Mercedes-AMG has built its reputation on rewriting the rulebook of performance, from dominating racetracks to setting speed records on proving grounds. Now, with the CONCEPT AMG GT XX, the brand has taken that same relentless spirit into the world of electric mobility, and the results are nothing short of historic.
At the legendary Nardò high-speed track in Italy, a place where the fastest cars in the world have proven their worth for decades, the GT XX was pushed to extremes that most EVs could never dream of. Over the course of a punishing 24-hour run, the prototype shattered the previous EV distance record, covering 5,479 km (3,404 mi), a staggering 38% more than the old benchmark.
But Mercedes-AMG didn’t stop there. In a feat inspired by Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 Days”, two GT XX prototypes set out to cover the equivalent of a full circumnavigation of the globe in less than eight days. Driving flat out at 300 km/h (186 mph), stopping only for ultra-fast recharges, the pair completed the 40,075 km (24,901 mi) challenge in just 7 days, 13 hours, and 24 minutes. Remarkably, both cars crossed the finish line within just 25 km of each other, proof not only of speed, but of astonishing consistency and reliability.
So how did AMG pull it off? The GT XX is built on the upcoming AMG.EA platform, and its drivetrain reads like something straight out of Formula 1. At its heart are three axial-flux motors, a cutting-edge design that’s more compact, lighter, and up to three times as power-dense as conventional electric motors. Combined, they deliver over 1,000 kW (>1,341 hp) of relentless power.
Backing up this firepower is a directly cooled high-performance battery, developed with expertise borrowed from AMG’s Formula 1 team. Packed with next-gen cylindrical NCMA cells, it boasts an energy density north of 300 Wh/kg, cooled by an electrically non-conductive oil that keeps each of its 3,000+ cells at the perfect temperature, even under nonstop abuse.
The result? Unmatched endurance, consistent performance, and charging speeds that make today’s infrastructure look outdated. At peak, the GT XX can recharge at 850 kW, restoring around 400 km of range in just five minutes. For perspective, that’s the distance from Nardò to Naples in the time it takes to grab a coffee.
While this was a record run, it was also a statement of intent. AMG isn’t just building electric cars to keep up with the future, it’s aiming to define it. Markus Schäfer, CTO of Mercedes-Benz, summed it up perfectly: “Our mission: to redefine the very standards of performance with groundbreaking technologies and innovations.”
And this is only the beginning. With production versions of AMG’s axial-flux motor and directly cooled battery set to arrive on the market soon, customers can expect AMG’s next-generation EVs to deliver the same thrill, speed, and endurance that made the brand legendary, only now with the instant torque and efficiency of electric power.
The CONCEPT AMG GT XX isn’t just a car, it’s a bold glimpse into the future of performance driving. If this is what tomorrow looks like, the electric era is about to get a lot faster.
