Mercedes-AMG Boss Says GT Concept’s 800 HP Hybrid V8 Will Go Into Production

Mercedes-AMG has recently started electrifying its range, with the addition of the ’53’ models. This powertrain is available in the CLS, E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet, and adds an EQ Boost starter-alternator that feeds the 48V electrical system.

In combination with the twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six petrol engine, the total output – channeled to both axles via a nine-speed automatic transmission – is 435 PS (429 HP / 320 kW) and 520 Nm (384 lb-ft) of torque. But Mercedes-AMG is planning something more extreme, as the brand’s chief, Tobias Moers, recently told DigitalTrends.

“Maybe you remember the GT Concept from Geneva last year. It had a V8 engine in the front and an electric motor on the rear axle”, said Moers. “Everything is in development. It will go into production one day.”

The show car’s powertrain produced in excess of 800 horsepower and used the omnipresent twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, while the company claimed that it needed less than 3 seconds to hit the 100 km/h (62 mph) mark from a standstill.

These specs will probably carry over

Since the hybridized powertrain is still in development, it’s hard to comment about its final output. However, when asked if it will be as powerful as the one in the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept, Moers simply said “more or less, yeah.”

In addition to working on the new petrol-electric powertrain, Merc’s performance division will allegedly develop a battery pack, too. Also, they will shave some kilograms by using carbon fiber and make sure that the specific AMG tone is there.

“If you run 12 miles (19 km) in electric mode, then maybe it’s okay to have your freedom and it’s quiet. We’re not fully done with it, though. We do a lot of research together with companies, musicians, gaming people to find what could be the right sound for an electric-driven AMG. We’re not done with that journey; we’re just collecting a lot of input”, he Moers.

Mercedes-AMG Project One technologies coming to other vehicles

Inspired by Formula 1, the Mercedes-AMG Project One features some innovative technologies. Some of these, like electric turbocharging, will be used in other road-going vehicles made by AMG in the near future. The system is already used in other production cars, such as the Audi SQ7, and is claimed to eradicate turbo lag.

“You can expect some technologies transferred from Project One to our other cars”, commented Tobias Moers. “We are chasing performance with hybrids, not long range. We could do that, but our first approach is a performance approach.”

Note: Mercedes-AMG GT Concept pictured