Mercedes-AMG has started cold-weather testing for the first prototypes of its high-performance electric SUV.
The tests are being carried out in northern Sweden, near the Arctic Circle, where temperatures can reach as low as -40°C. This stage is crucial for evaluating the vehicle’s components under extreme cold and ensuring the reliability of its new high-performance electric drive system.
The SUV, part of Mercedes-AMG’s new electric vehicle lineup, is the second model to be built on the AMG.EA platform, following the four-door electric coupe, which has also undergone winter testing. The upcoming SUV marks AMG’s first fully unique SUV, as previous AMG SUVs were modified versions of existing Mercedes-Benz models.
Set to debut in 2026, the SUV will feature advanced axial-flux motors and a new high-performance battery system.
The axial-flux motors, which are smaller and lighter than traditional radial-flux motors, offer impressive power density, with a single unit capable of producing up to 480hp. The vehicle’s battery system, drawing from Mercedes’ expertise in Formula 1, is expected to provide enhanced energy discharge, recovery and cooling capabilities.
The SUV’s styling, teased in an official image, shows a sleek and hunkered-down appearance, setting it apart from the more upright Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
While the SUV is expected to be a significant performance machine, with the four-door coupe rumoured to produce over 746kW (1,000hp), the new model is anticipated to rival top-performing electric vehicles like the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.
The AMG EQE 53, by comparison, produces 460kW (617hp), indicating a substantial performance increase for the new electric SUV.
