GT 4-Door Coupé (X290) 2026 AMG GT 4-Door Vision EV

[Gor134]

Isn't this design considered dated already for Mercedes?

The original C EV and GLC EV prototypes had this sloping nose with lightbar, before they changed it mid-development to the upright nose with the big grille.

 

[Serpens]

I see that no one can explain the bizarre nature of how such a prominent design element as the light bar, which changes the identity of a car's front end, is left to the customers' discretion. It's the epitome of insecurity: "We made a mistake, or maybe not," you decide...

While I abhor the light bar, I also don't see an issue with giving them a choice. Mercedes offered two grilles on the same car before, no one complained then.

I think there's far more problems with the design than optionality.

 

[kiki voinea]

Imagine paying 230-240 for this....

I want to make a bet : 150 in max 12 months on Mobile

 

[Swissbob]

Imagine paying 230-240 for this....

I want to make a bet : 150 in max 12 months on Mobile

You must be completely crazy to pay 230-280 for this.

You‘re too optimistic, under 100 is my opinion.

Even the C63SE sold better than this one ever will.

 

[Pagani]

You must be completely crazy to pay 230-280 for this.

You‘re too optimistic, under 100 is my opinion.

Even the C63SE sold better than this one ever will.

Taycan sold very well for a long time and this is a slightly higher size-class vehicle (Taycan was between C and E classes and this is firmly in the E Class size category). This is going to be priced roughly neck and neck with the Taycan, therefore there is market potential. Not a huge market, but then, it is a high-ticket item. I would not be so pessimistic that this will find takers.

Unlike the C63E, this is a pure-play EV and does not pretend to be something it is not. The C63E debacle was because it wanted to retain ICE but offer a 4-banger instead of a V8. And the performance gains were not much in real life. The GT EV, on the other hand, has class-besting potential for performance.

Am I rushing out the door to buy this? Not yet... but for me the if I was ever going to go electric, the EV to buy was going to be a Taycan and for that money, I'd rather have a GT EV.

 

[CarGod]

Isn't this design considered dated already for Mercedes?

The original C EV and GLC EV prototypes had this sloping nose with lightbar, before they changed it mid-development to the upright nose with the big grille.

You are correct. This design language goes back almost a decade , as you can see from the Mercedes EQ silver arrow from 2018, and some design elements are even older, 15 years or so.The new vertical grille is a more recent development, and I suppose it was not used here due to the low/wide "sporty" front end, and the vertical grille will be used for "luxury" tall/monolithic front end .

 

[kiki voinea]

Taycan sold very well for a long time and this is a slightly higher size-class vehicle (Taycan was between C and E classes and this is firmly in the E Class size category). This is going to be priced roughly neck and neck with the Taycan, therefore there is market potential. Not a huge market, but then, it is a high-ticket item. I would not be so pessimistic that this will find takers.

The ONLY reason why Taycan sold well was because it was an exchange coin for the flippers for allocations

Different times. Post pandemic boom when some cars were even above MSRP

All Porsche dealers pushed it through client's throat to get a GT3 allocation , or a Turbo S ( for a short time )

I remember some racing driver youtuber that bought a Taycan , and sold it on a loss , just to get a GT3 RS....

Mad times

 

[klugscheisser87]

The whole design is like a designers brainfart.

Did they even see the bodywork before gluing that rear part on it?

 

[CarGod]

The whole design is like a designers brainfart.

Did they even see the bodywork before gluing that rear part on it?

That rear end is inspired from the concept IAA 2015 that also inspired the rear end of the new Aston Martin Vanquish.

 

[leylandi]

I'm starting to like the rear design more. My hatred for the front hasn't changed.

 

[CarGod]

It is weird that a design idea called stunning 8 years ago is now considered bad.

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/pebble-beach-2018/mercedes-eq-silver-arrow-a-stunning-ev-speedster

 

[Antti]

I’m thinking the rear might look slightly better in real life. It seems the massive black insert is actually 3D which does not come across in the photos we’ve seen. So it will appear smaller in real life.

 

[Matski]

It is weird that a design idea called stunning 8 years ago is now considered bad.

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/pebble-beach-2018/mercedes-eq-silver-arrow-a-stunning-ev-speedster

There's very little resemblance between the two cars. Carried over influences perhaps, but clearly not enough to save the new car from criticism.

 

[Pagani]

The more I absorb this car, the more I like it. I could see a GT 55 becoming my daily and having the ICE GT Coupe as a garage companion.

I just hope they don't shortchange the 55 visually and kit-wise compared to the 63.

 

[Pagani]

This spec could be fire:

 

[klier]

That rear end is inspired from the concept IAA 2015

Imagine that, a new EV based on an 11 year old design (which was fugly back then too)
Well actually that IAA concept was pretty nice, but the EQ Silver Arrow is just horrible.

I swear, these f#cking EQ cars..... they're killing me.

This design language goes back almost a decade , as you can see from the Mercedes EQ silver arrow from 2018, and some design elements are even older, 15 years or so.

Well...... damn
Looks like Gorden was right after all, we'll be stuck with his car until like 2035

Can you show us which 15 year old design elements you're referring to?

 

[klier]

I see that no one can explain the bizarre nature of how such a prominent design element as the light bar, which changes the identity of a car's front end, is left to the customers' discretion. It's the epitome of insecurity: "We made a mistake, or maybe not," you decide...

VW literally does this with the Golf.

 

[MOLOKO]

I’m glad they did not play it safe, if you want conservative and “normal” you’ve got the S class and E class for that. Bold design befitting of this car. Overall well executed Job

 

[vios1]

Terribly ugly front end, the rest seem ok. The front just ruined the whole design, what a waste

 

[wallstbear]

That horrible lightbar was the idea of Lesnik. As a former owner of the Gen2 CLS and R230 SL, it hurts me so much to see this abomination. Now even a Honda Civic is better looking than this.

That specific design element was driven heavily by Robert Lesnik, the Head of Exterior Design at Mercedes-Benz, working under Gorden Wagener.
While Wagener oversaw the overall brand direction, Lesnik and his exterior styling team pioneered the front horizontal light bar to serve a completely different purpose than the illuminated grille. [1]

Why Robert Lesnik's Team Created It

• The Ultimate "EQ" Identifier: When Mercedes-Benz launched its all-electric EQ sub-brand (starting with the EQC, EQS, and EQE), Lesnik wanted a styling cue that instantly told onlookers, "This is an electric Mercedes, not a gas one." The continuous light band across the top of the grille became the mandatory visual anchor for all EQ models.
• Visual Width and Low Stance: From an engineering standpoint, EVs have heavy battery packs in the floor, making them naturally taller. By placing a stark, glowing horizontal line as high up on the nose as possible, Lesnik's team visually widened the car and made it look lower, sleeker, and more planted to the ground.
• Creating a "Night Face": Lesnik has frequently spoken about creating a distinct "night face" for cars. Since electric cars do not require traditional open grilles for engine cooling, his team used the upper lightbar to frame the solid "black panel" snout, creating a futuristic graphic that is unmistakable in the dark. [1]