Markus Schaefer, Head of Mercedes Benz Research, has announced AMG versions of the upcoming electric compact SUVs AQA and EQB, large SUV EQE, and the liftback-shaped EQS. The highest trims will offer AWD and up to 600 horsepower (450 kilowatts).
The launch timeframe remains undisclosed, but the Mercedes-AMG EQA looks the most production-ready of the four and could therefore arrive later this year. The company unveiled the standard EQA last month, landing it with an electric motor rated at 190 PS (187 hp / 140 kW) and 375 Nm (277 lb-ft) of torque. To put things into perspective, the gas-powered GLA 45 S churns out 421 PS (415 hp / 310 kW) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. The EV has 426 kilometers (265 miles) of electric range.
The competition is not exactly resting on its laurels, either. Audi is actively working on its RS e-tron GT, BMW on a number of electric M models (such as the i4 M), Tesla on Performance and Plaid versions, and Volkswagen on the ID.3 R, among others. Porsche dominates the super-EV segment with its Porsche Taycan Turbo S capable of 761 PS (750 hp / 559 kW).
This is not the first time the Affalterbach-based carmaker ventures into the performance EV segment. The SLS AMG E-Cell Concept saw the daylight as early as 2010, and the extreme SLS AMG Electric Drive Concept rated at 750 PS (740 hp / 552 kW) and 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) emerged mere two years after that. It is now exhibited at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.