1,169 HP vs 1,156 HP: Mercedes-AMG GT SUV challenges Porsche Cayenne Electric

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents 1,169 HP vs 1,156 HP: Mercedes-AMG GT SUV challenges Porsche Cayenne Electric.

Stuttgart, October 17, 2026, Mercedes' 140th birthday: At the Mercedes-Benz Museum, AMG unveiled its new electric GT SUV – the first large SUV in 59 years of AMG history to be developed entirely within the performance division. While Paris was running the final weekend of the Mondial de l'Auto, the brand in Affalterbach rolled out a heavyweight that has exactly one name to measure itself against: Porsche Cayenne Electric.

The key figures on the data sheet: 1,169 HP and 2,000 Nm of torque in the AMG GT 63, 1,156 HP and 1,500 Nm in the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric. On paper, that's a difference of 13 HP – and a hefty 500 Nm more torque on AMG's side. Both sit in a class of large, heavy electric SUVs tipping the scales at over 2.5 tons in curb weight.

The acceleration has a catch

Anyone reading 2.5 seconds to 100 km/h for the GT 63 should look closely. Mercedes quotes this time using a so-called "1-foot rollout" – the clock only starts after the first 30.48 centimeters, i.e., after the slowest phase of a standing start. Without this trick, the GT 63 posts 2.7 seconds. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo manages the 2.5 seconds without this method – in reality, a hair faster than the AMG. The same pattern shows up in the mid-range: the AMG GT 53 (544 HP) needs 4.2 seconds, while the Porsche Cayenne S Electric delivers 666 HP briefly via launch control from its 544 HP nominal output and sprints in 3.8 seconds.

Technology: AMG.EA platform and axial flux motors

The GT SUV shares its basis with the electric AMG GT 4-Door Coupé unveiled in May 2026: AMG.EA platform, 800-volt architecture, and on the GT 55 and GT 63 versions, axial flux motors. Through the speakers, AMG optionally simulates a V8 or a six-cylinder, complete with artificial shift pauses. The GT 53 weighs 2,525 kg according to the manufacturer, the GT 55 with the large battery up to 2,715 kg – at 5.08 meters in length.

Charging: AMG ahead – when the station cooperates

Charging is AMG's biggest playground. With the large 128 kWh battery, peak flows of up to 710 kW are said to be possible for brief periods; with the small 106 kWh battery, up to 600 kW. The jump from 10 to 80 percent is supposed to be done in 11 to 12 minutes. Porsche quotes 400 kW under ideal conditions for the Cayenne, 390 kW under Porsche's own reference conditions, with a battery of 113 kWh gross – of which roughly 108 kWh is usable. The Cayenne manages 10 to 80 percent in under 16 minutes.

The catch with AMG's numbers: they require a suitable fast-charging station. At a standard 400 kW station, the GT 63 itself needs 14 minutes (small battery) or 16 minutes (large battery) according to Mercedes – practically identical to the Cayenne. The immersion cooling of the cells (battery cells in non-conductive oil) is meant to prevent the high peak output from collapsing on the second fast-charging stop.

Range: 78 km advantage – but only with the big battery

On the WLTP range, 700 km (AMG GT 55/63 with 128 kWh battery) face off against 622 km (Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric) – a plus of 78 kilometers for the AMG. But that only applies with the large battery: with the small 106 kWh pack, the GT 55 and GT 63 versions drop to 525 to 585 km. Then the Cayenne Turbo is ahead. The GT 53 (also 106 kWh) still manages 597 to 668 km. The best value in Porsche's camp comes from the aerodynamically more favorable Cayenne S Coupé Electric with 669 km.

Order start and price: Porsche with eleven months head start

On the sales launch, Porsche is clearly ahead: order books for the Cayenne Electric have been open since November 2025, in three versions – €107,600 (base), €129,200 (S), €167,200 (Turbo). At Mercedes, initially only the GT 53 from October 20, 2026 can be ordered, at €113,050 (German price). The more powerful GT 55 (816 HP) and GT 63 (1,169 HP) follow only in spring 2027; prices have not yet been set.

What's left: a duel in the range of a few percent. The AMG wins on charging and maximum range – provided you choose the large battery and the right station. The Porsche stays a nose ahead on the sprint and is available today. Which of the two "wins" is up to you at the switch – or with a glance at the logo on the hood.