How Mercedes-AMG will ditch V8s for EVs

Mercedes-AMG has finally revealed how it will develop electric vehicles with enough performance to replace its iconic V8-powered muscle cars in the future.

Speaking to carsales just hours after pulling the drapes off the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 S 4MATIC+ – AMG's first-ever high-performance EV – chief technical officer Jochen Hermann revealed for the first time its future engineering plans.

The chief engineer of Mercedes-Benz's performance sub-brand confirmed that AMG’s upcoming dedicated EV platform, called EA, plus battery tech lifted from Formula 1 and next-gen in-hub motors will be key to AMG’s transition from petrol to electric power – at least for some models.

“Look at the past of AMG and we've had two paths – one path optimising regular core Mercedes models like the 53 [and] 63 line, and then we've had this other line of creating our own cars,” he said.

“It began with the gullwing SLS and continued with vehicles like the AMG GT, AMG GT 4-Door and now the SL.

“Both paths will be put into the future and of course the new AMG EA architecture will definitely be the path for future standalone AMG cars only.”

Hermann said Mercedes-AMG would not be spun-off to become a standalone brand because, now more than ever, the Daimler sub-brand will need to draw technical resources from the 'mothership'.

In future, the Mercedes-Benz performance brand will battle its rivals with truly state-of-the-art technology and engineering, and at the heart of its strategy will be weight management.

Hermann admits that with a kerb weight nearing 2.7 tonnes, the AMG version of the EQS limousine will never truly be a car that tempts owners to have fun with at a racetrack, which is why there won't be a 63 version.

Instead, AMG’s flagship 63 numerals will be reserved for dedicated AMG models underpinned by the AMG-developed EA platform, which allows significant weight savings and can be embedded with cutting-edge technologies, ensuring strong power-to-ratios and efficiency.

The next decision is perhaps a little more controversial in a world where consumers are currently obsessed with EV range.

Instead of energy density, AMG says it will target power density – the ability of the power unit to deploy maximum current over prolonged periods for sustained maximum power.

Further reducing weight, smaller and lighter next-gen batteries will reduce driving range but offer faster charging, so although the distance between charges will be capped at around 500km, the cells will be capable of withstanding far more than the current 350kW ultra-fast charging rates.

“I think fast charging is something people would love to have with an AMG and since it's built-into a 63 that's another benefit,” said Hermann.

But weight reduction and fast charging are just the start. Next AMG will leverage its parent company's recent purchase of YASA – a small British-based firm that has developed next-generation in-hub axial motors as previewed by the Concept EQG 4x4.

The benefit of the new electric motors over traditional radial motors is their ultra-compact size, light weight, huge power output and the fact they can be fitted to all four wheel to provide unprecedented levels of torque vectoring.

Factor in new braking technology, advanced composite materials and the aerodynamic knowhow accrued while developing the Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar and Hermann hopes AMG’s new breed of supercars will be unbeatable.

“It's maybe the most challenging, most exciting time to be working at AMG. We can make history,” he said.