AMG, Mercedes' in-house high-performance brand, has revealed something of what it plans for an electric future. The Vision AMG is a long, low, sleek four-door coupe, which pinches styling cues from the ultra-long-range Mercedes Vision EQXX electric concept car and which previews an upcoming rival to the Porsche Taycan. It should go into production in 2025.
Bespoke electric platform
The Vision AMG rides on an ultra-long wheelbase that stretches to more than 3.0 metres. The car rides on a new, dedicated electric car platform that's related to the EVA chassis used by the Mercedes EQS and EQE, but which includes specific modifications to allow for a lower profile and for elevated performance. It's called the AMG.EA platform.
The styling is very clearly influenced by the recent EQXX prototype, the electric Mercedes that was driven more than 1,000km from Stuttgart to the south of France without recharging. The rear haunches and chopped-off 'Kamm' tail are very reminiscent of the EQXX, but there are some AMG-specific details, such as the line-up of round brake lights that are meant to remind you of glowing hot exhausts.
Along the sides, shut-lines have been kept to a minimum to improve aero performance, while at the front you get a new interpretation of the AMG 'Panamericana' grille (which is just there for looks - its entirely blanked off behind the vertical struts) and dramatic three-piece headlights that mimic the shape of the Mercedes three-pointed star. The two headlamps are connected via the horizontal band of light above the grille. This light band can display a variety of animations - ranging from a welcome signature to constant light.
Clever battery for longer range
Power, a figure that Mercedes is not yet quoting, comes from two bespoke axial-flux electric motors, one for each axle. These have been specifically developed for AMG, in co-operation with UK-based electric and battery expert YASA, a company that Mercedes bought out a couple of years ago. The battery will also be bespoke, and will feature input from another Mercedes subsidiary, Sila, which has been developing new silicon anode technology that is said to boost the range of an EV by as much as 40 per cent. Other bespoke touches include a battery pack that has scoops built into the structure, which creates footwells in an otherwise flat floor, allowing the car's occupants to be sat lower.
The Vision AMG's colour scheme contains clear nods to Mercedes' F1 team, with silver paintwork featuring a large-format star pattern across the shoulders and rear wings, functional elements in exposed carbon fibre, the aerodynamic design of the 22-inch wheels with aero claddings, the AMG logo and elements on the sills and diffuser in the Petronas colours. Which is kind of ironic, when you remember that Petronas, which sponsors the F1 team, is a fuel and oil giant...
Active aerodynamics
There will be active aerodynamic elements, as on the EQXX, including a moving rear spoiler. For maximum aero smoothness, there are neat little touches such as the Mercedes badge on the leading edge of the bonnet being etched into the bodywork, rather than a badge that sits up slightly.
"AMG is reinventing itself. As was once the case with our founding fathers, there has been an amazing feeling of new beginnings here in Affalterbach for quite some time now. The course has been well and truly set for an electrified future, and we've set the bar high. That's because our customers expect something very special from all-electric cars. We have already well and truly proven our expertise in this regard with the SLS AMG Electric Drive, our own E Performance hybrid technology and the first Mercedes-EQ derivatives. With this study, we are now offering a first glimpse of how we are transferring the AMG DNA into the all-electric future, starting in 2025. Gorden and his team are pointing the way from a visual perspective with this extraordinary design. At AMG, we have always stood for that extra shot of emotion, driving fun, handling, ingenious aerodynamic features and other innovative solutions. And that's what we continue to stand for with our first BEV developed entirely in Affalterbach. We're developing everything from scratch, from the dedicated AMG.EA platform to the revolutionary drivetrain technology with which we will take performance electric mobility to a whole new level," says Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
"The Vision AMG shows in spectacular style what electrification could look like at Mercedes-AMG, while staying true to the brand aesthetic. The study's extreme proportions create fascination and passion for performance - that's what AMG is all about. The Vision AMG is an impressive embodiment of the brand's dual polarity - the interplay of beauty and the extraordinary. At the same time, elements from the future, such as the light signatures with the illuminated high-tech grille, underscore the progressive evolution of our design language of Sensual Purity," says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. "With its contrasting modern surfacing and radical proportions, this car showcases the next design step, building on the Vision EQXX and moving further towards performance luxury. The seamless flow of beautifully formed surfaces and the monolithic sculpture complete the powerful aesthetic of the Vision AMG. The result is an electric supercar, a style icon that stimulates desire - and that's exactly what sets a luxury sports car apart."