The new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe uses more than 1600 sound files to recreate V8 noise, accompanied by simulated nine-speed gearshifts and vibrations.
The electric GT55 and GT63 use the AMG GT R’s petrol V8 as the basis for their soundtrack.
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Speaking at the car’s launch in Spain, attended by CarExpert, Mercedes-AMG product manager Oliver Ganzmann said the development brief went beyond making a fast electric car.
“For us, a performance car is about emotion, about character, about the feeling you get behind a steering wheel,” he said.
The audio is mixed in real time to follow the driver’s actions. Individual samples are broken into smaller loops and combined to reproduce sounds including acceleration, gear changes, and exhaust burbles.
Selecting AMGFORCE Sport+ adds manual simulated shifts through the steering wheel paddles, with V8 sound audible inside and outside the car.
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Mr Ganzmann explained how the sound and simulated transmission work together.
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“Obviously, we know what’s connected to emotions when it comes to an AMG, and that’s an authentic V8 experience. Therefore, we created our newest drive mode, AMG Force S Plus, because it combines our well-beloved V8 sound from the AMG GTR.
“But it’s not just the sound; it’s especially also the drive and feel. By emulating a real nine-speed gear shift, you can use while driving.
“So you can shift upwards, downwards. You’re gonna feel the torque interruptions. You’re gonna feel the vibrations.
“So if you have ever driven a V8 from AMG, you’re probably feeling well at home with that kind of drive mode as well.”
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Those shifts are simulated. The GT55 and GT63’s rear electric motors use a single-stage transmission, rather than the nine-speed automatic the system is designed to imitate.
Drivers can adjust the cabin sound through a SoundSlider menu, choosing Powerful, Balanced, or Minimal settings, along with a scale running from Classic to Futuristic.
The entry-level GT53 has its own soundtrack. Its AMGFORCE Sport+ mode reproduces a six-cylinder engine inside and outside the car, while retaining simulated gear changes and paddle operation.
That preserves a distinction familiar from petrol-powered AMG models, even though all three versions of the new four-door are electric.
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AMG is joining a growing field of performance EVs that give drivers artificial engine noise and gearshifts. Hyundai has already introduced both in its electric N range, including the Ioniq 6 N.
Hyundai’s N e-Shift system simulates gear changes, while its N Active Sound+ system offers three sound themes. The Ioniq 6 N also uses a shift indicator to help drivers time their inputs.
AMG previewed its own approach with the GT XX concept in June 2025. That car played V8 sound through cabin and exterior speakers, with the latter positioned behind its headlights.
