Mercedes-AMG GT SUV Packs 1153 Horsepower Into Its First Electric Form

Mercedes-AMG spent 59 years building its reputation on hand-finished engines and aggressive tuning, yet its first full-size SUV developed entirely in Affalterbach arrives with no combustion engine at all. Built on the AMG.EA architecture that also underpins the electric GT 4-Door Coupe, the 2028 GT SUV reaches U.S. dealers in summer 2027 in three versions that share a low, wide stance, a 0.27 drag coefficient, and standard rear-axle steering that can turn the rear wheels up to six degrees.

The GT 63 SUV sits at the top of the line, with a powerful setup of three axial-flux motors, one up front and two in the back, that together hammer out a mammoth 1,153 horsepower and 1,475 pound-feet of torque at its peak, while maintaining a constant 711 horsepower. Mercedes claims a 0-60 mph pace of 2.4 seconds from a one-foot rollstart, however this increases slightly to 2.6 seconds without. In addition, the GT 63’s top speed is limited to 168 mph. The GT 55 SUV uses the same three-motor layout for 805 peak horsepower and 1,372 pound-feet, with the same continuous output and an optional 168 mph top speed. Both draw from a 128 kWh usable battery on an 800-volt system.

The GT 53 SUV is an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers. That car has two standard permanent-magnet motors and a two-speed transmission on the rear axle, resulting in 536 peak horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Its steady-state output reduces to 362 horsepower, and it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 3.7 seconds with a rollstart. The top speed is limited to 143 mph. It’s also a bit smaller, with only a 106 kWh battery. All three of these vehicles employ the same cylindrical battery cells, which contain an NCMA cathode and a silicon anode that claim to provide more than 298 Wh/kg at the cell level, and are then covered by a non-conductive lubricant for further cooling.

What really stands out about these cars is how quickly they charge. With the larger battery, the top charging speed is 710 kW over DC, which allows you to get from 10 to 80% in a very acceptable 12 minutes, or up to 282 miles of WLTP range in just 10 minutes provided the charging is done properly. The smaller pack has a maximum power output of 600 kW and requires around 11 minutes to complete the same task. Official range estimates vary up to 435 miles for the big-battery cars and around 415 miles for the GT 53, while EPA statistics have yet to be released. However, because 710 kW chargers will not be widely available for some time, most individuals will likely charge at a slower rate at existing stations.

AMG has recently introduced ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL+, a cutting-edge suspension system that combines active pitch and roll stabilization, replacing the need for anti-roll bars with hydraulic bits and a three-chamber air spring system. Not only that, but the front of the car has an active AEROKINETICS roof spoiler that ingeniously regulates airflow in response to speed and cooling needs, and the front louvers are also adjustable.

On the inside, the main action is focused on the driver display, which has merged with a rather large 14-inch central screen, though a secondary passenger display is available with the higher trim options, and there is a reasonable amount of space behind the rear seats, around 21.4 cubic feet, as well as a small front trunk. AMG has also included an option to switch to AMGFORCE Sport+ mode, which does a pretty good job of piping the recorded sounds of a snarling V8 or 6-cylinder engine through to the speakers and even throws in some seat vibration for good measure. There is also an option to use the steering-wheel paddles to give the driving experience a few highly realistic simulated gearshift moments. In addition, three dials let you to adjust the response, handling, and traction of this beast, depending on which high-end trim version you’re driving, of course.

As for pricing, we’re still waiting to hear, although in Europe, the GT 53 has begun taking orders for around €113,050, with the pricier models arriving later in Spring 2027. It’s worth noting that the GT SUV weighs a hefty 5,900 pounds when fully loaded, but by some miracle, it still fits a few more passengers in the back than the saloon equivalent (which is a big plus), and another nice touch is that the driving position remains suitably low and sporty. What really needs to be seen is if this potent blend of strong performance, fast charging, and intelligent active chassis technology can actually translate into a car that is genuinely usable on a daily basis, and that won’t be obvious until the first few samples hit the roads next summer.
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