened wheel tracks and lightweight wheels with low-profile tyres, the 2026 Mercedes-AMG EQC sedan looks like it will take the fight to the Tesla Model 3 Performance and Hyundai IONIQ 6 N.
Very few details are known at this stage and it remains unclear if this flagship mid-size performance sedan will wear the EV-familiar ‘53’ logo or the German car-maker’s full-fat ‘63’ emblem.
Mercedes-Benz previously said in 2021 that it would be a while before EVs can wear AMG’s top-shelf 63 badge due to the dynamic handicap of their immense weight.
In 2022, however, it was revealed that Mercedes-AMG’s legendary numerical designation would grace EVs after all thanks to new-generation e-motor technology, most likely in the form of axial flux motors instead of radial flux motors.
Based on what we’ve seen already from the EQS and EQE 53 variants, the full-fat ‘63’ EVs will offer devastating outputs and performance well in excess of 500kW/1000Nm.
That’s something that will be especially important for the Mercedes-AMG EQC 63 sedan, given it will rub shoulders with the 500kW/1020Nm plug-in hybrid C 63 S E-Performance.
We doubt this prototype is a semi-skim 53 version, judging by its aggressive front canards, hunkered-down stance and front wheel camber, and it would make sense for AMG to release the electric equivalent of the C 63 S first.
It would not only follow the German luxury brand’s classic ‘top-down’ approach to model launches, but the Class has traditionally formed the basis of AMG’s least-powerful ‘63’ model, thereby buying time for it to increase the outputs for its bigger electric models.
Perhaps the biggest headache for AMG’s new electric sedan will be the now-confirmed BMW M3 EV, which is primed to be blessed with a gob-smacking 1000kW quad-motor powertrain.
Whether or not BMW M comes straight out of the gate with a 1000kW monster remains to be seen, just as it’s not yet clear how many kiloWatts the first battery-electric AMG 63 product will hum out.
Regular versions of the EQC sedan are tipped to make their debut sometime next year, pointing to a 2026 release for the AMG hero variant.