The concept packs more power than any of those rivals, as well as a higher top speed and quicker charging times - all of which bodes well for the production version, which will be positioned as an electric alternative to the current gas-powered GT 4-Door Coupe.
But AMG still has a dilemma. While blisteringly fast, electric vehicles still can't match cars with combustion engines for emotion, due mostly to the lack of sound and feel provided by electric motors. Now imagine the challenge AMG faces in trying to convince its brand loyalists - who have grown up on rip-snorting V8 and V12 engines - to make the switch to electric power. Its solution is to take a leaf out of Hyundai N's playbook.
Adding Emotion To EVs
Speaking to Autocar following the reveal of the GT XX concept, Mercedes-Benz R&D boss Markus Schäfer hinted that AMG could not only simulate the sound of a fiery V8 or V12 engine in its upcoming super sedan, but also the feel of the engine’s vibration and the shifts of a multi-gear transmission - the same as what Hyundai introduced in the Ioniq 5 N.
In the GT XX, AMG used headlights with integrated speakers that produce sounds to warn pedestrians of the car. And we know from prototypes of the production model that the sounds the external speakers produce mimic a throaty V8 engine - which is likely repeated inside the cabin. AMG released a teaser video last week depicting one of the prototypes and the sound blaring. There’s also a cutoff in the sound as the prototype accelerates - like when a gear is shifted in a gas car - pointing to a feature that simulates a transmission.
“How does the car feel in terms of noise, in terms of sound level, in terms of the vibration, in terms of the gearshift? It has to touch the emotional side of you. And if it doesn't, it doesn't do the job. This is what AMG cars do, and that's exactly what we transferred piece by piece into this AMG GT XX.”
- Markus Schäfer, Mercedes-Benz Chief Technology Officer
More Than Just A Gimmick
In the Ioniq 5 N, speakers inside and outside the car are used to play engine sounds, with the driver able to choose from multiple sound profiles. Then there's a feature that simulates an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, including letting the driver choose when to shift.
It's all powered by software that controls the electric powertrain. By cutting power momentarily, the car exhibits a jerking sensation, like when a gear is shifted in a gas-powered car. The way power is delivered is also managed to act in a non-linear fashion, once again mimicking a gas car where power levels change as revs build.
While it may seem gimmicky, it’s proven to be a lot of fun in the Ioniq 5 N. Head of BMW's M division, Frank van Meel, has also previously praised how the technology can provide a sense of how fast a car is accelerating - and the speeds it’s reaching - without the driver actually having to look down at the gauges. This can be handy in extreme situations, like on a racetrack, although BMW doesn't plan to adopt it on its future EVs.
AMG's upcoming electric sedan, shown above in teasers, should still deliver plenty of excitement, without the need for these features - at least for most owners. The car is shaping up to be one of the fastest four-doors on the planet, thanks to technologies like its AMG.EA dedicated EV platform and Yasa axial-flux motors.
In the GT XX concept, AMG uses three of the motors - one at the front and two at the rear - to produce more than 1,341 horsepower. The system is also capable of charging at an impressive 850 kilowatts at 1,000 amps, which enables 249 miles of range to be added in just five minutes of charging - assuming a suitable DC fast charger can be found. The technology will also be used for an electric SUV that AMG plans to launch shortly after the sedan.
The only performance metric AMG announced for the GT XX is a top speed of 223 mph, which, if maintained for the production model, will make it faster than even AMG's One hypercar, which tops out at 219 mph.
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