Mercedes-AMG, fundamentally known as the high-performance outfit for Mercedes, is swiftly making the transition to an electric future. The AMG division, which has a history of thrashing hand-built V-8 and V-12 engines, is embarking on a new era of electrification. Their journey into the electric vehicle market is already underway, with AMG offering its own iterations of Mercedes’ EQE sedan, EQE SUV, and EQS sedan. Furthermore, the company is diligently working on its first dedicated electric vehicle, reportedly set to debut around 2025.
This dedicated electric vehicle will be built upon AMG’s proprietary modular EV platform, known as the AMG.EA platform. As reports suggest, the upcoming model will take the form of a stylish sedan or possibly a hatchback, designed to serve as an electric alternative to the current GT 4-Door Coupe. The Vision AMG concept, unveiled by AMG last year, serves as a precursor to what’s to come. This concept car was meticulously crafted to illustrate the full potential of the AMG.EA platform, incorporating axial-flux motors developed by Yasa, a company wholly owned by Mercedes that specializes in high-performance electric motors.
Axial-flux motors present a unique advantage due to their reduced size and weight when compared to conventional radial-flux motors with similar power outputs. However, manufacturing these motors is a more intricate and costly process. One of these motors, designed for production use, weighs a mere 53 pounds but is capable of generating up to 480 horsepower. Utilizing two of these motors could potentially propel the AMG’s upcoming electric supercar to nearly 1,000 horsepower.
Mercedes Vision AMG Concept
According to AutoCar, Robert Lesnik, Mercedes’ head of exterior design, disclosed in an interview that the AMG.EA platform has provided designers with the opportunity to create a low-profile and sleek vehicle, a design that not only enhances aesthetics but also improves efficiency—an essential aspect of this ambitious project. Furthermore, AMG has plans to incorporate active aerodynamic features into the vehicle’s design and might even include a printed logo, similar to those used on AMG’s Formula 1 cars and the One hypercar.
AMG is no stranger to electric power, having dipped its toes into the electric vehicle realm in 2014 with the SLS AMG Electric Drive, which was at the time the fastest and most powerful EV on the market, boasting 740 horsepower. Over the years, the division has amassed considerable expertise, particularly in energy discharging and recovery, thanks to its Formula 1 program.
The transition to electric power is in full swing, with test mules for AMG’s forthcoming EV already making their rounds on public roads. In the near future, we can expect to see the first prototypes sporting the final body design, bringing us one step closer to the electrifying future that Mercedes-Benz AMG envisions.
Source: AutoCar
