Mercedes-AMG gives us a ride in its next high-performance EV

Perhaps that’s rightfully so, considering the concept GT XX makes over 1,200 hp (895 kW).

Also, as it sits right now, you must be in the Sport+ setting to experience simulated shifting. When the engineer put it back into Comfort to pass through a village (and not get busted by the speed camera), the car settled back into a comfortable cruiser.

So, does it all work?

Electric vehicles, especially high-performance models geared toward enthusiasts, must be both interesting and efficient. They must be powerful, but also fun. We’re past those first-generation performance EVs and in an era where not being able to make a fun EV isn’t a failure of the technology; it’s a lack of imagination.

The concept Mercedes took me out in is on the right track. Taking the best of previous AMGs to make the sound experience adds a layer of authenticity. Adding in the fun and feeling of gear shifts makes the car more of an experience to be in.

It will need to be an excellent performance car at the end of the day, but Mercedes-AMG is considering the whole experience of driving in its future performance EVs, which is how it will be able to differentiate from its rivals as more EVs hit the market.

Schiebe and the team know they must get it right. Listening to Schiebe talk about the process of coming up with the car and the sound had him grinning from ear to ear. He appears both proud and excited for where this architecture is heading.

I’d prefer it to be even more raucous still, but it’s already leaps ahead of what BMW M and Audi RS are currently doing in terms of performance EVs. The production version of this car should hit showrooms next year.