Spring has sprung, and several Mercedes-AMG pre-production prototypes have arrived at the Nürburgring to take advantage of the weather, one of the first of which is the electric version of the E-Class. It’s unclear what this will be called; Mercedes-AMG E-Class with EQ Technology? Mercedes-AMG E 63 EQ? Whatever Affalterbach decides to call it, our spies say to expect between 800 and 900 horsepower from the 5 Series fighter, far more than today’s BMW i5 M60, which tops out at 593 hp. Since the Mercedes-AMG EQE that this will effectively replace weighed over 5,500 pounds (and made up to 677 hp), all that grunt will be necessary. But will big output be enough to attract new buyers? Not if it were to stay in its current (ugly) state.
Mercedes-AMG’s E-Class Looks Odd But Gets Fundamentals Right
SH Proshots/Autoblog
As a very early pre-production test mule, this electric AMG E-Class gives us very few clues as to what the final design will look like, but the basics are clear: wide stance, low ride height, and big brakes. Most of the body has been clad with disguising bodywork add-ons, including the hood, which currently has an abnormally steep slant. We can also see the physical camouflage on the front fenders, the top and bottom of the doors, and the rear bumper, but the rear fender, which is a large and difficult-to-replace piece of bodywork, seems relatively conventional, with a clear definition of the wheel arch. Of course, that could still be glued-on camouflage, but it suggests AMG’s electric E may still be somewhat elegant.
SH Proshots/Autoblog
The strangest parts of the vehicle are the fascias, though, with slab-like front and rear ends. With pre-production lighting clusters, it’s tough to make out what the vehicle’s identity will be like, but at least we see conventional door handles… though the front door handles seem a little too far forward. Are these also fake? We’ll have to wait for more camo to come off. Still, the fact that there are canards on the front and a prominent spoiler on the trunk indicates that this will be more than just a straight-line monster.
AMG E-Class Getting New Interior, But Debut Is Far Off
SH Proshots/Autoblog
As the engineer turned into AMG’s home base at the ‘Ring, our photographers were able to capture a glimpse of the interior, revealing a thick-rimmed steering wheel ahead of a dashboard screen and climate air vents that appear to be very similar to those previewed in the first official images of the AMG GT 4-Door EV’s cabin. We can also see paddles behind the wheel, which may be used to simulate gear shifts or to adjust the EV’s level of brake energy recuperation. Or both. Either way, we’ll have to wait a while to see what AMG has in store, as this high-performance EV will only arrive after the regular electric E-Class, and that’s only due next year. That gives us until late 2027 or early 2028 (or even later) to snap more test vehicles and prototypes.
SH Proshots/Autoblog
