Mercedes-AMG GT SUV: the nightmare of Ferrari, Porsche and Lotus is an electric all-terrain vehicle

If a few years ago someone had told us that the high-performance sports car division Mercedes-AMG would manufacture an electric SUV to compete head-to-head with Ferrari, we would have possibly thought that we were all crazy. In fact, in the 59-year history of the AMG division, a car with a raised SUV or all-terrain body had never been manufactured, and even less so housing an electric powertrain capable of reaching 1,169 hp of power.

Times have changed and premium brands are copying the (surprisingly successful) strategy of Ferrari and the new Luce, to create a new, as yet unexplored market segment, which will surely leave generous commercial margins: electric sports SUVs. The new Mercedes-AMG GT SUV is an SUV with a raised body, marked aerodynamic shapes and a predominance of geometric forms, with very pronounced tension lines and ribs, which generate an effect of a robust, aggressive and powerful vehicle.

It is worth highlighting the design of the light signature of the Mercedes-AMG GT SUV, presided over by star-shaped headlights and six propeller or turbine-shaped taillights, which provide presence and distinction. This electric sports SUV also incorporates a rear spoiler that activates at speeds from 150 km/h to improve the vehicle's stability, as well as various mobile openings that allow air to circulate to cool the electric motors and the entire mechanical section when necessary.

The vehicle's interiors maintain the elegant and digitized design that characterizes AMG models, with various screens presiding over the entire dashboard and instrument cluster, as well as the latest version of the MBUX system, which manages the vehicle's functionalities and incorporates several AI-based features that allow for what the brand calls "natural conversations" with the vehicle, while also offering parameters and data related to driving, energy consumption, or traffic information.

A technological marvel

The AMG division has gone all out with this electric SUV, which has three power levels called AMG GT 53, AMG GT 55, and AMG GT 63. The entry-level model called GT 53 features two electric motors to offer a total power of 544 hp, while the GT 55 reaches 816 hp. The top of the range, called GT 63, features three axial flux motors to achieve 1,169 hp, capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 in just 2.5 seconds and taking on the Ferrari Luce.

All versions of the Mercedes-AMG GT SUV feature an all-wheel drive system, although the vehicle can distribute torque automatically to ensure maximum safety and grip without sacrificing the dynamic capabilities of the package. In this regard, it is also worth noting that this vehicle features carbon-ceramic brakes inspired by those used in competition, which are resistant to high temperatures, as well as a system called AMG active ride control that uses active hydraulic elements to control and minimize inertia and body movements.

To power this entire assembly, Mercedes has announced battery packs with capacities of 106 kWh or 128 kWh, which should allow for theoretical ranges of up to 700 kilometers. The batteries of the Mercedes-AMG GT SUV debut a new cooling system using an insulating liquid that flows around the battery pack to prevent them from overheating and losing properties.

The fact is that despite being an electric SUV with space for five occupants and a good trunk, this Mercedes-AMG GT SUV does not renounce being a sports car worthy of the AMG initials. Although none of its buyers will use it much, the new Mercedes-AMG GT incorporates a system called AMG Track Pace, capable of recording more than 80 parameters of the car ten times per second, and which analyzes all the telemetry (accelerations, braking, inertia) when the car is driven on the asphalt of a circuit. Finally, the car also incorporates a predictive performance manager that reserves energy and power to offer it at those points where the system detects it can influence and favor improving the lap time.

At this point, it will come as no surprise to anyone that the Mercedes-AMG GT SUV will be a very expensive car. In fact, we only know the price of the entry-level GT 53 versions, which have a base price of 113,000 euros, while we will have to wait until the spring to know the price of the GT 55 and GT 63 versions. The most equipped and powerful versions will surely have a price that will approach or even exceed the 200,000 euro threshold, and although it is an extremely high price that puts it out of reach for the vast majority of buyers, it is clear that this Mercedes-AMG GT SUV will end up becoming a real sales success.