Mercedes-AMG has achieved a remarkable feat with its new Concept AMG GT XX, shattering no fewer than 25 electric vehicle (EV) speed and distance records during an intense ultramarathon run at the high-speed Nardò test track in southern Italy. This groundbreaking event, which lasted for almost eight days, saw two Concept AMG GT XXs driven by a team of 17 racing drivers, including Formula 1 star George Russelland Doriane Pin.

The most prominent record set was the equivalent of circumnavigating the Earth’s equator, covering an astonishing 40,075 kilometers (24,901 miles) in just 7 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes, and 7 seconds, at an average speed exceeding 137 mph, including recharge and tire change stops. In a 24-hour period, one of the vehicles covered 5,479 kilometers (3,404 miles), significantly surpassing the previous EV record of under 4,000 kilometers by 943 miles. The cars also recorded 5,000 miles in just over 35 hours, 10,000 miles in under three days, and 20,000 miles in just over six days.

Photo Credit: MotorTrend

These extraordinary achievements underscore the capabilities of Mercedes-AMG’s new AMG.EA electric vehicle architecture. The Concept AMG GT XX is powered by a 1,340 horsepower, tri-motor axial-flux powertrain, identical to that planned for forthcoming production versions of AMG’s high-performance electric models.

A critical enabler of this performance was the vehicle’s high-performance battery, developed in-house at Mercedes with expertise from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1team.This battery features over 3,000 cells with a unique nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminium (NCMA) cathode and a silicon-content anode, designed for efficient cooling via electrically non-conductive oil.

A standout innovation demonstrated during the marathon was the Concept AMG GT XX’s remarkably impressive charging speeds. The vehicle consistently accepted an average charge rate of around 850 kW, with a peak rate of 950 kW from a megawatt charger.

Photo Credit: Top Gear

This means approximately 250 miles of range could be recovered in just five minutes of charging, showcasing a significant leap in EV charging technology. The two cars maintained constant speeds of up to 186 mph while on track, demonstrating not just acceleration but also sustained endurance, even in challenging conditions with ambient temperatures reaching up to 35°C (95°F) and track temperatures as high as 160°F.