Mercedes-AMG unveils 1,153 HP GT EV

Mercedes-AMG used its new GT 4-Door Coupe to show how it plans to carry its performance brand into the EV era. The May 19 reveal put a production four-door electric AMG on the road with as much as 1,153 horsepower, three axial-flux motors and an 800-volt battery system derived from technology Mercedes has been previewing through its AMG.EA program. Mercedes is also leaning into theater: the car adds simulated V8 sound, virtual shift points and haptic effects meant to make an EV feel more like a traditional AMG. U.S. deliveries are set to begin with the GT 55 in late 2026 and the GT 63 in early 2027. ### Why is this car a bigger deal than just another fast EV? Mercedes-AMG is using a dedicated electric architecture rather than adapting an existing gasoline model. The car sits on AMG.EA, the in-house performance EV platform Mercedes has been promoting as the basis for its next generation of high-output electric AMGs, and it follows the earlier Concept AMG GT XX technology preview. (electrek.co) The new GT also matters because it becomes AMG’s clearest attempt yet to replace the role the V8 GT 4-Door once played. Autoblog reported the old twin-turbo V8 is gone, while Mercedes’ own AMG.EA material says the new platform is meant to define the brand’s future electric performance lineup. (mbusa.com) ### Where does the 1,153-horsepower number come from? The 1,153-hp figure applies to the top GT 63 version under launch control and with sufficient battery charge. Electrek reported that output comes from a three-motor setup with one motor on the front axle and two on the rear, while MotorTrend said the GT 63 also produces 1,475 lb-ft of torque. (autoblog.com) The lower GT 55 trims that headline back. MotorTrend said the GT 55 is rated at 805 hp and 1,328 lb-ft, giving Mercedes room to offer a less extreme entry point before buyers move into the full-output GT 63. ### What is actually new in the hardware? Mercedes is making the axial-flux motor layout the core engineering story. (electrek.co) Its AMG.EA material says the platform uses three compact motors with one in front and two at the rear, and Electrek said Mercedes describes this as the first series-production EV to use the technology. (motortrend.com) The battery is just as central. MotorTrend said the car uses a liquid-cooled 106-kWh net battery on an 800-volt architecture, while Autoblog said Mercedes claims more than 600 kW charging and a 10% to 80% recharge in about 11 minutes. Mercedes’ AMG.EA page says the battery uses cylindrical cells with direct cooling, a layout the company ties to sustained performance rather than one-off peak numbers. (mbusa.com) ### Why is Mercedes adding fake sound and virtual shifts? Mercedes is trying to preserve familiar AMG cues in a battery-electric car. Electrek said the GT 4-Door adds fake V8 noises, a fake transmission effect and vibrations, while Autoblog said the AMGFORCE Sport+ mode delivers what Mercedes calls an “authentic” AMG V8 sound and simulated gear changes. (motortrend.com) MotorTrend reported the sound is built from recordings of actual AMG V8 engines and generated through a real-time mixing system using more than 1,600 sound files. That puts Mercedes in the same emerging camp as other performance EV makers that are no longer treating silence as the only premium-electric answer. (electrek.co) ### How quick is it, and when can buyers get one? Mercedes says the GT 63 can reach 60 mph in about 2.0 seconds and 124 mph in 6.4 seconds. MotorTrend and Autoblog both reported a 186-mph top speed with the optional driver or performance package, and Autoblog said pricing has not yet been announced. (motortrend.com) The launch timing is already set. Autoblog said the GT 55 reaches the U.S. in late 2026, and MotorTrend said the GT 63 follows in early 2027. That means the first real test for Mercedes-AMG’s electric pitch will come in showrooms, where the company will be asking longtime V8 buyers to accept axial-flux motors, an 800-volt battery and a digitally recreated soundtrack as the new version of AMG performance. (motortrend.com)