Why The AMG GT XX Concept Is The Most Exciting Leap Forward In Electric Performance Cars
Mercedes-AMG has built its reputation on speed, endurance, and relentless innovation. From Nürburgring lap records to Formula 1 dominance, the Affalterbach-based brand thrives on proving what’s possible. Now, the AMG GT XX Concept has taken that ambition further. Over eight extraordinary days at the legendary Nardò proving ground in Italy, the car smashed endurance records and redefined what electric performance can mean.
Around the World in Eight Days
The challenge was audacious: cover 40,075 km, the circumference of the Earth, in less than eight days.
- Mission time: 7 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes, 07 seconds
- Average daily distance: 5,300 km
- Average speed: 300 km/h
- Records broken: 25
The result? Success. The GT XX not only circled the world virtually, but did so with stamina, precision, and power unmatched by any electric vehicle before it.
Record-Breaking Feats
Highlights from the run included:
- 24-hour record: 5,479 km – shattering the previous EV best of under 4,000 km.
- Distance covered: More than 40,000 km in under eight days.
- Consistency: Two cars ran simultaneously, finishing just 25 km apart after more than a week of flat-out driving.
This wasn’t a stunt; it was a stress test to prove the durability of Mercedes-AMG’s upcoming AMG.EA electric architecture.
Why 300 km/h?
Although the GT XX could go faster, engineers set the target pace at 300 km/h. Simulations showed it was the sweet spot:
- Fast enough to cover ground at record pace.
- Optimised for charging cycles at 850 kW.
- Balanced to maintain efficiency across thousands of kilometres.
This careful strategy allowed the car to maximise its performance while protecting battery health.
Cutting-Edge Technology
The AMG GT XX is a showcase for what’s coming next.
Three Axial Flux Motors
- Compact, lightweight, and three times as power-dense as traditional electric motors.
- Provide a combined 1,360 hp peak output.
- Rear axle: dual oil-cooled motors with integrated gearboxes and inverters.
- Front axle: a booster motor for additional traction and surge power.
A Formula 1-Inspired Battery
- Brand new design, developed in Affalterbach.
- Cylindrical NCMA cells with over 300 Wh/kg energy density.
- Direct oil cooling of over 3,000 cells for efficiency and thermal stability.
- 800V system reducing cabling weight and charging time.
Rapid Charging Capabilities
- Over 850 kW charging speed – well above what public networks currently offer.
- Five minutes of charging = around 400 km WLTP range (the distance from Nardò to Naples).
Built to Endure
Conditions at Nardò weren’t easy. Daytime temperatures hit 35°C in the shade, far higher on the exposed tarmac. Yet the GT XX delivered flawlessly.
- 3,177 laps of the 12.68 km track.
- Continuous driver changes in two-hour shifts.
- Support teams handling charging, tyres, and safety in a 24/7 operation.
As Michael Schiebe, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, put it: “Enormous performance and extremely fast charging were always available and made these records possible. For customers, this means a genuine AMG – no ifs, no buts.”
Star Power
Mercedes-AMG’s effort brought in racing talent too.
Driving Roster Included:
- George Russell – Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team driver
- Adam Christodoulou – UK GT driver
- Ralf Aaron, Marvin Dienst, Luca Stolz – AMG Performance drivers
- Fabian Vettel – GT racer
- A host of top GT and endurance specialists from across Europe
Russell’s verdict? “The axial flux motors respond as immediately as a Formula 1 drivetrain, but with endurance I’ve only experienced from combustion engines. This technology will transform driving.”
A Nod to History
Mercedes-Benz has used Nardò before to prove its technology.
- In the 1970s and 80s, prototypes like the C111 set diesel and petrol endurance records here.
- Now, the AMG GT XX carries that legacy into the fully electric era.
Markus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer of Mercedes-Benz, explained: “Back then, we showed what combustion engines could do. Today, we’re proving the limits of electric performance can be redefined.”
AMG GT XX Key Records
| Distance | Time (hh:mm:ss) | Distance (miles) | Time (days:hh:mm:ss) |
| 2,000 km | 08:40:34 | 2,000 mi | 0d:14:03:10 |
| 5,000 km | 21:54:47 | 10,000 mi | 2d:23:15:45 |
| 10,000 km | 44:10:00 | 20,000 mi | 6d:00:23:07 |
| 25,000 km | 115:44:51 | 25,000 mi | 7d:14:09:52 |
| 40,075 km | 181:24:07 | – | 7d:13:24:07 |
The Bigger Picture
The AMG GT XX Concept is not destined for showrooms as it stands. Instead, it’s a rolling technology laboratory, demonstrating the strengths of AMG.EA – the performance EV platform that will underpin future AMG models.
For enthusiasts, the message is clear: AMG’s DNA will survive the transition to electric. The numbers may change, the engines may hum instead of roar, but the spirit of performance lives on.
Conclusion: A Glimpse into AMG’s Future
The AMG GT XX Concept was built to prove that AMG’s electric era will be every bit as thrilling as its past. With record-breaking endurance, rapid charging, and technology born from Formula 1, it’s clear the performance future is electric – and AMG intends to lead it.
Over to you:
- Do you think AMG has redefined electric performance?
- Would you trust an EV for long-distance endurance over combustion?
- Which AMG innovation excites you the most – the motors, the battery, or the charging?
Share your thoughts below – we’d love to hear your view on AMG’s bold electric chapter.
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