AMG going EV

AMG will go electric.

Mercedes’ performance division is preparing for a future not only with hybrids but also fully-electric vehicles in the pursuit of more efficient and more powerful models.

Speaking to Australian media at the 2018 Geneva motor show, AMG CEO Tobias Moers admitted electric AMGs are under consideration but no firm decision has been taken beyond introducing hybrid models, starting with the AMG GT 4-door Coupe. Future AMG hybrids are expected to carry the 'EQ Power+' branding already seen on the company's Formula One racers.

Asked if AMG could offer a fully electric model, Moers said: “That’s a good question. Our portfolio we have today with 43s, and in future with the 35s, 45s and 53s, it doesn’t need to be the top model in our portfolio has to be battery driven. It could be something in our portfolio. This is where we’re working on. There’s nothing decided but this is what we’re working on.”

Mercedes is preparing to launch 10 battery electric vehicles (BEV) under the EQ sub-brand, starting in 2019 with the EQ C. When pushed if AMG will offer its own take on those models Moers was open-minded.

“Maybe we’re going to pick one of the new BEVs and make an AMG derivative out of it, “ he said. “It’s possible. There’s nothing excluded but nothing included as well.”

While an electric AMG may sound strange to fans of the brand, which has a tradition of loud and powerful petrol engines, Moers concedes the world is changing and the brand needs to adapt.

“AMG is a worldwide company and we are in the performance segment,” he explained. “I think that hybridisation and electrification is going to be the key, because you can think on a new dimension, you can think different. And this is what we do.”

The company already some experience with electric power, selling less than 100 examples of the SLS E-Cell (pictured), which was powered by four electric motors instead of the regular 6.2-litre V8.

• For more information, visit our Mercedes-Benz showroom.