Mercedes-AMG has initiated cold weather testing for its new “high-performance” electric SUV, marking an important phase in its development.

The SUV, which is the second model to be built on the all-electric AMG.EA architecture, is undergoing rigorous trials in the extreme cold of northern Sweden.

This testing is essential to ensure that all components perform optimally in harsh conditions, the company said.

The winter testing, conducted at temperatures below freezing, is designed to evaluate the interaction of all vehicle components meticulously.

The SUV exemplifies the pioneering role of high-performance drives in Mercedes-AMG's all-electric architecture, which includes the integration of axial flux motors and a new high-performance battery concept.

Axial-flux motors, which are more compact and lightweight than traditional radial-flux motors, are a key feature of the new architecture.

Another model, four-door coupe, which is set to serve as an electric alternative to AMG's current GT 4-Door Coupe liftback, is expected to debut first, likely towards the end of 2025.

The SUV is anticipated to follow, with a debut expected in 2026.

In November 2024, Mercedes-AMG announced it will develop its first standalone high-performance SUV, "Born in Affalterbach," entirely in-house, a first in its 57-year history.

In October 2024, Mercedes-Benz opened a battery recycling plant in Kuppenheim, southern Germany, to close the loop on battery recycling.

The facility utilises an integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical process, aimed at achieving a recovery rate of over 96%.

This process allows for the extraction of key materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, which are crucial for manufacturing new batteries for future all-electric Mercedes-Benz models.