Not only has Mercedes-AMG not learned from BMW M, it’s trying something with an even bigger risk of falling on its Panamericana face. Now it’s trying to build hype ahead of its reveal, giving us another look at the first-ever purpose-built AMG SUV.
Not only will it be the first AMG-exclusive SUV, it will be one propelled solely by electric power.
This Mysterious SUV Is A Taller, Angrier AMG GT
AMG GT SUV teaserMercedes-AMG
AMG’s teaser images show a very aggressively-styled SUV hiding under a black cover, but it’s also nothing we weren’t expecting. The basic shape of the front end is that of the AMG GT 4-Door, but taller. The grille is taller and more upright, the headlights are longer and stretch the Mercedes-Benz star rearward, and the wheel arches bulge outward and upward around what will be massive tires and wheels.
At the rear, the SUV has a coupe-like slope to the roof, but that’s nothing new for the brand that already makes crossover-coupe versions of the GLC and several other SUVs. At the very back, we can see signs of a hefty spoiler midway up the hatch.
A detailed shot of the rear lamp shows a single star-design light. This is the design Mercedes-Benz first used on the CLA concept a few years ago, and it has been making its way to other Mercedes models since then. The AMG GT 4-Door has three of those lights on each side, while the SUV appears to have just one.
The headlights on this teaser are not the same as those we’ve seen in previous spy photos, but the rest of the design is. This is our first look at production-ready taillights on the vehicle, though, which does help reveal more of the SUV’s attitude.
Will AMG’s SUV Find The Buyers BMW Couldn’t Reach?
AMG GT SUV teaserMercedes-AMG
With the AMG GT 4-Door EV, Mercedes-AMG let Porsche know in no uncertain terms that the Taycan was no longer king of the hill for electric sports sedans. The AMG SUV is meant to do the same thing to the Cayenne Electric, a model that has barely reached dealers at this point.
It is also the first Mercedes-Benz model to attempt what the BMW XM was unsuccessful at: launching a stand-alone SUV for the performance arm of the company that’s different from anything else in the lineup. Though at least AMG has a history with the 4-Door and AMG GT coupes to lean on.
This SUV will share a platform with the coupe, so it’s almost certain it will use the same hardware. That impressive hardware includes up to 1,153 horsepower from three axial flux electric motors, along with 1,475 pound-feet of torque. The cars can hit 186 miles per hour flat out, and the more powerful one can do zero to 60 mph in 2.2 seconds.
AMG also uses new lithium battery cells designed to dissipate enough heat for AMG use. They’re among the fastest to recharge, but they can also handle racetrack levels of rapid discharge.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
AMG GT SUV teaserMercedes-AMG
This could be one of AMG’s most challenging launches. A stand-alone SUV is one thing, but making it electric will be a tough sell in some markets. One thing is for sure, though, it will offer faster acceleration than any Mercedes-Benz SUV has ever done before.
The company hasn’t announced a release date, but with this latest teaser we expect it soon. Possibly even this week as part of Monterey Car Week.
