Mercedes-AMG gives us a ride in its next high-performance EV

The first thing I noticed was the simulated engine noise. It was developed to be unique to AMG.EA, taking inspiration from some of the great AMGs of the past. AMG boss Michael Schiebe tells us that they set up shop outside the offices and had people drive by in various cars to find the right engine and exhaust notes to fit into the creation. It's a deep, throaty sound.

It’s a sound you can feel

Seriously, I feel something in my seat. The engineer later asks if I notice anything in my seat, and while I can't confirm what it was adding to the sound—be it a speaker or a motor—it does help make the car feel more alive.

The artificial gearshifts are more than just halting power for a brief period; they're part of a mapped-out torque curve. Like in the Hyundai, you can feel the acceleration build like you would in a combustion engine. It's not as prominent as in the Hyundai, but it's there.

When the car shifts, it feels a lot like a ZF 8-speed automatic in a modern performance car. It's smooth, but enthusiastic. It's not as extreme as the Hyundai, but I'd argue the Hyundai driver and the AMG driver are looking for a different experience, with the AMG being a bit more adult.

The AMG also, at least as it sits now, will automatically upshift at redline. The fun thing about the Hyundai is, if you intentionally miss a shift, the car will throw your head into the steering wheel as you hit the artificial rev limiter. It's hilarious. The vibe from the prototype I'm in is that things are a bit more serious.