This, if you can believe it, will be entering Mercedes-Benz showrooms in the not-too-distant future. You’re looking at Mercedes-AMG’s new Concept AMG GT XX which, as the name suggests, will preview a production version of the AMG GT 4-Door‘s successor.
But whereas that car can be had with a range of combustion and plug-in hybrid powertrains, the AMG GT XX is purely electric, based on the purpose-built AMG Electric Architecture (AMG.EA). That means it will debut some interesting high-performance technologies, many of which were derived from Formula 1.
The first is a new axial flux motor developed by subsidiary Yasa, already used in cars like the Ferrari 296 GTB and SF90 Stradale and the Lamborghini Temerario and Revuelto; this is its first in-house application. Compared to conventional radial flux motors, these are two-thirds lighter and take up just one-third of the space, yet they have three times the power density, capable of considerably higher sustained output.
And that output makes for quite some reading – three motors, one at the front and two at the back, deliver a quoted total of more than 1,000 kW (1,360 PS), enabling the AMG GT XX to hit a top speed of over 360 km/h. For those keeping score, yes, that’s higher than what the AMG One hypercar is capable of, and that one has an actual Formula 1 engine. Who says EVs can’t hit high speeds?
Those motors are juiced by a battery specially developed by Affalterbach and Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) in Brixworth – the latter of Formula 1 fame – and uses a nickel cobalt manganese aluminium (NCMA) chemistry with a silicon anode and a full-tab configuration, meaning less internal resistance. The cylindrical cells are long and thin and come in an aluminium housing, aiding cooling in concert with an oil-based coolant that flows directly around the cells.
The result is a battery that can deliver repeatable high energy while maintaining a high power density and seriously rapid charging. How rapid? Try a searing 850 kW thanks to an 800-volt architecture, meaning it can pump in 400 km of additional range – enough for it to get from Affalterbach to Spa-Francorchamps, Mercedes helpfully adds – in just five minutes. Hopefully, the production version will come with a voltage booster to allow for charging at 400-volt stations, unlike some of Stuttgart’s other offerings…
Keeping the battery happy is a precise temperature control system that quickly heats the pack up to an optimum temperature and then keeping it cool. This not only allows for faster charging speeds but also minimises the battery’s aging – even during spirited driving with frequent discharge under hard acceleration and strong regenerative braking pumping electricity back in.
All this is housed in a body structure made out of aluminium, steel and fibre composite materials, with the battery integrated within and forming part of the crash structure. The car itself is long and low, with a sweeping roofline and orange paint that, together with the low, wide-mouthed Panamericana grille, twin bonnet nostrils and twin black bonnet stripes, is clearly meant to channel the experimental C111 prototype.
Almost as striking is the conspicuous lack of gaudy three-pointed stars. For instance, the slim vertical headlights consists simply of twin projectors; the housing itself forms part of an external speaker for the “driving sounds”, saving space and weight. Meanwhile, the taillights are made up of three circles on either side, giving the car a Ferrari-like vibe (am I the only one getting hints of 812 Superfast?).
Between those lamps is an MBUX Fluid Light Panel containing more than 700 RGB LEDs, which can be used to communicate with the outside world. The contoured underbody creating ground effect downforce eliminates the need for drag-inducing wings or spoilers, but there is a pop-up airbrake hidden in the tailgate. As is becoming the norm these days (for seemingly no apparent reason), there is no rear windscreen.
Aerodynamics is a key factor in the AMG GT XX’s design. Thanks to features like the slim door mirrors, flush pop-out door handles, low-slung roofline and active grille shutter, the drag coefficient is an impressive 0.198 despite the fat tyres, allowing the car to hit its comparatively lofty top speed (Mercedes says that at 300 km/h, 83% of the drive energy is used to overcome drag.
Other features include a clearly-defined floor that runs from the front splitter through the side skirts to the large carbon fibre rear diffuser. The side sills are where another innovation is located – MBUX Fluid Light Paint. Sections of the panels are covered in electroluminescent paint that not only provides a striking glow at night but also serves as a charging indicator. The technology was trialled on AMG GT3 race cars at the Nürburgring 24 Hours last weekend.
In a world first, the wheels feature active aero with five movable elements. They reduce drag and improve range when closed, but they can also be opened to not only cool the brakes but also draw turbulent air out of the wheel wells. The actuator for the elements is powered using electricity generated by the moving wheels and is connected to the car using Bluetooth.
Step inside and you’ll find an interior heavily inspired by the AMG One, replete with a floating display panel, discrete silver centre air vents and a rectangular steering wheel. The latter features paddles for controlling the regenerative braking strength and is topped by lights to signal recuperation and power output, although it’s not hard to imagine them being repurposed as paddle shifters and shift lights for simulated gear changes, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N style.
Elsewhere, there’s a 10.25-inch digital instrument display and a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen that is angled towards the driver. They sit atop a flat dashboard that dispenses with cladding in favour of a wrinkle finish reminiscent of engine cam covers, even if the real reason is probably to save costs by not using soft-touch materials.
The same finish is found on the centre console, formed by an extrusion from the body-in-white. They feature illuminated orange tubes meant to mimic high-voltage cables and are topped by heatsink-like finned elements topped by the AMG crest. It seems the designers stared too hard at the internals of a gaming PC…
The roof is made of carbon fibre and is not covered in headlining, saving weight (and again, maybe costs) together with fabric door pulls and the carbon buckets; the pews behind are integrated into the rear bulkhead. The 3D-printed cushion pads are upholstered in Labfiber “biotech” faux leather and suede upholstery made from discarded rubber from GT3 race cars, while the door pulls are formed in faux silk created by genetically-modified bacteria. Six-point harnesses are fitted at the front.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.