Mercedes-AMG Drops An Electric SUV Beast—And The Internet Is Divided. We Got An Exclusive Peek

Here’s the big automotive news of the week - after the much debated Tesla theatrics - Mercedes-AMG just dropped its first ever luxury SUV developed ground up, in-house by AMG. And it’s an all-electric. As you would expect, social media was polarised. Purists were quick to point out the absence of the unmistakable throaty sound of the V8, and lamented AMG’s electric direction. That aside, it really is quite a stunning piece of engineering with some nifty design cues that got us raving.

In the sidelines of the Stuttgart carmaker’s 140th anniversary celebrations, Robb Report India, got first access to the all new Mercedes-AMG GT SUV, which is best summarised as a luxury SUV with the spirt of a fiery sports car. 

On the outside, it’s a treat for the eyes - the illuminated front grille, its dramatic sloping roofline and muscular shoulders culminate in a rear black panel with three turbine-style lights. Aerodynamic elements like the rear spoiler, inlets on the side and AMG styling that will appeal to car geeks. 

On the inside, it’s pure pilot mode - the cabin gets a sporty design with its chrome metal, black surface accents and driver-focused cockpit, especially with its unmistakable AMG steering wheel and paddle shifters. What I instantly notice as I sit in the car is how I feel ‘lower’ like in a sports car, rather than higher like in a traditional SUV. For me, a nice touch is that the 14-inch central touchscreen that is beautifully angled towards the driver rather than being at a straight angle to the front passengers, in addition to 10.2-inch digital cluster. 

The centre console features three knobs that the marque is calling ‘Race Engineer’, which shows three options - Response control, Agility and Traction - that truly gives you that complete control of your drive experience, should you wish to use them. The front of the cabin is flanked by two oversized aviation engine-style AC vents, which add a nice touch. The panoramic sunroof is digitally controlled with the Sky Control feature, where you can decide the transparency or opacity of the glass, or create bespoke ambient lighting. But here’s the catch, it is a luxury SUV after all, and should you wish to be chauffeured around the backseat proves to be rather ample with amazing head room, electric adjustable seats and ample stowage space. I would almost always be behind the wheel of this car, but the backseat is good enough for me. The cabin is a winner for me! 

And finally, I have to say this - while this electric SUV might not come with a naturally-produced exhaust sound, there is a soundtrack produced as I turn the steering wheel knob to the Sport+ mode, and, the seats are built with integrated shakers to recreate the feeling of driving a pure performance-led AMG. If you’re wondering about the G-force factor, its claimed 0-100 kmph sprint is enough to thrill with its maximum power output of 1,169 hp from a 128 kWh battery. 

The Mercedes-AMG GT SUV is slated for an India release next year, with no official confirmation of date.