Mercedes Concept AMG GT XX: Around the World in 8 Days—Kinda
Mercedes-AMG latest electric prototype, the CONCEPT AMG GT XX has been put through an endurance test at the Nardò high-speed track in Italy, a facility long used for evaluating performance vehicles. Over the course of eight days, the GT XX covered a distance equivalent to driving around the world. Two vehicles were used in the test, running simultaneously with professional drivers completing two-hour shifts. The cars maintained an average speed of 300 km/h (186 mph), stopping only for charging sessions at around 850 kW.
In one of the test highlights, the GT XX set a new 24-hour distance record for an electric vehicle, covering 5,479 km (3,404 mi). This exceeded the previous record of just under 4,000 km by more than 1,500 km. Across the full program, the cars completed 3,177 laps of Nardò’s 12.68 km circuit, averaging over 5,300 km (3,293 mi) per day.
On August 25, 2025, one of the vehicles crossed the 40,075 km (24,901 mi) mark—the distance of Earth’s circumference—in 7 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes, and 7 seconds, well under the eight-day target set for the project. Both cars completed the challenge, finishing just 25 km (15.5 mi) apart after more than a week of near-continuous driving.
The test was designed not only to validate the performance of the new drivetrain but also to demonstrate its ability to withstand high loads and frequent fast charging under demanding conditions. Ambient temperatures during the test reached up to 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), yet the cars ran without major issues. AMG staff in Italy and remotely from Affalterbach coordinated pit stops, maintenance, and monitoring throughout the program.
Quotable Quotes
“Mercedes-AMG and Formula 1 stand for innovation, intense competition, and pushing the boundaries of what is technically possible. Our company’s powertrains achieved groundbreaking successes in the very first road races in automotive history more than 120 years ago and have set benchmarks for decades. In the 1970s and 1980s, Mercedes‑Benz was a regular guest here at Nardò, setting numerous international speed and track records - most notably with the C111 as a visionary technology program. Back then, we demonstrated the performance capabilities of innovative diesel and gasoline powertrains. Now, with the CONCEPT AMG GT XX technology program, we are entering a new dimension of performance – this time with fully electric drive. The goal is to redefine the limits of what is technically possible in the age of electric drives. So what could be more fitting than to chase records once again? Our mission: to redefine the very standards of performance with groundbreaking technologies and innovations. The motivation and dedication of the cross-functional team from Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz Mobility and our F1 engine experts at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains throughout the entire preparation phase were boundless. I am immensely proud of the unprecedented achievement of the entire team in this unique record drive.” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG. Chief Technology Officer, Development & Purchasing
“An AMG has always been defined by its drivetrain. 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.” stated Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑AMG GmbH and
Head of Mercedes‑Benz G‑Class & Mercedes‑Maybach divisions at Mercedes‑Maybach
“As an F1 driver, I'm used to pushing technology to its absolute limits – the CONCEPT AMG GT XX really impressed me. The axial flux motors respond as immediately and precisely as a Formula 1 drivetrain, but with an endurance that I have only ever experienced with combustion engines. This technology will revolutionize the driving experience – both on the racetrack and on the road.” said George Russell, Mercedes‑AMG PETRONAS F1 team driver
Quick Overview of the AMG GT XX
The CONCEPT AMG GT XX has been developed to demonstrate what’s possible with Mercedes-AMG’s upcoming electric drivetrain. At its core are three axial-flux motors and a newly designed high-performance battery, both engineered to handle sustained output and fast charging under demanding conditions. During testing at the Nardò proving ground, the setup was repeatedly pushed to its limits, with the battery staying within its optimal temperature range to support consistent performance and rapid charging.
Axial-flux motors differ from conventional electric motors in both size and capability. They are lighter, more compact, and provide roughly three times the power density, which means more output in a smaller package. The GT XX uses three of these motors for a peak output of more than 1,000 kW (1,341 hp). Two oil-cooled units on the rear axle are paired with compact transmissions and inverters in a single housing, while a third motor on the front axle is activated only when additional power or traction is needed.
The motors were originally developed by YASA, a British electric motor specialist owned by Mercedes-Benz, and have been further refined by AMG for use in the upcoming AMG.EA platform.
The battery is also a clean-sheet design from AMG, drawing on Formula 1 technology. It uses cylindrical NCMA cells with an energy density of more than 300 Wh/kg. Each of the over 3,000 cells is directly cooled by a non-conductive oil, helping maintain consistent temperatures and enabling high continuous power output. The aluminum cell housing improves heat transfer and durability, while the system’s 800-volt architecture reduces cable weight and allows faster charging.
With this setup, the GT XX can charge at over 850 kW, maintaining high rates across much of the charging curve. In practical terms, that means the car can recover about 400 km (249 miles) of range in just five minutes—roughly the distance from Nardò to Naples.
This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.
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