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A Revolutionary Electric GT Proves Its Worth
When Mercedes‑AMG unveiled the Concept AMG GT XX earlier this summer, the company suggested it represented a step-change in electric performance. Now, after an intensive endurance campaign at the Nardo high‑speed circuit in Italy, the concept has translated promise into record‑breaking reality. The AMG GT XX ran at a sustained 186 mph (300 kph) for more than seven days and left the track with 25 new long‑distance electric vehicle records — including a jaw‑dropping 24,901 miles (40,075 km) covered in under eight days.
Platform and Purpose: AMG.EA and the Path to Production
The Concept AMG GT XX is built on Mercedes’ new AMG Electric Architecture (AMG.EA), the marque’s first ground‑up in‑house EV platform. Designed as a preview of a four‑door production sports car expected to arrive soon, the GT XX showcases technologies meant to push electric performance past existing limits — from compact, high‑power motors to radical battery cooling and ultra‑fast charging solutions.
Powertrain and Technical Innovations
Axial‑Flux Motors and HP.EDU Units
At the heart of the GT XX are three axial‑flux electric motors. Mercedes chose axial‑flux architecture because it packs far more power into a smaller, lighter package compared with traditional radial motors: up to three times the power density and occupying roughly one‑third the installation volume. These three motors are packaged as high‑performance electric drive units (HP.EDU). Two HP.EDUs drive the rear axle, each combining a gearbox and inverter in a single housing; a third unit powers the front axle, acting as a high‑speed booster when extra traction or output is needed.
Battery Architecture and Ultra‑Fast Charging
The battery concept is equally disruptive. While Mercedes has not disclosed the exact kilowatt‑hour capacity, the cell and cooling architecture enables direct liquid cooling and extremely high charge currents — more than 850 kW at 1,000 amps. In practical terms, Mercedes says the system can deliver about 249 miles (400 km) of range in five minutes of charging, a step‑change for electric car usability in high‑performance scenarios.
Performance Figures: Hypercar Ambitions
Mercedes quotes a combined system output of 1,360 hp for the AMG GT XX concept — a figure squarely in hypercar territory. That output supports a top speed of 223 mph (359 kph) in unrestricted trim. However, for the Nardo endurance attempt engineers deliberately capped the car at 186 mph (300 kph) to optimize the trade‑off between sustained track speed and charging frequency, producing the fastest overall lap‑and‑charge cycle for the mission.
The Nardo Endurance Run: 25 Records and an Around‑the‑World Challenge
Inspired by Jules Verne’s classic, Mercedes set out to see whether an EV could cover the Earth’s equatorial circumference in eight days. The GT XX didn’t just meet the target — it smashed the timeline. Over the course of 7 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes and 07 seconds, the concept covered 24,901 miles (40,075 km) on Nardo’s 7.87‑mile (12.68 km) oval, completing exactly 3,177 laps. The car averaged roughly 3,293 miles (5,300 km) per day while drivers rotated in two‑hour shifts.
Rules, Strategy and Records
To validate the run, Mercedes adhered to strict rules: a constant target speed of 186 mph (300 kph) and stops permitted only for recharging. The speed cap was chosen because it offered the optimal balance between lap speed and charging demand — minimizing total time lost to charging stops. The GT XX set a total of 25 long‑distance EV records during the exercise, including the new 24‑hour distance record of 3,404 miles (5,479 km) — an increase of 932 miles (1,500 km) over the previous benchmark. Two concept cars were employed during the campaign; both completed the run, with the second finishing about 16 miles (25 km) behind the leader.
Design, Aerodynamics and Cooling
The GT XX concept combines aggressive sports‑car proportions with aerodynamic refinements that support stable high‑speed running and efficient thermal management. The packaging of axial‑flux motors and the directly cooled battery allows a lower center of gravity and more efficient airflow management around the battery and drive units. These aero and cooling strategies were critical to sustaining high speeds and repeated high‑power charging cycles on the Nardo oval.
Market Positioning and Production Prospects
Mercedes positions the AMG GT XX as a technology flagship — a performance halo that demonstrates what AMG.EA can do. The car previews a production four‑door GT that the company says will enter series production in the near future. Key questions remain about how much of this concept’s bespoke hardware (the axial‑flux HP.EDUs, direct‑cooled battery and ultra‑fast charging capabilities) will be carried over to customer cars. If a significant portion arrives intact, the production GT could reset expectations for electric performance sedans and four‑door sports cars.
Comparisons: Where the GT XX Fits in the EV Landscape
Compared with current electric hypercars and high‑performance EV sedans, the AMG GT XX stands out for endurance capability rather than just sprint performance. While many rivals emphasize lap times or sprint acceleration, the GT XX showcases sustained high‑speed reliability, thermal control and rapid recharge strategy — areas that matter for long‑distance performance records and real‑world usability in high‑demand scenarios.
Conclusion: A Glimpse of Tomorrow’s High‑Performance EVs
The Concept AMG GT XX is more than a showpiece — it’s an engineering statement. With three axial‑flux motors packaged in HP.EDUs, a directly cooled, ultra‑fast charging battery, and a validated suite of endurance records, Mercedes‑AMG has raised the bar for what electric performance cars can accomplish. The next question, and the one enthusiasts and buyers will watch closely, is how much of this technology translates into the production model due soon. If the GT XX’s innovations arrive in showroom cars, the future of electric high‑performance driving looks both fast and sustainable.
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