Mercedes-AMG priming electric two-door GT coupe

Work is underway to determine the viability of an electric two-door version of the Mercedes-AMG GT coupe to rival the Porsche 911.

Mercedes-AMG is investigating whether it can justify an electric version of the AMG GT sports coupé.

AMG has already said that an electric successor to the GT 4-Door Coupé will arrive in 2026. It was previewed by the GT XX concept. And it should be the first car to sit on the 800V AMG.EA platform. This architecture will also underpin the brand’s super-SUV due out in 2027.

Now AMG boss Michael Schiebe says the firm is looking at a battery-electric version of the two-door GT.

He said: “Emotionally, yes, we should do that. The question is whether there is a market that is big enough to justify the investment that is necessary.”

A key focus for AMG is who to target. The ICE model is bought mainly as a second car for “those who love driving”. That would also be the focus for the two-door EV, said Schiebe.

If it did come to market, the company would be “flexible” on a launch date. It all really depends on the demand for electric performance cars over the next few years.

“We are at the moment trying to understand what’s going on in the market.”

Mercedes has history in this space, building an electric AMG SLS. It then set an EV lap record at the Nürburgring with the vehicle. However, the car sold in extremely low numbers and was retired without a successor.

If a new EV coupé comes to pass, Scheibe said it would sell alongside the ICE GT for some years to come.

The combustion-engined GT two-door has sold well, he said. “So we will focus on that first, and then let’s see when the right point and time is there to launch a two-door EV.”

Ultimately, Schiebe hinted that such a model might be brought to market as a halo car. He said: “Sometimes you make a car which is not the most profitable one. But you do it because it’s so important for the brand, and you need to do it because it’s a brand-shaper.”

If AMG does go ahead, it would be the first direct rival to the Maserati Granturismo Folgore. That is currently the only EV super-coupé on sale. Rivals including the Porsche 911, Aston Martin Vantage and Ferrari Amalfi are only combustion-powered. And that’s not expected to change any time soon.