Enthusiasts argue that emotional electric sports cars are an oxymoron. Even if an EV has a stronger technical specifications sheet from top to bottom, traditionalists still prefer the old performance formula. Through its AMG division, Mercedes claims it can transfer decades of know-how with gas cars into purely electric vehicles. In one of his final interviews as AMG CEO before joining the board of management for production and quality, Michael Schiebe told Australian magazine WhichCar why we should be excited about hot EVs. Engineers from AMG’s combustion-engine team are now working on performance EVs. Although the large-displacement ICE is gone, experts from the music industry have been hired as sound engineers to replicate the V-8 soundtrack. The outgoing AMG chief is confident skeptics will learn to appreciate simulated gearshifts as well. Schiebe tasked his team in charge of the AMG.EA platform team to develop “the best electric V-8 on the market” and mimic that special mechanical bond between driver and gas car: 'We also need to make sure that it’s 'very emotional' so that when you get into the car, and although it's an EV, you get feedback from the car because that’s what our customers love about their cars.' Still, AMG knows it won’t convince everyone, especially after the backlash over the C63 losing its V-8 in favor of a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter plug-in hybrid. To appease loyalists, an all-new eight-cylinder engine is in development with more power and better fuel efficiency than the long-serving "M178." It will also comply with the forthcoming Euro 7 standard, making it EU-friendly. Earlier this year, Schiebe told Motor1 the new V-8, due in 2027, will remain available “as long as people want it.” However, he cautioned about a “natural ending” in Europe as stricter emissions rules lead up to the 2035 ban on sales of new cars with combustion engines. In other regions, though, the engine will live well into the next decade. While electric AMGs such as the production-ready GT XX concept target customers open to performance EVs, V-8 loyalists still have something to look forward to. Since Affalterbach isn’t going all-in on electrification, enthusiasts still have reason for hope. Mercedes is big enough to manage both gas and electric sports cars, securing a strong future. Mercedes-AMG GT XX Concept It’s unrealistic to expect AMG, BMW M, and Audi Sport to put all their eggs in the ICE basket. Sooner or later, regulators will effectively outlaw large-displacement engines. Then what? That shift is indirectly already underway in parts of Europe, where cars with big engines face steep taxes. This explains why automakers continue investing in performance plug-in hybrids. To give a striking example, a BMW M5 is about €10,000 (nearly $12,000) cheaper than an M3 in Ireland. Why? The latter falls into a higher tax bracket due to its non-electrified powertrain. It's no wonder that the next M3 coming in 2028 is reportedly going to use a mild-hybrid inline-six. In the meantime, Audi's RS models will get a plug-in hybrid setup.
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