Mercedes' Michael Schiebe on AMG, Future of EVs

AMG is Mercedes-Benz’s performance brand, known for tuning and building high-performance versions of Mercedes models. In this interview, AMG is discussed as it expands its lineup to include both electric vehicles and combustion-engine cars.

An electric car uses an electric motor powered by a battery instead of a combustion engine. In the context of this interview, AMG is balancing electric-car launches with continued development of combustion-engine models for different markets.

Combustion engines generate power by burning fuel (like gasoline or diesel) inside the engine. The interview contrasts them with electric cars, explaining AMG’s strategy to keep offering both while transitioning.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class (often called the “G-Wagon”) is a rugged, luxury off-road SUV known for its distinctive styling and long-running design. It’s a standout because it blends serious capability with premium comfort, which is why it frequently comes up when people talk about a car’s identity. In the podcast context, it’s referenced alongside the idea of a “baby” version, highlighting how the brand’s character carries across models.

Market research is the process of gathering information about customer needs and competitor activity to guide product decisions. Here, AMG describes using it alongside direct customer feedback to decide what technologies to develop next.

Pre development activities are early-stage efforts before a product is fully designed and approved, often focused on exploring future technologies. In this interview, AMG says it uses these activities to look into the performance technology of the future.

“Myths series” here refers to a limited run program where only a small number of customers receive the cars. The key enthusiast angle is that it’s tied to exclusivity and a bespoke build process rather than a normal production model.

“One man, one engine” is a build philosophy where a single engine builder assembles an entire engine end-to-end. That means the same person is responsible for every component from start to finish, which is meant to improve consistency and craftsmanship.

“Falter Bach” appears to be a mis-transcription of a Mercedes-AMG engine-building location. The important point for listeners is that the engine builders work at a specific AMG facility, not on a generic assembly line.

A “V eight engine” is an eight-cylinder engine arranged in a V shape (two banks of four cylinders). The transcript ties it to build time, implying a complex, hand-assembled process for that engine family.

This describes a customer “build-your-own” experience where buyers visit AMG’s facility, meet the engine builder, and then assemble an engine that’s installed in their car. It’s a personalization concept tied to hand-finished, traceable craftsmanship rather than mass production.

Grossaspach is a town in Germany near Affalterbach, and it’s referenced here as part of how the AMG name is explained. The point is that AMG’s origin is tied to a specific geographic location in the Stuttgart region.

The Mercedes-AMG SLS is a famous AMG supercar known for its dramatic styling and performance-focused engineering. In the conversation, it’s used as an example of an AMG “famous” design that people associate with the brand’s character.

The “G Wagon” refers to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, a boxy luxury off-road SUV. The speaker contrasts what gives it “soul” (not just the engine) with what AMG focuses on, setting up the later discussion about how EVs should create emotional appeal.

The Kia Soul is a compact, boxy-shaped crossover designed for everyday practicality with a distinctive look. It’s often discussed in conversations about what makes a car feel “right” beyond just performance—comfort, usability, and personality. In this episode, it’s referenced as part of a broader discussion about the “soul” or character of a vehicle.

Powertrain is the set of components that generate and deliver motive force—typically the engine (or electric motors), transmission, driveshafts, and final drive. Here, the speaker argues that for AMG cars, the powertrain is central to the car’s “soul,” and EVs must replicate that emotional impact.

KPIs (key performance indicators) are measurable targets used to judge performance, like acceleration, range, efficiency, or lap times. The speaker’s point is that EVs shouldn’t be evaluated only by numbers—AMG also wants emotional, driver-focused “feel.”

“Combustion engine cars” are vehicles powered by internal combustion engines that burn fuel to create motion. The speaker contrasts the emotional experience of those cars—sound and vibration—with the challenge of recreating it in electric vehicles.

“V eight sound” refers to the characteristic audio signature of a V8 engine—how it revs, how it loads, and how it sounds under acceleration and deceleration. The speaker explains AMG’s process of recording real V8/AMG sounds and then mapping them into an electric driving model to create a convincing “AMG sound” experience.

The Nissan GT-R is a high-performance sports car built for fast acceleration and strong track-style capability. It’s frequently discussed for how it delivers performance in a repeatable, engineered way rather than relying only on raw power. In this podcast, it’s mentioned in the context of sound and how the car’s character can be shaped or studied—highlighting its performance identity.

