Back in January 2022, the good folks at Mercedes-Benz AG presented the Vision EQXX concept. Four months later, the AMG division revealed a restyled Vision EQXX in the form of the Vision AMG.
Merc further confirmed that all newly launched vehicle architectures will underpin electric-only vehicles from 2025 onwards, beginning with the Mercedes Modular Architecture of the Concept CLA Class. The MB.EA is for larger automobiles, whereas AMG.EA doesn't need any explanation.
Regarding the Vision AMG mentioned earlier and the AMG.EA platform for performance-oriented vehicles, the successor of the GT 4-Door Coupe has been recently spied as the AMG division's first dedicated electric vehicle. Our photographers caught a couple of prototypes testing in Germany, with said prototypes featuring different alloy wheels front and rear and different camouflage as well.
Both are directly inspired by the Vision AMG concept, which sports a Vision EQXX-derived electric drive unit. More specifically, a dedicated unit comprising the motor, transmission, and power electronics. The German automaker did not confirm any output numbers for the Vision AMG, but did mention "around 150 kW" for the Vision EQXX.
That's 201-odd horsepower, which is worse than a Nissan Leaf with the larger battery. Looking at the bigger picture, remember that AMG is a completely different animal from the Japanese automaker and the NISMO division. The GT 4-Door Coupe's replacement will pack in the ballpark of 1,000 ponies from two electric motors at the least.
Photo: Baldauf
Whatever it will be called, the newcomer has to prove itself against Porsche's upcoming Taycan Turbo GT. Similar to the Tesla Model S Plaid, the yet-to-be-revealed Taycan Turbo GT is believed to pack three electric motors and circa 1,000 ponies.
Gifted with an extendable rear spoiler, massive carbon-ceramic brakes, and five doors rather than four, the GT 4-Door Coupe's heir is proportionally longer and wider. Looking closer at the spy pics, the roofline appears to be lower as well. There is no indication whatsoever of internal combustion, be it an engine radiator or a quartet of exhaust outlets.
Rumored to debut in late 2025 for the 2026 model year, the Vision AMG-inspired liftback will surely polarize opinion. The heavily-anticipated incomer should also accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) much quicker than the hideously underrated Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive, of which only a handful were produced.
A meager nine units were delivered, with Merc asking 416,500 euros (451,885 dollars at current exchange rates or approximately 580,050 dollars adjusted for inflation) from the outset. Four electric motors rated at 740 horsepower and 738 pound-feet (1,000 Nm) enable the SLS AMG Electric Drive to reach 100 clicks in 3.9 seconds. By comparison, the GT 63 S E Performance needs 2.9 seconds. E Performance stands for plug-in hybrid, whereas the internal combustion side of the powertrain is represented by a twin-turbo V8 with 621 horsepower on deck.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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