AMG’s Next Big Step
The question hanging over Mercedes-AMG’s next big step is simple. Will their fully electric GT 4-Door Coupe become a true hit, or quietly turn into a very expensive lesson about premium electric cars? We won’t get the answer to that question until the end of this year when sales begin, but AMG is already looking far into the future.
AMG is already deep into developing its next electric vehicle, which will take the form of a powerful SUV set to compete with the new electric Porsche Cayenne. Internally, the model is currently called the “GT SUV,” and it is expected to appear in key markets around 2027.
Fresh spy photos have already offered the clearest look yet at what AMG is preparing, and now a series of renders attempts to fill in the gaps. Whether the final design will be this close to these previews is another matter entirely, though one thing is for sure. It will not be a shy or inconspicuous SUV.
It’s also worth noting that unlike previous projects, this SUV is being developed from the ground up by AMG itself, not adapted from an existing Mercedes-Benz platform.
Bold Design
While some EVs have abandoned front grilles in favor of bumpers with minimal individuality, AMG seems to be moving in the opposite direction. These renders by Nikolai Chuyko for Kolesa show it with a gaping grille, similar to last year’s AMG GT XX concept, with lighting around the outer edge.
Elsewhere, the GT SUV features a pair of large air intakes, a light bar, and a pair of headlights that will likely resemble those of the AMG GT 4-Door EV, with star-shaped LED elements. Observations of prototypes also point to flush-mounted door handles, a detail aimed at improving aerodynamic efficiency. However, due to new regulations in China that prohibit hidden door handles, AMG may have to rethink the design or develop a market-specific solution.
Concept Car Looks
The model’s side profile is shaped quite sleekly, with slightly squared-off arches finished in black. As bold as the front end is, the rear may raise the bar to a new level, featuring six round LED taillights like the AMG GT XX concept, along with the possibility of a pronounced diffuser. In terms of size, the SUV is expected to slot between the EQE SUV and the EQS SUV.
As for the interior, we haven’t had a proper look inside the prototypes yet, but have a good idea of where it’s headed. It is expected to closely resemble the design and layout of the AMG GT 4-Door, adapted for the higher seating position of an SUV.
Images show an interior more driver-focused than we typically see in a Mercedes. A lot of digital real estate is expected, led by a 14-inch central touchscreen angled toward the driver rather than sitting flat on the dashboard. It is paired with a 10.2-inch display for the driver, while a separate 14-inch screen on the passenger side completes the setup.
Electric Powertrain
It’s not just the GT SUV’s design that will draw attention. Its powertrain is expected to be no less impressive. Like its sedan sibling, the SUV will be built on the new AMG.EA architecture and will use advanced axial-flux motors from Yasa.
At the top of the lineup is expected to be a model with three such motors, producing 1341 hp and surpassing the power of the Cayenne Electric Turbo with its 1156 hp. In this configuration, one motor is expected to drive the front axle and two the rear, providing rear-biased dynamics. Less powerful, dual-motor versions are also to be expected. To compensate for the lack of a traditional internal combustion engine, AMG is also developing a soundscape designed to mimic the rumble of a V8.
Developing its first proprietary electric SUV on a dedicated platform is a crucial strategic step for AMG, allowing them full control over the car’s characteristics and character. It also signals that the brand is serious about the electric future of high-performance cars. The success of this model may largely depend on how successfully it manages to combine the environmental benefits of electric drive with the emotional qualities and dynamics AMG is loved for. Competition from Porsche and other premium brands will be fierce, which should lead to even more technologically advanced and exciting models coming to market.