Future Mercedes-AMG EVs could simulate sounds, vibrations, gearshifts of past V8, V12-powered models

Mercedes-AMG appears set to mimic the characteristics of internal combustion engines in its upcoming EV models in order to reach the “emotional” benchmarks of its previous V8 and V12-powered models, Autocar has reported.

The performance brand could go as far as simulating gearchanges and the vibrations of engines for a more immersive experience for keen drivers, said Mercedes-Benz chief technical officer Markus Schäfer.

“How does the car feel in terms of noise, in terms of sound level, in terms of the vibration, in terms of the gearshift? It has to touch the emotional side of you. And if it doesn’t, it doesn’t do the job. This is what AMG cars do, and that’s exactly what we transferred piece by piece into this AMG GT XX,” Schäfer said.

On that aural front, the Concept AMG GT XX features a headlamp housing that forms part of an external speaker for the audio output, and the design is aimed at saving space and weight. The remarks by Schäfer indicate that the brand will also go in the direction of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N with its N e-Shift feature that simulates gearshifts as well as engine braking.

The German marque’s chief technical officer said that the flexibility of the axial-flux electric motors in the GT XX are key essential to this ambition, the publication wrote. Mercedes-AMG says that the axial-flux motor offers three times the power density and twice the torque density of radial-flux motors, while enabling a reduction of 67% in weight and length.

“It has to be authentic when it comes to power and drivability and track performance, but the AMG is also an emotional experience from an acoustic standpoint, from noise and vibration harshness, and that’s exactly what you should expect in this car as well. You can expect everything that you have today in the V8, V12 race-oriented AMGs [in this car],” Schäfer told Autocar.

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