Mercedes-AMG electric roadster under consideration, says development boss

The age of electrification is unlikely to kill the traditional Mercedes-AMG roadster, a company executive has said.

The brand’s chief operating officer Markus Schäfer claims the emotional experience of a cabriolet will triumph over any hurdles facing the body style.

In an interview with Top Gear, Schäfer, who is also responsible for the development of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, said a rapid drop in cabriolet sales doesn’t help build the case for an electric version – in addition to the added quirks of the powertrain.

“It’s not that easy to build a good-looking electric cabriolet, and we have to recognise that the demand for roadsters and cabriolets is declining,” he said.

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The significance of the populous Chinese market is also important in the development of new vehicles, with Schäfer telling the publication: “China is not a cabriolet market and there are less buyers in Europe compared to some years ago. But I think it’s [still] a very attractive product and an emotional product that builds the brand.”

While any potential electric AMG roadster might not have the same vocal character as the GT C or the soon-to-be-revealed SL, the body style is a hallmark of the brand – even as it begins transitioning to electric power, according to Schäfer.

“We have to put our thinking caps on and engineer an EV in the form of a roadster,” he added.

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“When you think about AMG and turning AMG into an electric brand, we will definitely think about a cabriolet as well.”

Despite falling short of an official confirmation for a new electric AMG roadster, it is clear the firm is happy to continue considering a range of traditional body types propelled by electric power – even as many manufacturers begin focusing on more popular styles, such as SUVs.

The three-box sedan might not have the same fate as the cabriolet, however, with Mercedes’ chief designer recently claiming the classic sedan shape with an EV battery “looks s**t.”