Mercedes-AMG teases Born in Affalterbach SUV

MERCEDES-AMG has confirmed its second all-electric model and first standalone SUV this week in the curiously named Born in Affalterbach.

Produced on the performance arm’s AMG.EA electric platform, the new in-house-built and “full-size” SUV will rival the likes of the BMW XM, Lotus Eletre, and Porsche Cayenne Electric.

It follows the four-door electric AMG.EA based ‘GT’ car currently in testing, a rival to the Porsche Taycan.

So far, the single silhouette ‘teaser’ image shows little beyond a coupe-like SUV outline, with details on the forthcoming vehicle just as scant.

Mercedes-AMG says the model is the first in its 57-year history to combine high-performance electric motivation with off-road capabilities, a point it aims to prove when winter testing commences later this year.

“SUVs have been among our most popular models for many years,” explained Mercedes-AMG chairman of the board of management and head of Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Mercedes‑Maybach divisions Michael Schiebe.

“With the Born in Affalterbach SUV, we are responding to this trend by offering our customers a truly captivating high-performance off-roader based on the AMG.EA platform.

“Our new high-performance architecture follows a clear philosophy: AMG First, EV Second. This means that the vehicles not only excel as electric vehicles but also embody the core AMG qualities of emotion and performance.”

Mr Schiebe says high-performance SUVs have long been the cornerstone of AMG’s portfolio.

Over 25 years ago, the performance and sports car brand from Affalterbach pioneered the segment with the launch of the ML 55 AMG. He said the high-performance off-roader class “quickly captured customers’ hearts”, achieving robust growth rates ever since.

Today, Mercedes-AMG boasts six ‘regular’ SUV model lines, including GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE, GLS, and EQE SUV, as well as the “crown jewel of the performance-driven off-roader lineup”, the Mercedes‑AMG G 63.

Born in Affalterbach will become the sixth vehicle fully developed by Mercedes-AMG, joining the ‘GT’ currently in testing, as well as the GT, SL, previous GT generation, and SLS models.

Production models are likely to debut in 2026.