Some car enthusiasts remain hesitant to embrace electric vehicles, arguing that EVs lack the distinctive driving feel and sound of traditional gas-powered cars.
According to Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius, however, that could soon change with the company's new all-electric AMG model, which features a simulated V8 experience. Källenius was so impressed by the system that he said it turned him into a "born-again Christian."
Here's what to know
According to Electrek, during a test drive of the new C-Class Electric in Finland, Källenius made it clear that the upgraded model is designed for petrol-heads and EV enthusiasts alike.
"When I first drove the CLA 45 with that system, I was like a born-again Christian," he said in an interview with Autocar's James Attwood, per Electrek. "It was the best V8 I'd ever driven: it had all the feeling of a V8 but with more power and torque."
Before taking over as Mercedes-Benz CEO in 2019, Källenius built much of his career around the company's performance side, including leading AMG, overseeing Formula 1 engine operations in Brixworth, and serving as McLaren's executive director of operations during the SLR McLaren program, Electrek noted.
Mercedes is betting that performance fans are not losing what they love with electrification but experiencing it in a different form. Software, instant torque, engineered sound, and simulated gear changes can help narrow the gap for drivers who still associate excitement with combustion engines.
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Mercedes is also far from alone in that thinking. Hyundai's Ioniq 5 N and Dodge's Charger Daytona have both leaned into artificial sound and simulated shifts, suggesting several automakers now see that kind of "theater" as part of the EV transition.
More background
The interview also showed how closely Mercedes is tying its future to software. Its MB.OS operating system is not limited to EVs, and Källenius said the company is rolling out 40 vehicles over a three-year span through the end of 2027, Electrek reported, using a shared architecture strategy across electric and combustion vehicles.
The EV shift is not just about replacing engines with batteries. Carmakers are also rethinking how vehicles feel, sound, update, and interact with drivers. That could translate into cars that are more customizable and potentially more future-proof through software upgrades.
There is also a practical side to the emotional sales pitch. Performance EVs can deliver rapid acceleration while still offering the everyday benefits of electrification, including lower fueling costs than premium gasoline in many areas, fewer maintenance needs because there are no oil changes, and reduced brake wear because of regenerative braking.
At the same time, Källenius acknowledged that consumer demand has not fully caught up. He said the industry has "turned a corner" on electrification, per Electrek, but "the consumer is not quite there yet."
What's being done?
The outlet noted the company says it has not abandoned its electric-only ambition, but it is still developing "high-tech electrified combustion engines" while EV adoption remains uneven.
Electrek said AMG is working on its own performance-focused platforms even as it continues to share parts with the broader Mercedes lineup. That kind of scale could help the automaker spread development costs and bring more high-performance options to market faster.
The near-term outcome may be more choice rather than an all-or-nothing shift. Drivers who are curious about EVs but reluctant to give up the sensation of a traditional engine may soon have options that combine the efficiency of electric driving with the familiar drama of a performance soundtrack.
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