Mercedes-Benz AMG announced in November its plans to launch an electric SUV distinct from any model in the regular Mercedes lineup.
On Thursday, the Mercedes performance division released the first photo of a prototype, though details are difficult to discern due to heavy camouflage. A teaser sketch released alongside November’s original announcement hints at a sleek, almost fastback design with powerful haunches.
AMG shared the photo of the prototype to mark the start of the SUV’s public testing. The testing is currently taking place in northern Sweden, near the Arctic Circle, where temperatures at this time of year can drop as low as -40 degrees.
The SUV, which AMG has described as belonging to the full-size category, will be the second vehicle based on AMG’s dedicated EV platform, known as the AMG.EA platform. The first vehicle will be a large four-door coupe, prototypes of which have been testing in public for the past year.
Prototype for first EV fully developed by Mercedes-Benz AMG
The four-door coupe, designed to serve as an electric alternative to AMG’s current GT 4-Door Coupe liftback, is expected to debut first, likely in late 2025. The SUV is anticipated to make its debut sometime in 2026.
AMG stated that the AMG.EA platform will introduce a new high-performance battery concept and take advantage of axial-flux electric motor technology. The battery is expected to leverage AMG’s F1 expertise, particularly in energy discharge, recovery, and possibly cooling.
The axial-flux motors are likely to benefit from insights from Yasa, a British firm specializing in high-performance electric motors that Mercedes acquired in 2021. Axial-flux motors are lighter and smaller than conventional radial-flux motors of similar output. For example, a motor weighing just over 50 pounds can deliver approximately 480 hp, and multiple units can be installed. However, manufacturing them is more complex than radial-flux motors, making them significantly more expensive.