An “RPM meter” shows engine speed in revolutions per minute, but in this electric-car setup it’s used as a simulated instrument. The speaker says the car shows an RPM meter even though the vehicle has no traditional gears, reinforcing the illusion of a combustion-style driving experience.

“Shakers” and “exciters” are hardware that vibrate the cabin to create physical sensations that match what the car is doing. Here, they’re used to make the electric AMG sound and acceleration feel more like a combustion V8, including vibration when the drive program is active.

“Sport Plus” (described here as the prior naming) is a selectable driving mode that changes how the car responds to inputs. In this segment, the speaker says AMG Force is effectively the updated version of that mode for the electric car, tied to sound, vibration, and driving behavior.

Mercedes-AMG’s “S 63” refers to the AMG-tuned S-Class variant, built for high-performance driving while keeping the S-Class luxury feel. In this segment, Michael Schiebe calls it the performance version of the S-Class and says it’s his current daily driver.

The “AMG GT” is Mercedes-AMG’s sports car line, known for its performance-focused design and driving feel. Here, Schiebe describes it as his “weekend car” and then teases an upcoming four-door “GT” variant.

A “flat plane crank” is a crankshaft design where the engine’s crank throws are arranged to support a flat-plane firing order. It’s commonly associated with engines that rev more freely and can feel more responsive, and Schiebe says AMG is moving to this for the next vehicle.

EV means electric vehicle, powered primarily by an electric motor and a battery rather than a gasoline engine. The host contrasts EV ownership with gasoline fueling, emphasizing the convenience of plugging in at home or work.

Torque is the twisting force an engine produces, and it strongly affects how quickly a car accelerates from low speeds. The host quotes torque in “pound-feet,” which is a common unit used in the U.S. to describe that force.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a compact luxury sedan/coupe-style car, and this specific one is the CLA 350 4MATIC. The “4MATIC” indicates Mercedes’ all-wheel-drive system, which helps traction and stability compared with front-wheel drive.

4MATIC is Mercedes-Benz’s all-wheel-drive system. Instead of sending power only to the front wheels, it can distribute torque to improve traction and stability when conditions are slippery or when you’re accelerating hard.

The “C3 Corvette” is the third generation of the Chevrolet Corvette, known for its classic late-’60s/’70s styling and V8 muscle-car feel. In this segment, the host contrasts the Corvette’s driving “soul” with the experience of an EV.

“Nine to eleven” is a reference to the Porsche 911, a long-running sports car line famous for its rear-engine layout and identity. The host uses it alongside the Corvette and Rolls-Royce to argue that the best cars keep feeling engaging over repeated drives.

This is the idea of “long-term engagement”: a car should keep making you feel something after repeated use, not just impress you once. The host argues that good cars remain emotionally rewarding over years, while some EV acceleration hype may fade quickly.

Acceleration is the rate at which a car’s speed increases, and it’s a major part of how drivers perceive performance. In this segment, the host contrasts EV acceleration excitement with the more lasting emotional cues from things like ride quality and interior/exterior feel.

“Fake horsepower numbers” is the host’s critique of how EV performance can be marketed using headline power figures. The point is that while EV acceleration feels exciting at first, it can become less thrilling if it’s only a one-time “trick.”

“One trick pony” describes something that’s impressive mainly for a single standout feature, but doesn’t deliver ongoing excitement. Here it’s used to criticize EVs being sold primarily on acceleration hype rather than a broader set of emotional driving qualities.

Suspension is the system that connects the wheels to the car and controls ride quality and how the car responds to bumps and road texture. The host argues that suspension feel—how the car rides—can create emotional connection that lasts beyond initial acceleration thrills.

“Door closing” is a shorthand for perceived build quality and tactile feedback—how solid, damped, and well-finished the car feels when you use it. The host treats these small sensory details as part of why some cars remain emotionally satisfying after years.

This is the idea that different cars fit different needs, rather than one “best” car for everyone. The host frames it as pragmatism: sometimes you just need a vehicle to get you somewhere quickly, even if it doesn’t have the same emotional “soul.”