Mercedes-AMG Confirms First Details of AMG.EA EV Platform

Mercedes-Benz AMG, which teased two years ago with the Vision AMG Concept, has confirmed the first details of a dedicated electric vehicle platform known as the AMG.EA.

The platform was developed entirely in-house by AMG and is expected to go on sale next year as the successor to the GT 4-door coupe. Prototypes of the new model have recently been spotted conducting winter tests in northern Sweden, and AMG has now released photos of one of the test vehicles.

According to AMG, the AMG.EA platform will introduce many new innovations for the brand, one of which is axial motor technology. In 2021, Mercedes is acquiring Yasa, a British company specializing in high-performance electric motors, which will likely supply axial-flow motors for vehicles based on the AMG.EA platform.

Axial-flow motors are lighter and smaller than conventional radial-flux motors of similar power; Yasa chief Tim Woolmer has previously revealed that a motor weighing just over 50 pounds can produce nearly 500 horsepower. However, the motors are more difficult to manufacture than radial-flux motors and much less cost-effective.

AMG also stated that the AMG.EA platform will use a high-performance, high-voltage battery. This battery will benefit from AMG's experience with the Formula 1 program, particularly in the areas of energy discharge and recovery, and possibly cooling.

Facing stiff competition in the EV space from new entrants like Tesla and Lucid with their Plaid and Sapphire performance options, and established manufacturers like Porsche, AMG will really have to step up its game.