AMG GT XX, the technical secrets of the 1,300+ hp electric sports car that recharges in five minutes
Concept car. The coupé anticipates the Mercedes sports brand's first lithium-ion model based on an unprecedented architecture. It introduces sophisticated axial-flow motors, 800 Volt batteries and futuristic solutions such as wheels with active aerodynamics
3' min read
3' min read
"Mr Sulu: take us to warp speed!" A command that Captain James T. Kirk used to give to his helmsman on the bridge of the starship USS Enterprise when he wanted to reach maximum speed. While the warp drive has so far remained the preserve of the iconic Star Trek saga, the electric axle motor is poised to propel the production version of the Mercedes Amg GT XX to over 360 km/h thanks to a peak power output of more than 1,360 hp. In short, it goes where no electric car has gone before, to pick up the thread of Star Trek The Affalterbach marque's first electric car made its debut in concept form, anticipating a long series of details that will be on the road from 2026, starting with the new high-performance battery developed from scratch, which allows for a level of performance and endurance never seen before such as just five minutes of refuelling to rack up 400 kilometres of Wltp range. At an impressive 5.2 metres long, the four-seater coupé introduces unprecedented styling and a series of solutions designed to ensure the best performance in every situation.
One example comes in the form of the active Aero Wheel, which solves the conflict between brake cooling, aerodynamic efficiency and maximum range. The 21-inch five-spoke wheel is equipped with five moving elements. When closed, these blades seal the wheel flush, thus reducing aerodynamic drag. This improves range and reduces energy consumption. Featuring previews such as luminescent paint surfaces along the flanks, integrated speakers in the front headlights and the Mbux Fluid Light panel at the rear, the GT XX anticipates the first production model based on the Amg.Ea high-performance architecture.
Developed by Yasa and manufactured in the new Berlin plant, axial-flow motors are significantly more compact, lighter and above all more powerful than conventional (radial-flow) electric motors. The power density of axial-flow motors is about three times higher than that of conventional electric motors. At the same time, the motors weigh about two thirds less and occupy only one third of the space. Specifically, peak power exceeds 1,000 kW (over 1,360 horsepower) with the motors integrated into two high-performance electric drive units, one at the front and one at the rear.
The new batteries, integrated in the platform and developed especially for the Gt XX, are based on an Ncma (nickel/cobalt/manganese/aluminium) composition and promise performance to match the logo on the bonnet with a very high average charging power of more than 850 kW at 1,000 amps over a wide part of the charging curve.
Presented in a Sunset beam orange colour scheme, it sports a front grille that reinterprets the iconic AMG design with ten vertical slats. The vertically arranged headlights introduce a new style with low and high beams stacked one above the other. Long list on the active dynamics front with a series of details designed to ensure alyte performance. At the rear stand out new light clusters and the LED character panel christened Mbux Fluid Light. On board one notices a steering wheel similar to that of the One supercar. The cockpit is oriented towards the driver with two screens: a 10.25-inch instrument display and a 14-inch multimedia touchscreen. The user interface and management of the car are based on the proprietary Mercedes Benz Operating System (Mb.Os). To keep weight down, the carbon-fibre shell seats in the rear - including the cushions - are fully integrated into the rear bulkhead of the car.The drive is all-wheel drive. The three electric motors, which are completely disconnected from each other, allow variable torque distribution between the front and rear wheels to provide a real AMG driving feel.
