Mercedes-AMG to introduce electric drivetrains soon. Reveals details of upcoming hybrid powertrains for future AMG models.
AMG, the performance wing of Mercedes-Benz has confirmed their plans of introducing electric vehicles in its line-up very soon. This is said to include both petrol-hybrids and fully-electric performance models.
Currently, Mercedes-AMG is said to be working on two plug-in hybrid drivetrains, under the new ‘E Performance’ name. The first drivetrain will have an electric motor paired with the brand’s 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 petrol engine. While the second drivetrain will be based on the brand’s smaller 2.0-litre four-cylinder power unit.
The most powerful version of the new 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain is said to produce 804 BHP and 1000 Nm. The electric motor will be mounted at the back, powering the rear axle.
The petrol engine will be paired with the brand’s 9-speed automatic gearbox, while the electric motor will have its own 2-speed transmission unit. Mercedes-AMG has stated that depending on the model, the new hybrid powertrain should allow sub-3 second 0–100km/h acceleration times.
The second plug-in hybrid drivetrain, powered by the smaller 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit will be introduced at a slightly later stage. This is the same engine which currently powers the brand’s A45 AMG hot hatch.
However, under the ‘E Performance’ models, this engine will be thoroughly reworked, with significant performance gains being expected. On the new drivetrain, this engine will also be positioned longitudinally (instead of transversely as on the current models), along with an electric motor powering the rear axle.
The biggest update on the second drivetrain though will be the presence of an exhaust-gas turbocharger. MGU-H – as the technology is called, will make its entry into series production models for the first time. This technology until now has been limited to just Formula 1 cars. The MGU-H tech also features on the brand’s Mercedes-AMG Project One hypercar.
As mentioned before, apart from the two petrol-hybrid powertrains, Mercedes-AMG is looking at developing fully-electric vehicles as well. Once introduced, these pure-electric performance AMG models will rival the likes of the Porsche Taycan, Tesla Model 3 and the upcoming BMW i4.
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