Mercedes-AMG reveals its Concept AMG GT XX has set 25 long-distance records at the Nardò high-speed proving ground in Italy, capped by a 24-hour EV distance mark of 5,479km.
The technology demonstrator is the lead testbed for AMG.EA, the brand’s next-generation electric performance architecture due to enter production next year.
Two GT XX prototypes ran at the same time for eight days in a continuous high-load cycle designed to stress motors, battery and charging hardware.
Both completed a full circumnavigation equivalent of 40,075km, crossing the line just 25km apart after 3,177 laps of Nardò’s 12.68km circular track.
The team maintained a target speed of 300kph between rapid-charge stops, which averaged about 850kW — a rate AMG notes exceeds today’s public infrastructure — before repeatedly accelerating back to 300kph.
Ambient temperatures reached 35°C. Professional drivers rotated in two-hour stints, supported by round-the-clock pit and safety crews, remote diagnostics from Affalterbach, and partners including Michelin (tyres) and Alpitronic (charging).
The concept employs three axial-flux electric motors and a directly cooled high-performance battery. Peak output exceeds 1,000kW (>1,360hp).
Two oil-cooled axial-flux units sit at the rear within compact high-performance drive units (HP.EDUs) integrating motors, gearboxes and inverters; a front axial-flux “booster” engages on demand for added power or traction.
AMG says axial-flux machines offer roughly triple the power density of conventional e-motors while being lighter and more compact, enabling high continuous output.
The battery is a ground-up AMG development inspired by Formula 1. It uses newly developed cylindrical NCMA cells in a laser-welded aluminium housing, direct oil cooling for more than 3,000 cells, and an electrical system above 800V to reduce cabling mass and shorten charge times.
AMG claims charging “over 850kW” across a wide portion of the curve and estimates about 400km (WLTP) replenished in five minutes, subject to conditions.
According to AMG’s simulations, a steady 300kph offered the best overall time once charging stops were factored in.
The programme concluded on Aug 25 (local time), with a total time of 7 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes and 07 seconds — comfortably under the self-imposed “around the world in eight days” target and followed by a push to the 25,000-mile (40,233km) milestone.
Board member and CTO Markus Schäfer said the campaign revives AMG’s historic record-setting at Nardò, this time “with fully electric drive,” while AMG chief Michael Schiebe said axial-flux motors and directly cooled batteries will define the brand’s electric era.
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 driver George Russell described the response as “F1-like” with endurance he had previously associated only with combustion engines.
AMG notes the run builds on the brand’s performance credentials, including the Mercedes-AMG ONE’s Nürburgring-Nordschleife production-car lap record, and is intended to validate the durability and repeatability targets for forthcoming AMG.EA models.
