Mercedes-AMG has shattered no fewer than 25 electric vehicle (EV) speed and distance records during an arduous, week-long ultramarathon run at the Nardò high-speed test track in southern Italy. Two highly visible orange Concept AMG GT XX prototypes, representing a forthcoming electric-powered Mercedes-AMG four-door super sedan, were pushed to their limits by a team of 17 racing drivers, including Formula 1 driver George Russell and Doriane Pin, over nearly eight days of continuous lapping.

The most prominent achievement was covering an astounding 5,479 kilometers (3,404 miles) within a 24-hour period, significantly surpassing the previous EV record of under 4,000 kilometers (specifically beating the existing 2,461-mile record by 943 miles). This particular feat was achieved at an average speed of just over 142 mph. Over the course of 3,177 laps of the 7.8-mile Nardò Ring, the cars also managed to literally circumnavigate the globe, covering 40,075 kilometers (24,901 miles – the Earth’s equatorial circumference) in 7 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes, and 7 seconds, maintaining an impressive average speed of more than 137 mph, even accounting for stops for recharging and tire changes. Further distance milestones included 5,000 miles in just over 35 hours, 10,000 miles in under three days, and 20,000 miles in six days and 23 minutes, consistently running at 186 mph while on track.

The record-breaking drive was not merely a demonstration of raw power but a testament to Mercedes-AMG's groundbreaking electric vehicle architecture, AMG.EA. Powering the Concept AMG GT XX is a 1,340 horsepower, tri-motor powertrain featuring advanced axial-flux motors, identical to those destined for the production version of the car and AMG's future high-performance electric SUV. These axial-flux motors, developed by British-based Mercedes-Benz subsidiary Yasa Ltd., were praised by George Russell for their immediate and precise response, akin to a Formula 1 drivetrain, yet offering the endurance typically associated with combustion engines.

A critical enabler of the vehicles' extraordinary speed and endurance was the in-house developed high-performance battery for the AMG.EA architecture. Engineered with the assistance of experts from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team, this battery boasts over 3,000 cells with a unique nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminium (NCMA) combination in the cathode and a silicon-content anode. The cells' tall and thin design, encased in lightweight laser-welded aluminium housings, facilitates superior electrical and heat conductivity, allowing for highly effective cooling by an electrically non-conductive oil.

The charging capabilities were equally remarkable, with the cars averaging an 850 kW charge rate over the week, and peaking at 950 kW from an Alpitronic megawatt charger. This enabled the recovery of approximately 250 miles of range in just five minutes. Drivers maintained two-hour stints, consistently accelerating up to 186 mph before requiring a charge. The run took place under challenging conditions, with average daytime ambient temperatures reaching 35°C (95°F) and track temperatures soaring to 160°F, alongside occasional overnight rain showers. To underscore the consistency of the performance, a second AMG GT XX finished a mere 15.5 miles behind the record-setting car at the conclusion of the marathon.

Markus Schäfer, Mercedes-Benz CTO, stated the goal was to