Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the GT SUV, an all-electric five-seater that becomes the world's most powerful production SUV with up to 1153bhp and 1475lb ft of torque. The tri-motor model outpunches the Lotus Eletre and Porsche Cayenne Electric and is the first SUV developed entirely in-house by AMG.
In range-topping GT 63 guise, the car is claimed to accelerate from 0-62mph in 2.7 seconds and reach 124mph from rest in 7.2 seconds, making it AMG's fastest-accelerating SUV to date. Top speed is electronically limited to 168mph with the optional AMG Driver's Package. Those figures are notable given a kerb weight of between 2585kg and 2695kg, depending on model and battery capacity.
The GT 63's peak output matches the recently introduced electric GT 63 4-Door Coupé and surpasses the 1048bhp of the AMG One hybrid hypercar. It also delivers nearly twice the power of the V8-engined GLE 63 S, which produces 603bhp. The GT 63 crowns a three-model line-up that also includes the GT 55 and GT 53.
The GT 53 is already on sale in Germany from €113,050 (£95,863). The 55 and 63 are due to follow in April 2027, with UK prices to be confirmed in the coming months. AMG also plans a more rakish coupé variant, scheduled to debut early next year.
Underpinning the GT SUV is the new AMG.EA platform, shared with the GT 4-Door Coupé. The drivetrain uses three axial-flux electric motors from Mercedes-owned UK firm Yasa, an 800V electrical system and a battery with oil-cooled cylindrical cells. AMG says the set-up has been developed for sustained performance, addressing the tendency of high-powered EVs to reduce output as motor and battery temperatures rise during repeated hard acceleration or prolonged high-speed driving.
While 1153bhp is the headline figure, the GT SUV is rated to deliver a continuous 711bhp, allowing it to maintain performance over extended periods. Two axial-flux motors sit at the rear, each with its own single-speed gearbox to enable full torque vectoring, while a third motor at the front disconnects when not needed.
The GT 55 reduces peak output to 805bhp and 1372lb ft but still reaches 62mph in 3.1 seconds. The entry-level GT 53 uses a different drivetrain with two conventional permanent magnet synchronous motors, one on each axle, producing a combined 536bhp and 590lb ft for a 0-62mph time of 4.2 seconds.
Two usable battery capacities are offered, 106kWh and 128kWh, giving maximum ranges of 364 and 435 miles respectively depending on specification. Maximum charging speed is quoted at 600kW for the smaller battery and 710kW for the larger one. AMG claims the 128kWh pack can add 280 miles of range in 10 minutes, while a 10-80% charge is said to take 12 minutes under ideal conditions, although most UK chargers are capped at much lower speeds.
The GT SUV also offers AMG's Active Ride Control+ system, combining air springs with hydraulically interconnected dampers to control body roll, pitch and dive without conventional anti-roll bars. It is standard on the GT 63 and optional on the GT 55, as are carbon-ceramic brake discs.
Design-wise, AMG's first bespoke SUV adopts an individual look far removed from its combustion-engined range-mates. Key elements include a blanked-off grille with an illuminated surround and eight vertical elements, a lit three-pointed star where regulations permit, and headlights with three elongated elements forming the daytime running light signature. At 5084mm long, 2001mm wide and 1656mm tall, the GT 63 SUV is 130mm longer, 17mm narrower and 126mm lower than the GLE 63 S, with a 3040mm wheelbase that is 45mm longer.
Inside, the GT SUV shares its saloon sibling's driver-centric dashboard, with a 10.2in digital instrument display, a 14.0in central touchscreen and an optional 14.0in passenger touchscreen. The 63 and 55 feature three rotary controls for adjusting throttle response, cornering behaviour and traction control intervention. A flat rear floor, made possible by the taller body, helps packaging, and luggage capacity is quoted at 607 litres behind the rear seats, rising to 1740 litres with the backrests folded. A front luggage compartment offers up to 111 litres.