Mercedes-AMG Unveils Its First In-House Electric GT SUV With Up to 1,169hp

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the all-new AMG GT SUV, marking the German automaker's first full-size performance electric vehicle developed completely in-house. The five-seat luxury model shares its underpinnings with the GT 4-Door Coupe and comes in three main variants: the GT 53, the GT 55, and the top-tier GT 63.

Performance And Variants

The entry-level GT 53 uses two traditional radial-flux permanent-magnet synchronous motors with a two-speed gearbox at the rear, putting out 544 horsepower and 800Nm of torque to reach 100kph in 4.2 seconds. Meanwhile, the mid-spec GT 55 and peak GT 63 employ a tri-motor setup featuring two axial-flux motors at the rear and one up front that disengages when not needed. The GT 55 produces 816 horsepower and 1,860Nm of torque for a 3.1-second sprint, while the range-topping GT 63 delivers a massive 1,169 horsepower and 2,000Nm of torque, hitting 100kph in just 2.7 seconds. According to Car and Driver, Mercedes has invested heavily in scaling up axial-flux motor production to bring this technology into series production at a lower cost than exotic hypercars.

Design And Technology

The SUV measures 5,084mm long, 2,001mm wide, and 1,656mm tall with a 3,040mm wheelbase. Its exterior features an optional illuminated grille, star-shaped daytime running lights, active bumper slats, and a drag coefficient as low as 0.27. Inside, the dashboard houses a 10.2-inch instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen powered by the MB.OS software, which integrates artificial intelligence assistants like ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini. The vehicle offers a 607-litre main boot alongside a 78-litre front trunk.

Range And Charging

The GT 53 packs a 106kWh battery offering a WLTP range of up to 668km, while the GT 55 and GT 63 utilize a larger 128kWh battery pack with a capacity increased by 22 percent over the sedan, delivering up to 700km of range. These 800-volt systems support DC fast charging up to 600kW and 710kW respectively, taking about 11 to 12 minutes to replenish from 10 to 80 percent. The GT 53 will launch first, followed by the more powerful variants in spring 2027, though plans for the Indian market remain unannounced.

Context

Axial-flux electric motors are typically reserved for rare, expensive hypercars because they are difficult to manufacture in large volumes, making Mercedes' move to use them in a series-production SUV notable. Electric vehicle architectures in this class use high-voltage 800-volt systems to enable ultra-fast charging speeds and reduce thermal stress during heavy performance driving.