The Mercedes-AMG GT XX Concept represents a major departure from the brand’s current EV offerings. While the model’s early claimed figures were impressive, the team at Affalterbach aren’t ones for simple talk. Thanks to a recent trip to the famed Nardo test track, the AMG GT XX Concept has more than two dozen records under its belt, including an Earth-circling 24,901-mile slog completed in just 7 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes and 7 seconds.
This latest record push at Nardo comes as Mercedes look to prove the potency of the AMG.EA architecture that underpins the concept. The setup is based around a trio of axial flux motors, which were developed with Mercedes-Benz subsidiary YASA. The motors are more power dense than a traditional setup, with the added benefit of being lighter and more compact. Lamborghini used an axial flux setup to give the Revuelto its electrified boost due to their high performance benefits. Two of these motors are packaged together on the rear axle of the AMG to create a High Performance Electric Drive Unit, which features an integrated gearbox. A single motor up front provides power when needed, as well as all-wheel drive capabilities. Unique liquid-cooled cylindrical NCMA cells make up the battery, which supports charging speeds of up to 850 kW. Mercedes-AMG says this setup is good for more than 1341 hp.
Borrowing a little inspiration from Jules Verne, the team at AMG set out to virtually circumnavigate the Earth’s equator from the Nardo Test Track in just 8 days. The automaker enlisted a massive team of professional drivers, including F1 star George Russell, working in two-hour shifts. Each driver was tasked with getting the car up to 186 mph and holding it there for as long as possible. This speed was determined to bring the most efficient blend of pace and battery usage, allowing for the record setting run. The car has a claimed top speed of 223 mph, so the run was held at well below the car's theoretical upper limits. Mercedes actually ran two cars during the test, both finishing the journey within two laps of one another. That’s fairly impressive given the logistical challenges of charging, driver swaps, and tire changes.
“An AMG has always been defined by its drivetrain,” said Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Board of Management. “In the electric world, too, our drive system must be convincing across the board. That's why we’re the first manufacturer to use axial flux motors and directly cooled batteries in fully electric models. We have now impressively demonstrated how superior these technologies are. Enormous performance and extremely fast charging were always available and made these records possible. For customers of our future electric models, this means they will get a genuine AMG – no ifs, ands or buts. My heartfelt thanks go to the entire team – we’re delighted that we can also count on the best team in the automotive industry when it comes to electric performance.”
Mercedes managed to clip off a total of 25 EV records amid that eight day push, including a new 24-hour distance record of 3404 miles. To put that into perspective, that is some 932 more miles than the previous record holder. The Mercedes-AMG GT XX Concept is also the quickest EV to reach 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000 and 25,000 miles, respectively.
Mercedes-AMG says it has plans to put the AMG.EA architecture into production next year. If the cars all come with this sort of performance, it’ll be hard to argue against the move to axial flux motors. That said, the charging infrastructure required to get that sort of quick turnover out of these things just doesn’t exist for the public. At least for now.
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