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Mercedes-AMG electric SUV spied ahead of October debut
Mercedes-AMG's first dedicated electric SUV has been spotted with lighter camouflage ahead of its October 17 reveal in Stuttgart, with a tri-motor setup expected to deliver up to 1,153 hp.
By Edward Beaumont · 3 min read
Mercedes-AMG is preparing to unveil its first dedicated electric SUV, with a prototype caught testing in significantly lighter camouflage ahead of a planned debut on October 17. The high-riding model, codenamed X591, will be the sibling of the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe and the second standalone model from the performance division.
The latest spy photographs show the SUV with a clearer view of its greenhouse and a silhouette that blends the lines of a coupe-SUV with those of a sporty estate. An aerodynamic roofline and muscular shoulders give the model a more aggressive stance than the standard Mercedes-Benz electric range, while the remaining camouflage does little to hide its proportions.
Distinctive design details include a lighting signature with Y-shaped LEDs at the front, an oversized grille and round taillights that appear to be becoming a trademark for AMG's standalone models. The prototype also wears black alloy wheels with five double spokes, sitting in front of large brake discs with yellow calipers.
Underneath, the SUV rides on the dedicated AMG.EA platform with an 800-volt electrical system. It will use axial-flux electric motors developed by Yasa and battery technology inspired by Formula 1, including direct liquid cell cooling. The flagship tri-motor configuration is expected to produce up to 1,153 hp and 2,000 Nm of torque, enough for a 0-100 km/h sprint in around 2.5 seconds. A dual-motor variant with 805 hp and 1,800 Nm is also expected to be offered.
Despite being fully electric, the model will aim to replicate the character of a combustion-engined AMG through the AMGFORCE S+ system. That setup uses internal and external speakers to generate detailed simulated V8 sounds, alongside simulated gearshifts, in an effort to preserve the sensory experience associated with the brand's petrol performance cars.
The SUV is expected to inherit the 106 kWh battery from the GT 4-Door Coupe, supporting DC charging speeds of up to 600 kW. That would allow it to add around 460 km of range in ten minutes of charging. Chassis technology will include AMG Active Ride Control air suspension with semi-active roll stabilisation and a rear-axle steering system, which is visible in the spy shots.
Inside, the cabin is expected to follow the screen-heavy layout of the coupe, with additional space for passengers and luggage. The model represents a significant expansion of AMG's electric ambitions, moving the division beyond modified versions of Mercedes-Benz models and into a dedicated performance architecture.
The official debut is scheduled for October 17 at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. The date coincides with the 140th anniversary of Karl Benz patenting the first automobile, a fitting backdrop for a model that aims to carry AMG's performance identity into the electric era.
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