New Mercedes-AMG GT SUV revealed as 1153bhp family supercar

The drivetrain uses two axial-flux motors at the rear and a third motor at the front, which disconnects when not needed. Each of the rear motors operates through its own single-speed gearbox, enabling full torque-vectoring functionality.

The GT 55 SUV reduces the system's peak output to 805bhp and 1372lb ft but still reaches 62mph in 3.1sec.

The entry-level GT 53 SUV adopts a different drivetrain, with two conventional permanent magnet synchronous motors one on each axle - producing a combined 536bhp and 590lb ft to give a 62mph time of 4.2sec.

Two usable battery capacities are available, 106kWh and 128kWh, which give maximum ranges of 364 and 435 miles respectively, depending on the chosen specification.

The maximum charging speed is put at 600kW for the smaller battery and 710kW for the larger one. AMG claims the 128kWh battery can add 280 miles of range in 10 minutes, while a 10-80% charge is said to take 12 minutes under ideal charging conditions - although most chargers in the UK are capped at much lower speeds.

The GT SUV also offers AMG's Active Ride Control+ set-up, which combines air springs with hydraulically interconnected dampers to control body roll, pitch and dive without conventional anti-roll bars. It's standard on the GT 63 SUV and optional on the GT 55 SUV, as are carbon-ceramic brake discs.

Design

AMG's first entirely bespoke SUV adopts an individual design that's far removed from that of its ICE-powered range-mates.

Key exterior elements include a bold-looking front end featuring a blanked-off grille with an illuminated surround and eight vertical elements. As on the GT 4-Door Coupé, the three-pointed star at the front will be lit up in markets where regulations permit it.

Additionally, the GT SUV has a heavily structured front bumper with multiple cooling ducts, including horizontal openings above and below the grille and vertical openings to each side.

The headlights continue the three-pointed star design theme with three elongated individual elements, which form the daytime running light signature. Between them, the bonnet features two power domes and raised sides over the front wheel arches.

The tailgate receives an extensive spoiler element to smooth airflow around a heavily angled rear window. Below it sits a distinctive black panel similar in style to that used by the GT 4-Door Coupé, incorporating an optional, thin, full-width light element and six round tail-lights with three-pointed star graphics.

At 5084mm in length, 2001mm in width and 1656mm tall, the GT 63 SUV is 130mm longer, 17mm narrower and 126mm lower than the GLE 63 S SUV and its 3040mm wheelbase is 45mm longer.