Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the Vision AMG, which previews its plans for a new standalone electric performance saloon to rival the Porsche Taycan. The production version, due in 2025, will be the first AMG model to sit atop the company’s dedicated AMG.EA electric car platform – a structure conceived around a compact battery designed to allow a lower and more sporty shape than the existing EVA electric car platform.
- Design inspired heavily by the Vision EQXX
- Will be the first model to sit on the new AMG.EA platform
- Will use compact axial-flux motors for greater efficiency and power
“We’ve taken full advantage of the new platform in both the design and proportions,” said Robert Lesnik, head of Mercedes-Benz exterior design. “The Vision AMG shows what we are planning: a low and sleek saloon with outstanding aerodynamics and the space to accommodate four adults in comfort.”
Design inspired by the Vision EQXX
It draws heavily on the distinctive lines established on the wind-cheating Vision EQXX – the saloon concept that recently covered 1,000km on a single charge on a development drive from Stuttgart to Nice. Key exterior design elements for the Vision AMG includes a blanked-off version of AMG’s signature Panamericana grille with an illuminated frame and 10 vertical bars.
“Without the concerns of packaging an internal combustion engine within the front end, we’ve been able to make the bonnet very low and add greater volume to the fenders. The AMG.EA platform gives us lots of freedom in terms of design,” Lesnik said. Accentuating the sporting lines is an extended dash-to-axle, comparatively low cowl, heavily raked windscreen, shallow, tapered glasshouse and a plunging roofline.
Although not seen on the design model, Mercedes-Benz says the production version of the Vision AMG will receive four frameless doors as well as a large liftback-style tailgate, which is similar to that planned for the upcoming second-generation GT coupe.
Mercedes-Benz is yet to provide any detail on how it will be developed for the production model, but our sister publication Autocar UK has been told that the round red tailpipe graphic of the concept will be reflected in the tail-lamp design of the new AMG model.
As on the Vision EQXX, active aerodynamics is also set to play a key role, along with a rear spoiler that deploys to increase downforce at speed.
Mercedes Vision AMG: interiors
The cabin of the Vision AMG sits well within the fenders and tapers back. Unlike Mercedes-Benz’s EVA platform, which boasts a completely flat floor, the AMG.EA structure has been designed to accommodate footwells in the rear, with elements of the battery housed underneath the rear seat.
“This allows for greater space and comfort in the rear,” says Lesnik. “We’ve created a very low car, but, with the long wheelbase, it will also be a proper four-seater.”
At 5,100mm in length, the new EV is marginally longer than the Mercedes-AMG GT 4Matic 4-door and 147mm longer than the Porsche Taycan. The wheelbase alone stretches to over 3,000mm.
Mercedes Vision AMG: battery and powertrain
The AMG.EA platform will feature a cell-to-chassis design with the battery pack forming part of the structure to give the new saloon the lowest centre of gravity among any previous Mercedes-Benz models.
The carmaker is yet to provide any details on the drivetrain, but recently acquired engineering firm YASA's electric motors are set to be used exclusively in the AMG.EA platform. YASA, which now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, specialises in compact ‘axial-flux’ motors, claimed to offer greater efficiency and power at a lower weight and more compact size than the radial units used by Mercedes-Benz’s current EVs.
“With higher power density and continuous torque delivery we will redefine the future of driving performance,” says Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG. “We’re developing everything from scratch.”
A range of different set-ups offering differing outputs are possible, including single- and dual-motor systems – the latter offering full torque vectoring functionality through a 4Matic four-wheel drive system.
The new EV is also earmarked to receive its own bespoke battery with cells reserved exclusively for AMG models – a step that has already been taken with the newly introduced GT63 E-Performance plug-in-hybrid. Mercedes-Benz has confirmed it will use a new silicon anode material from US firm Sila in production models from 2025, offering a 40 percent improvement in energy density over existing graphite anodes, and thus, boosting range substantially.
Mercedes-Benz in India
The Stuttgart-based carmaker launched the 2022 C-Class this month, and the updated Mercedes-Maybach S 580 in March. Globally, it is gearing up to launch the new GLC and the Mercedes-AMG C 43.
What are your thoughts on the Mercedes-AMG Vision AMG? Let us know in the comments.
Also see:
2022 Mercedes Benz C Class: Tech review
Mercedes-Maybach S 580 review: Better than the Best?