Mercedes-AMG to simulate gearboxes in 'emotional' EVs

Mercedes-AMG volition simulate internal-combustion powertrains successful its upcoming EVs successful a bid to deed the “emotional” benchmarks acceptable by its erstwhile V8- and V12-powered sports cars.

Speaking to Autocar astatine the motorboat of the AMG Concept GT XX, Mercedes-Benz Group tech main Markus Schäfer suggested that the marque could spell arsenic acold arsenic simulating gearchanges and the vibration of a V8 to amended immerse keen drivers.

He said: “How does the car consciousness successful presumption of noise, successful presumption of dependable level, successful presumption of the vibration, successful presumption of the gearshift? It has to interaction the affectional broadside of you. And if it doesn't, it doesn't bash the job. This is what AMG cars do, and that's precisely what we transferred portion by portion into this AMG GT XX.”

It has already been confirmed that the accumulation mentation of the GT XX, owed adjacent year, volition usage speakers mounted successful its headlights to emit the sound of an AMG V8. But Schäfer’s comments suggest that it volition spell further still, pursuing the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N successful simulating a highly strung combustion drivetrain to boost operator engagement.

Indeed, a video posted to Mercedes-AMG’s societal media channels shows the car changing up a ‘gear’ earlier racing to a stop.

Schäfer cited the flexibility of the GT XX’s axial-flux electrical motors – developed by Oxford-based subsidiary Yasa – arsenic essential to this ambition. “It has to beryllium authentic erstwhile it comes to powerfulness and drivability and way performance,” helium said, “but the AMG is besides an affectional acquisition from an acoustic standpoint, from sound and vibration harshness, and that's precisely what you should expect successful this car arsenic well.”

He added: “You tin expect everything that you person contiguous successful the V8, V12 race-oriented AMGs [in this car].”

Schäfer acknowledged that “bringing hardcore V8 fans to an electrical conveyance is thing that is simply a challenge.

“A pure-electric car doesn’t bash the job.”