First Sight: Mercedes Vision AMG signals electric road ahead for the performance brand

First impressions of the Vision AMG relied on an exterior only – the concept has no interior – and indicate a strong side profile influence from the recent EQXX prototype shown earlier in 2022 and indeed the 2015 IAA concept too. All three designs major on aerodynamic efficiency and accordingly feature swoopy and long-tailed silhouettes. Where the Vision AMG differs from its conceptual forebears more obviously is at the front.

Its low front overhang appears longer than the EQXX’s and is framed by triple-bar headlamps arranged into twin three-pointed stars on each side, visually connected in-between via a horizontal band of light that can act variously as a welcome signature or constant light. Below that, where an open grille and front air intakes would conventionally sit, there is instead a vertically-arranged row of white LED strips against a solid body section. This creates graphic interest and also references the similarly aligned grille slats – or lamellas – that featured on the marque’s famous 1950s Pan Americana racing cars, as well as the sportier cars in its current AMG range.

To complete the performance and marketing tickbox signalling, exposed carbon-fibre sills, rear diffuser and aero wheels all make visual connections to the highly-successful Mercedes-AMG F1 car through considered use of the emerald green colour associated with the team’s key Petronas sponsor.

Smooth and curvaeous surfacing over the car’s wheelarches and rear shoulders is accentuated further along the flanks of the concept through a silver dot matrix-style paint effect on the side windows and rear window to add to the impression of the concept as a metallic sculpture, rather than a fully-functioning road-going vehicle (just yet). However, Mercedes has shown to journalists such a feature on internal studio prototypes before, and its designers suggested that as the effect is made up of many dots with tiny gaps in-between – in a production car cabin, passengers would still be able to see out, even if onlookers couldn’t see in.

Students of Mercedes design history will also note that the Vision AMG’s solid-looking silver sides and rear also reference numerous iconic (and aero-optimised) cars from the brand’s past, including the late-60s and 1970s C111 prototypes and further back, the 1930s Silver Arrows racing cars too.

The dimensions of the new four-door coupé concept were not divulged but Mercedes did say that the Vision AMG is lower than the 1512mm-high EQS, rolls on 22-inch wheels and clearly has a long wheelbase with a relatively short front overhang and long tail, adjustable via active aero like the EQXX and IAA. Wagener was quick to say the concept “stands for the whole brand, not just for one car” and indeed perhaps its greatest importance is in heralding a new electric platform called AMG.EA architecture dedicated to the performance-oriented brand.

Mercedes-AMG says it features a compact and lightweight design – the Axial Flux Motor has been developed by Mercedes subsidiary YASA – and delivers substantially more power than conventional electric motors. The high-performance high-voltage battery and drive technology is also being called “revolutionary” by the brand.

Time will tell with that bold claim, but we won’t have to wait too long. AMG’s CEO Philipp Schiemer says the first model to utilise this new EV platform will launch in 2025, which seems realistic given Mercedes’ already publicly-stated, wider decision to be fully electric by 2030 with the slight caveat of “wherever market conditions allow”. When that date arrives, don’t expect your AMG to have four big exhaust pipes at the back though. In the forthcoming AMG EV future – as this Vision concept suggests – you’re more likely to get six red and round LED tail lights instead. Go-faster lights at least.