Mercedes and its AMG sports division are making the leap into electric motoring with the unveiling of an impressive grand tourer: the AMG GT 4-door. The German tuning firm has developed an innovative architecture, a high-performance battery based on Formula 1 technology, and a triple-motor setup to enable this pure-bred sports car to deliver up to 1,169 hp (860 kW) of maximum power. The performance of this new benchmark in the segment promises to reach new heights, such as accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.1 seconds!
A masterpiece of engineering
Mercedes was expected to unveil the electrified versions of its ultra-sporty models developed by its tuning division, AMG. The four-door GT coupé, which has just been unveiled in Los Angeles, is truly impressive. Building on the CONCEPT AMG GT XX technology demonstrator presented last year, the production model looks set to become the benchmark in the high-performance electric segment. There are numerous innovations, starting with the AMG.EA architecture, specially developed in Affalterbach, which features an all-wheel-drive concept with three ‘axial-flow’ motors (two on the rear axle, one at the front) combined with a high-performance battery. This 800-volt battery incorporates some of the components found in the battery pack used in F1, with directly cooled cylindrical cells (thanks to a liquid that circulates continuously between the cells). This unique battery allows for better energy absorption, and the power density delivered is higher than normal. Advantages: it can deliver rapid, sustained and reproducible instantaneous power. Mercedes thus promises sprint performance over marathon distances, often the weak point of electric power compared to combustion engines.
Performance on a par with the finest supercars
The combination of the three more compact engines thus delivers up to 860 kW of power – the equivalent of 1,169 hp – and a massive 2,000 Nm of torque. In its sportiest configuration, the AMG GT 4-door is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.1 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 6.4 seconds. The top speed is 300 km/h, provided the ‘AMG Driver’s Package’ is selected. The ‘boost’ provided by the electric power lasts for over a minute continuously. Alongside these figures, worthy of the finest supercars, come encouraging results in terms of range, AMG’s other key focus in electric vehicles. The development of the AMG XX Concept prototype recently proved this. At the Nardo test track in Italy, the vehicle completed a “round-the-world” journey at very high speed, covering more than 40,000 kilometres (without stopping, except to recharge), in 7 days and 13 hours. This achievement validated the technological choices made and broke 25 electric long-distance records along the way. As a result, “with the AMG GT 4-door Coupé, we are taking performance and endurance to a whole new level and pushing the boundaries of electric mobility,” says Jörg Burzer, Chief Technology Officer at Mercedes-AMG.
Charging speed and driving experience
Mercedes-AMG has also focused on reducing the time spent at the charging station. Thanks to a 600 kW capacity (optional AMG Performance Charger), the charging speed allows for 460 km of range to be restored in 10 minutes. The standard charging cycle from 10% to 80% takes just 11 minutes. Spending as little time as possible at the charging point is, in fact, the other key challenge for an electric GT. It is worth noting that the battery capacity is 106 kWh net.
In terms of the driving experience, Mercedes has developed the AMG Race Engineer. This is a suite of connected software designed for drivers who wish to make the most of the car’s dynamics in line with their driving style. Whether it’s throttle response, traction or cornering behaviour, three dials on the centre console allow the desired level of response to be adjusted across nine settings. Combined with these settings, the AMG Active Ride Control suspension offers optimal weight distribution, semi-active roll stabilisation and maintains a balanced road holding that strikes a balance between the rigidity expected of a sports car and the comfort of a grand tourer. Together, these electronic systems enhance the agility of a very heavy (2,460 kg kerb weight) and long (5.09 m, with a wheelbase of over 3 m) car and should make it easier to handle dynamically, particularly on the track.
Athletic and aerodynamic design
In terms of styling, the AMG-GT 4-door coupé boasts an athletic and sporty design: with taut lines and the active Aerokinetic system to maximise downforce, the drag coefficient is 0.22, a level of aerodynamic efficiency that helps keep fuel consumption low (around 21 kWh/100 km).
Inside the cabin, the atmosphere is high-tech and sporty (backlit air vents, carbon fibre trim). The ergonomics are designed around the driver, who sits very low and faces a flat-bottomed multifunction steering wheel with touch controls and rotary knobs for selecting the driving mode without taking their eyes off the road. Three screens span the full width of the dashboard, serving both driver and passenger, highlighting the blend of cutting-edge technology that bridges the gap between extreme sport and ultimate luxury.
Two versions of the electric AMG GT
On a more light-hearted note, an artificial V8 engine sound is played through the speakers. This immersive sound, which includes a brief interruption in power delivery with every simulated gear change, promises to be authentic enough to satisfy fans of powerful V8s. Whether that’s the case is down to individual taste.
Mercedes is launching two versions of this four-door AMG GT. The sportier AMG 63 delivers a constant 721 hp and a range of just under 600 km. The GT 55 version, meanwhile, offers a constant 510 hp and a longer range (up to 700 km). Both are powered by the fully variable 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system.
Towards a new era
Whilst the price of this AMG-GT four-door coupé is not yet known, it is expected to go on sale in a few days’ time. This new model, which is already being billed as ‘iconic’, is therefore Mercedes’ response – a rather convincing one on paper – to Porsche, Tesla, Xiaomi and YangWang (BYD). These manufacturers all present a different vision of high-performance electric vehicles. But what they have in common is proving that electric power can deliver unprecedented and radical driving experiences thanks to innovative technology and revolutionary designs, with the aim of ushering in a new era – provided customers are on board…
