It's rare to find an electric car that evokes the same emotional response you get from a combustion engine, be it ICE or hybrid-assisted. With a real transmission and V8 power, there's tactile feedback that lends the car character. Even a 122-horsepower budget-priced car like a Nissan Versa has more personality in its tiny straight-four than you might find in some electric powertrains.Mercedes-AMG aims to address this shortcoming in the new 2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe by packaging next-level technology in what is essentially a battery-powered V8 performance model. Featuring an innovative three-motor axial flux system, haptic feedback, and a library of more than 1,600 sound files, 15 years after Volkswagen first developed fake engine noises, it looks like Mercedes-AMG may have cracked the code. V8 Character In An All-Electric Coupe Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG's promise to deliver a V8 driving experience in an electric coupe has a ring of "yeah, we've heard that before." Some EVs simulate real engines and transmissions better than others, as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, which uses turbo-four sounds borrowed from an Elantra N and simulated gear-shift noises.But we're talking about an eight-cylinder AMG here. Some people spend more on these cars than they did on their first house, specifically for the sound and feel of driving it. Difficult to describe, but all the more impressive to experience. Mercedes-BenzIt's easy to scoff at the idea of using electronics to capture the feel of an AMG, but the team built a next-level ICE-simulator. To achieve the feel and sound of a GT coupe running on premium fuel, AMGForce Sport+ uses simulated gear changes based on the feel of an AMG Speedshift TCT/MCT 96 transmission and is operated by steering-wheel paddle shifters. There's even traction interruption to replicate the feel of a real gear change.Complementing the haptic feedback system, the car draws on a database of 1,600 audio files based on the audio characteristics of an AMG V8, which are mixed and matched on the fly to create a soundtrack that could convince even the most seasoned Mercedes buff. It's like having a THX audio engineer hiding in your dashboard to create the perfect sound for every situation. The Axial Flux Powertrain Deserves A V8 Soundtrack Mercedes-BenzMercedes-AMG has done some really cool stuff with the powertrain in the new GT coupe. It's not just a standard EV setup with a cool soundtrack layered on top. The team builds a three-motor system with two in the rear and one in the front for rear-heavy, all-wheel-drive performance, lending the car a bit of muscle-car oomph.The axial-flux motors used to propel the GT coupe are based on technology dating back to the 1800s, but it's unusual to see them in an electric car. The Koenigsegg Regera hybrid was the first production car to feature this type of motor back in 2015, but it was a $3 million supercar. The GT is the first car to make this technology slightly more accessible, though Porsche is working on an axial-flux hybrid, too.Also called a "pancake motor" for its flat shape, the axial flux motor features a rotor covered with magnets and a stator packed with copper wires. Electricity feeds in through the coils, spinning the rotors. This differs from a conventional radial-flux motor, where the stator is on the outside, spinning around an interior rotor.If you're more of a visual learner, we've got good news: Mercedes-Benz has shared a quick video covering this tech over on YouTube.These motors offer several advantages over the motors you see in most EVs. A more exposed magnet surface means more efficient cooling. Axial flux motors are typically around two-thirds the weight of a radial flux motor. Axial flux motors are more compact, at around two-thirds shorter than a radial flux motor. Axial flux motors tend to be more efficient than radial flux motors, owing to a shorter magnetic flux path. Axial flux motors offer exceptionally high power density. Mercedes-AMG has stated that it intends to debut this technology in the new GT coupe before rolling it out to other electrified cars. Depending on how the launch goes, these motors could be a game-changer. You Won't Get Customization Like This From A Real V8 Mercedes-Benz A neat thing about electric cars is how they open up a whole new realm of possibilities for personalizing your driving experience. Real, nuts-and-bolts transmissions and powerplants are hardwired, so to speak. The same goes for conventional steering systems, as opposed to steer-by-wire. There are hardware limitations there that you're not going to be able to adjust with a knob or a switch.When everything is electric, the whole system can be finely tuned independently. Gear shifts can be custom-tuned to your liking. Throttle response can be relaxed for a more laid-back drive on the highway, or tightened for hair-trigger takeoffs on the track. The steering can be razor sharp or easygoing.We're only just now starting to tap into the potential of the fully electric driving system. The new GT coupe could be a significant step forward with its seven driving modes and extensive personalization settings. Even the audio can be fine-tuned with sliders, setting it from classic V8 sounds to a more futuristic vibe. An Impressive Technological Lineage Mercedes-Benz Besides the cool new motors, the new GT also draws on Formula 1 technology for its 800-volt battery with directly cooled cylindrical cells, helping to keep the power supply humming as the battery cools off almost as quickly as it heats up.The GT features a smart coolant system that can send cooling power wherever it's needed. So if the battery is running at optimal temperature, for instance, but the motors are running a little hot, the system sends more cooling power to the motors. This ensures more efficient use of available resources and power, and a lower overall running temperature.To go over some other cool tech we like in this car. Aerokinetic body design. This means that components such as the Venturi Flow elements in the underbody, air panels, and the optional rear diffuser can adjust on the fly to improve aerodynamics. 600-kW charging capacity, allowing you to charge 285 miles of range in just 10 minutes. Weight-based braking, with carbon ceramic discs up front, and steel discs in the back, for a satisfying brake-pedal feel and clean stops. Four-wheel steering that goes parallel at highway speeds, and opposite at low speeds, so you can crab-walk from lane to lane, or shrink your turning radius to grab a parking space. In-depth telemetry tracking to help you get a better time at the track via AMG Track Pace. This feature uses an augmented reality HUD interface to up your game, even mapping out perfect braking points and cornering angles. Old School Spirit, New School Tech Mercedes-Benz The 2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe was developed to blend the convenience, flexibility, and new possibilities of modern EV tech with the character of your favorite V8 performance models. It's a tall order, and it's the kind of thing that we can't really grade until we get our hands on it and see how it feels.But, based on everything we know about this car at the moment, it's one to look out for, and we suspect that it'll make a convert out of at least a few V8-diehards. Even if you've never had any interest in driving a battery-powered coupe, it's hard not to get excited about that 1,153-horsepower, customizable-everything, and a body design that actually changes shape to adjust to your driving conditions.Source: Mercedes-AMG.