Mercedes-Benz cuts down on EVs to develop next-gen AMG V8

Mercedes-Benz is one of the world’s car manufacturers that has scaled back at going full electric. With demand for EVs not turning out as hot as they were a few years ago, the German brand is now switching towards developing vehicles with hybrid powertrains.

And yes, that same strategy will be applied to the brand’s performance arm, Mercedes-AMG. But wait, there’s more. The AMG brand wants to “outgrow the performance market”, and they meant that both literally and figuratively with the development of a next-generation, high-tech electrified V8. Oh yes.

Currently, Mercedes-AMG has the electrified 4.0-liter, biturbo V8 under the hoods of the SL and the range-topping version of the GT putting out 805 PS, but the most powerful version comes in the plug-in hybrid variant of the four-door GT Coupe where it puts out 842 PS.

The next-generation powertrain would likely push both performance and efficiency further, as it will also use the dedicated AMG.EA platform. Likewise, Mercedes-Benz said its 6.0-liter V12 engine will continue to be produced, but it’s the V8 that will be developed to meet EU’s emissions standards.

Mercedes-Benz is not alone in going back to ICEs and hybrids, as Porsche is also looking to develop a hybrid powertrain for models such as the full-electric Macan.