Mercedes-AMG has unveiled its most powerful electric car yet, the new AMG GT 4-Door Coupé, which features axial flux motors developed by British engineering company Yasa, based in Oxfordshire. The top GT 63 version produces up to 1,169bhp and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 2.1 seconds, with a top speed of 186mph with the optional Driver’s Package.
The car uses three axial flux motors – one at the front and two at the rear – which are much slimmer and more compact than traditional electric motors. The rear motors are around eight centimetres wide, while the front motor measures nine centimetres. The GT 63 produces 2,000Nm of torque, while the lesser GT 55 offers 1,800Nm and 816bhp. Mercedes claims the car can repeat high-performance runs without losing punch, addressing a common weakness in powerful EVs.
The battery uses an 800-volt electrical system with directly cooled cylindrical cells inspired by Formula 1 technology, developed with help from Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth, England. It can charge at up to 600kW, adding almost 286 miles of WLTP range in ten minutes, with a 10 to 80 per cent charge taking 11 minutes. Range is up to 435 miles, and the drag coefficient is 0.22.
To preserve the AMG character, the car features an 'AMGFORCE S+' mode that mimics the sound and feel of a V8 engine, with simulated gearshifts and an 'authentic' V8 soundtrack created from over 1,600 real-time sound files. Drivers also get welcome sounds and a futuristic charging soundtrack.
The car sits on the new AMG.EA platform, with rear-wheel steering, active aerodynamics, and a suspension setup balancing sports-car handling with comfort. Active underbody elements increase downforce, and a rear spoiler adjusts angle based on speed. Rear-wheel steering turns the back wheels up to six degrees for improved agility and stability.
Production starts this summer at Mercedes’ Sindelfingen plant. Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group, said the car 'pushes performance to new limits and delivers the emotion our fans expect – now in the electric era.'
