We’ll be getting AMG-tuned Mercedes EQ electric models after all



When Mercedes-Benz announced its EQ model line-up in October last year, the company tipped that its AMG performance models will also be “going electric” in the future, without expanding further on what that might entail. Well, if anything, Mercedes-Benz COO and R&D boss Markus Schäfer might have just pointed us at the right direction, while speaking to the journalists at the launch of the EQA.

According to a report by Autocar, Schäfer confirmed to a group of media during the launch that “an electrical platform in the direction of AMG is coming”. Although no specific details were given about the new platform, he followed up the statement by saying: “There will be performance variants of the EQA, B, S, E.”

No further details were given, but we’re inclined to think that the all-new EQA will be the first to receive said AMG treatment, given that it was listed first in Schäfer’s list, aside from the fact that it’s a model that already exists.

Other models in the list also include the GLB-based EQB, as well as the EQS and EQE, which will both be available in sedan and SUV form. Schäfer’s list seemingly omitted the C-segment EQC, though we think that it is most likely an accidental exclusion, as the German luxury carmaker will need a model to go up against the likes of the Tesla Model 3 Performance.

As for performance, we can expect to see figures around the 600 hp mark for the larger AMG-tuned EQ models, if Mercedes-Benz wants to seriously compete against the other performance-oriented EVs out there. All-wheel drive is also a given for these models, equipped some fancy torque vectoring function, similar to what Mercedes-Benz already shown-off with their upcoming EQS sedan.

Branding aside, performance-oriented EVs always seemed like the natural progression for Mercedes-Benz’s EQ sub-brand. The introduction of these models will be exceptionally crucial, seeing that the brand’s traditional rivals are all offering performance-variants of their EVs.

BMW will soon unveil its M-tuned i4, and Audi is also offering an RS variant for the all-new e-tron GT at launch – not to mention the hugely popular Tesla Performance line-up, which recently added an even-quicker “Plaid” tri-motor powertrain to its Model S.