This wild Mercedes-AMG concept car just demolished several EV distance records – including driving ‘around the world’ in eight days

The upcoming AMG GT XX drove 5,479km (3,404 miles) in 24 hours
It went on to break 25 long-distance records on the Nardò test track in Italy
Mercedes-Benz says the motors and batteries are ‘production ready’

Mercedes-Benz has been busy proving that its upcoming AMG GT XX can go the distance by driving it around the world. Well, 40,075 kilometers (24,901 miles) in exactly 7 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes and 07 seconds… to be precise.

The achievement was just one of the many long-distance records set during a grueling challenge at the high speed Nardò test track in Italy, where a slew of drivers and two vehicles maintained a constant speed of 300km/h (186mph), only stopping to briefly brim batteries via purpose-built 850kW charging infrastructure.

Mercedes-Benz was keen to point out that the AMG GT XX is capable of much higher speeds, but the 300 km/h (186mph) marker was carefully selected based on extensive simulations that balanced average track speeds with the number of charging stops required for the fastest overall time.

During the stunt, Mercedes broke a total of 25 long-distance records, including the greatest distance covered by an EV in 24 hours (a pretty impressive 3,405 miles).

Overall, it required 3,177 laps of the 12.68km Nardò circuit, where 17 drivers took two-hour shifts behind the wheel, including Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 driver George Russell.

Betting big on new technology

Mercedes-AMG GT XX distance record — (Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)

The impressive feat wasn’t just designed to snare a few headlines, as Mercedes-AMG is also keen to highlight the performance and robustness of its pioneering new powertrain.

This is a point that’s particularly pertinent given its long and illustrious career in producing fearsome combustion engines and the difficulty it might have converting its current customer base.

Consisting of three axial-flux motors, an 800V electrical architecture and in-house developed cylindrical cell batteries – which use an electrically non-conductive oil for cooling purposes – the futuristic powertrain in the AMG GT XX concept is said to offer in excess of 1,360hp and is able to charge at over 850kW across a wide range of the charging curve.

During the reveal of the AMG GTXX concept earlier this year, senior Mercedes figures told TechRadar that the company hopes to roll out its own 10,000-strong super-fast charging network using 850kW technology by the next decade.

During the endurance endeavor, the German marque claimed it took just five minutes to recharge enough for a range of around 400 kilometers (248 miles).

Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑AMG, said that the company is the first to use axial flux motors and directly cooled batteries in fully electric models and that the records prove “how superior these technologies are”.

Mercedes-AMG GT XX distance record

(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)

What’s more, he said that customers of future electric models will get a genuine AMG, “no ifs; no buts”.

However, Mercedes-AMG also understands the threat from China, with Xpeng’s P7 electric sedan traveling almost 4,000km (2,485 miles) in 24 hours just last week — laying down the challenge for other manufacturers.

Xiaomi’s YU7 Max also managed 2,451 miles during a similar stunt, proving that potent powertrains and rapid charging speeds are no longer just the preserve of recognized performance brands.