Future Mercedes-AMG Models Will Get PHEV Options With 121 HP Electric Motor

Mercedes-AMG has confirmed that all of its vehicles will be eventually offered with plug-in hybrid powertrains.

Vehicles such as the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53, E53, and new GLE 53 already feature mild-hybrid powertrains which couple a six-cylinder engine with the company’s 48-volt starter and generator electric motor that produces 22 hp and 184 lb-ft (249 Nm).

While these models are more fuel efficient than their ICE-only counterparts, Mercedes head of external affairs for emissions Frank Overmeyer admits that they aren’t part of the company’s long-term strategy.

“All the AMG vehicles will be available in the future with plug-in hybrids as an option. Mild hybrid is not the strategy of AMG, because the emissions savings are too small,” he said.

Autocar reports that future Mercedes-AMG plug-in hybrids will be outfitted with the car manufacturer’s third-generation PHEV system, already offered in variations of the C-Class, E-Class, and S-Class. This incorporates a powerful electric motor with 121 hp and 325 lb-ft (440 Nm) of torque while offering an all-electric range of 31 miles (50 km).

Mercedes-AMG will brand this system EQ Power+ when used by its models but it will likely feature more power and less electric range than normal Mercedes-Benz models.

“The battery itself and the application, including the electric motor, will be the same, and you can have a significant boost [in performance] that will reduce the range, but the experience will be better. Same battery, same drivetrain, different application. In an SUV, it might offer 100km [62 miles]. It might only be 60km or 70km [37-43 miles] in an AMG,” Overmeyer said.

If Mercedes-AMG were to add this electric motor to its existing models, we could have some extraordinarily-fast vehicles on our hands. Just imagine, a future hybrid A45 with a 400 hp four-cylinder and a 121 hp electric motor. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, perhaps a Mercedes-AMG G63 with a 585 hp engine and a 121 hp electric motor?