AMG GT 4-Door EV Has a Trick Transmission TunnelMercedes-AMG (Mercedes-AMG)A glance through the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe's interior won't raise many eyebrows. Mercedes's screen-heavy dashboard and turbine-style air vents are present, as in the case of most modern Benzes, Maybachs, and AMGs. But a closer look at the center console reveals something that seems out of place: it appears that the all-electric AMG GT 4-Door has a proper transmission tunnel slicing the cabin in half, just like what's found in internal-combustion AMG GTs with actual multi-speed gearboxes.Your eyes aren't deceiving you. The AMG GT 4-Door Coupe does indeed feature a transmission tunnel, or at least a functional interior channel that appears to be one. As Mercedes-AMG's breakout all-electric performance model, the GT 4-Door Coupe is powered by a high-energy-density 106-kWh NCMA battery crafted by engineers in Affalterbach. However, to house this newly developed pack, engineers had to carve out a portion of the interior to house critical wiring and cooling components in a special spine. So, instead of a traditional transmission tunnel, the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe has a battery-focused one.Mercedes-AMG (Mercedes-AMG)As a result, the aluminum and steel battery housing is an integral structural component of the GT 4-Door Coupe's chassis. But the battery housing isn't simply responsible for housing the cell modules, either; all switching components and the battery management system are contained inside this special spine. This tunnel structure allows Mercedes to house the majority of its cooling components, high-voltage cables, and active electrical switches in the center of the battery skateboard and away from potential impacts. Structural rigidity and crash safety standard adherence benefit greatly from this design.AdvertisementAdvertisement"[The battery is] part of the body structure of the car. So the car is very stiff and rigid, which is very important for a sports car that you want to go around the track. That is one of the key features of this design," a product manager for the GT 4-Door Coupe explained.Additionally, housing the associated hardware inside a special spine allows for more efficient use of space underneath and inside the vehicle. Keeping the battery at temp was also a critical piece of Mercedes's packaging decision; the long, slender battery spine features a layer dedicated entirely to cooling, with a coolant pump module and oil-water heat exchanger built into the tunnel housing.Mercedes-AMG (Mercedes-AMG)"That's the real secret of the performance of the battery: the intelligent cooling system. Every cell in this battery needs to have the same temperature. Your whole battery is only as good as the worst cell," the product manager told Road & Track. "Our target was to keep all the cell temperatures at the same level—and with this intelligent cooling system, you can manage to keep it smooth and safe on the same level, which is important when [doing] performance driving."Whopping figures like the GT63's 1153 peak horsepower grab headlines, but the all-electric grand tourer is ultimately more than just about part tricks; it's a demonstration of AMG's engineering prowess. It wasn't enough to create a battery just capable of high peak power and impressive range numbers. Instead, the GT 4-Door Coupe is setting the benchmark for electric performance as a whole at the carmaker.You Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State