Mercedes has released a single teaser image of its upcoming 2023 GLC ahead of the SUV’s June 1 unveil.
As supplied, the mysterious near-black image shows only the compact SUV’s slim wraparound rear light clusters, though a bit of manipulation with photo editing software reveals the entire rear corner of the car.
The lightened image confirms that the rear lamps are slimmer than the current car’s, but not as slim as they appear in the darkened version of the picture, and the rest of what we see helps fill in the blanks left by camo-covered spy shots of GLC prototypes we’ve seen in recent months. The car in the image appears to be in AMG-Line trim, judging by the small roof spoiler, the glimpse of a diffuser visible at the bottom of the image, and the (presumably fake) vents in the lower bumper just behind the rear wheels.
The 2023 GLC rides on the same platform as the recently introduced C-Class sedan, but should be more practical than even the C-Class wagon. Mercedes says the new GLC will have a “variable space”, suggesting that it will feature sliding rear seats, a feature common on many SUVs and crossovers, but missing from the outgoing GLC’s equipment list.
Related: 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC Drops Most Of Its Camouflage In Latest Spy Shots
Mercedes also confirms that the GLC will get the latest version of the company’s MBUX infotainment system and a “fully digitized” cockpit, which likely means it will borrow the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 11.9-inch portrait touchscreen from other cars in the Benz stable.
While it hasn’t revealed technical details for the GLC, Mercedes says it will come standard with 4Matic all-wheel drive, while hinting that every single engine in the lineup will have some kind of hybrid assistance. We can expect the powertrains to closely mirror those available in the C-class, which means 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder motors with mild-hybrid assistance, or the option of a PHEV that Mercedes claims will be good for a 62-mile (100 km) electric range, for the majority of cars.
Diesel options should be available for some markets, and there will be several AMG offerings, including a GLC 43 fitted with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 402 hp (408 PS) just like in the recently-revealed C 43, and a GLC 63 heading the range. The 2023 GLC should be in showrooms before the end of 2022, but if you want to find out more about it you can watch the live reveal on June 1, which Mercedes is presenting as a fictional look behind the scenes of a product launch starring a befuddled film director and an F1 driver.
