2028 Mercedes-AMG GT SUV
Overview
The mad scientists at Mercedes-AMG are back in the lab again, this time cooking up an electric super SUV that incorporates many of the same technologies used in the brand’s newest GT 4-Door EV supercar. The Mercedes-AMG GT SUV will ride on the newest AMG.EA 800-volt electrical architecture and feature a serious performance kit that includes active suspension, variable-geometry aerodynamics, and an underlying construction that uses aluminum and carbon fiber to keep weight to a minimum.
A GT53 model serves as the entry point for the lineup, delivering a claimed 544 horsepower to the pavement courtesy of two axial flux electric motors. Stepping up to the GT55 adds an additional motor to the rear axle and ups output to 816 horsepower. At the top of the trim hierarchy lies the truly ridiculous 1169-hp GT63, which nullifies any excuse for being late to soccer practice.
Expert Tip: Currently, the Porsche Cayenne EV is the only other challenger in the high-performance, electric, mid-size luxury SUV niche—and it’s a formidable foe. A 1139-hp Cayenne Turbo EV recently showed off its lithe moves and blistering 2.1-second sprint to 60 mph at our test track, so the AMG GT SUV better bring the heat if it wants to compete.
What’s New for 2028?
Rather than pumping up a preexisting Mercedes-Benz model, Mercedes’s high-performance AMG division will develop the GT SUV from the ground up—a first for the brand. It will be built on the company’s AMG.EA architecture that also underpins the new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door EV sports car.
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Pricing and Which One to Buy
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
- EV Motors: 544-hp dual motor (GT53), 816-hp tri motor (GT55), 1169-hp (GT63)
- Drivetrain: all-wheel drive
The GT SUV will be offered in three guises: a base GT53, a mid-tier GT55, and a top-dog GT63. The entry-level GT53 will make use of two electric motors, one on each axle, producing a combined output of 544 horsepower. Both the GT55 and GT63 add an additional axial flux motor to the rear, bringing their total motor count to three each. The GT55 is said to produce 816 horsepower, while the beastly GT63 cranks output up to 1169 horsepower.
Control of the drive system is provided by the AMG Race Engineer software accessed via rotary dials nestled in the center console. The Response control allows the adjustment of throttle response, the Agility control affects torque distribution, and the Traction control provides nine stages of adjustability. Active aerodynamics and rear-wheel steering contribute to the performance objectives.
Mercedes-AMG claims that its newly developed Active Ride Control active suspension will allow the mid-size SUV to move with grace through corners without sacrificing ride quality by leveraging active hydraulic elements to keep pitch and roll movements in check. There’s also a synthetic soundtrack that utilizes over 1600 sound files designed to replicate the sound of an inline-six or a V-8 engine at full rip.
0–60-MPH Times
- Claimed 62-mph Time: 4.2 seconds (GT53), 3.1 seconds (GT55), 2.7 seconds (GT63)
In Comparison: The Porsche Cayenne EV is the GT SUV’s most obvious rival, and if reality reflects Mercedes-AMG’s estimates for its electric super SUV, it will beat the Cayenne in all but top trim. At our test track, a Cayenne in its (current) pinnacle Turbo form hit 60 mph in just 2.1 seconds—over half a second quicker than AMG’s estimate for the 1169-hp GT63.
Additional Research
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
- Claimed EV Range: 277-370 miles
The GT SUV will be built on Mercedes-AMG’s newest AMG.EA 800-volt electrical architecture. Buyers will have the choice between two battery pack options, including a 106-kWh pack and a heartier 128-kWh pack. Preliminary data indicate the GT SUV will be capable of between 277 and 370 miles of range depending on the trim and battery configuration, but those early estimates are based on the routinely optimistic European WLTP schedule. We’ll update this section with official EPA estimates as soon as more substantial data becomes available.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
First Row: The GT SUV’s cabin accommodations look appropriately sporty. The driver and front passenger sit low in heavily bolstered bucket seats trimmed in leather and Alcantara. Carbon fiber accents dot the interior, and adjustable ambient lighting bathes nearly every surface.
Second Row: The GT SUV comes with a three-seater bench in the rear; the rear seat backs can be folded down, and the headrests can be folded back electrically.
Cargo Capacity: Mercedes-AMG claims that the GT SUV has around 21 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear with the rear seats in their upright position; with the seats folded, that number increases to 61 cubic feet. There’s also a small frunk for storing overflow trinkets.
As more information becomes available, we’ll update this story with more details about:
- Towing and Payload Capacity
- Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
- Infotainment and Connectivity
- Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
- Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
- C/D Test Results and Specs
Source: www.caranddriver.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.