Mercedes-Benz’s Concept AMG GT XX has once again proven it’s more than just a showpiece. Unveiled with bold claims of extreme performance, the prototype backs them up with staggering numbers: three electric motors delivering 1,341 horsepower and a top speed of 223 mph—outpacing even the AMG One hypercar.
Now, the production-intent EV has added another accolade to its resume. It has set a new endurance world record for electric vehicles, covering 3,405 miles in just 24 hours. This achievement eclipses the previous benchmark held by a Chinese sedan by nearly 1,000 miles, underscoring the GT XX’s blend of speed, efficiency, and stamina.
But Mercedes-Benz didn’t stop there. After an intensive eight-day trial, the Concept AMG GT XX set yet another benchmark for endurance. Over the course of continuous testing, the car logged an astonishing 24,901 miles—the equivalent of circling the Earth’s equator. Fittingly, the brand dubbed the feat “Around the World in Eight Days.”
What made the achievement even more remarkable was the consistency across the test vehicles. Two GT XX prototypes participated in the challenge, and after more than a week of nonstop driving, they finished just 15.5 miles apart, underscoring the precision and reliability engineered into the EV.
The Team Clocked 3,177 Laps at Nardò
The record-breaking run took place at Italy’s Nardò High-Speed Test Track, where the Concept AMG GT XX completed its “drive around the world” in 7 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes, and 7 seconds—well under the eight-day target.
To achieve this, the EV circled the 7.88-mile track an astonishing 3,177 times, maintaining an average speed of 186 mph and covering roughly 3,293 miles each day. For anyone frustrated by a 100-mile daily commute, the feat serves as a jaw-dropping reminder of what’s possible when engineering and endurance collide.
| Key Distance & Time Milestones | ||
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | Distance (miles) | Time Achieved |
| 2,000 km | 1,243 mi | 8h 40m 34s |
| 3,961 km (Route 66 length) | 2,462 mi | 17h 14m 42s |
| 5,000 km | 3,107 mi | 21h 54m 47s |
| 7,300 km (F1 season total) | 4,536 mi | 1d 8h 07m 58s |
| 10,000 km | 6,214 mi | 1d 20h 10m 00s |
| 20,000 km | 12,427 mi | 3d 16h 41m 52s |
| 21,196 km (Great Wall length) | 13,171 mi | 3d 22h 03m 22s |
| 25,000 km | 15,534 mi | 4d 15h 44m 51s |
| 30,000 km | 18,641 mi | 5d 14h 26m 53s |
| 40,000 km | 24,855 mi | 7d 13h 02m 59s |
| 40,075 km (Earth’s circumference) | 24,901 mi | 7d 13h 24m 07s |
Mercedes-Benz assembled an elite roster for the endurance challenge, featuring AMG GT drivers, rally specialists, endurance racers, and F1 star George Russell. The team rotated in two-hour shifts to keep the car at peak performance, braving extreme conditions with ambient temperatures reaching 95°F—and even hotter on the track under direct sunlight.
Charging stops were brief thanks to the GT XX’s ultra-fast 850-kW system, which can add 249 miles of range in just five minutes, keeping the record attempt moving almost nonstop.
Formula 1-Inspired Battery Technology
Mercedes-Benz’s record underscores the Concept AMG GT XX’s impressive engineering, even in prototype form. The EV is powered by three axial flux motors—two at the rear and one front booster—producing a combined peak output exceeding 1,300 horsepower.
The standout feature is the advanced EV architecture and battery system. Beyond its 800V+ capabilities, which reduce cabling weight and shorten charging times, the GT XX uses a directly cooled, Formula 1-inspired high-performance battery. This design allows the car to sustain high power output repeatedly, maintaining peak performance even during grueling endurance runs.
| Hourly Performance Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hours | Distance (km) | Distance (miles) |
| 12h | 2,750 km | 1,709 mi |
| 24h | 5,479 km | 3,405 mi |
| 48h | 10,860 km | 6,746 mi |
| 72h | 16,250 km | 10,099 mi |
| 96h | 21,632 km | 13,442 mi |
| 120h | 26,808 km | 16,651 mi |
| 144h | 32,099 km | 19,957 mi |
| 168h | 37,260 km | 23,153 mi |
“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 revolutionise the driving experience – both on the racetrack and on the road.”
– George Russell, Mercedes‑AMG PETRONAS F1 team driver
The Concept AMG GT XX is expected to form the basis of an all-electric successor to the current gas-powered GT 4-Door Coupe. Mercedes-AMG is also promising unique driving experiences, including simulated gear shifts and other innovations, signaling that Affalterbach’s next EV will deliver not only raw performance but also the engaging character AMG enthusiasts have come to expect.
