All electric Mercedes-AMG concept breaks all sorts of distance records

An all-electric concept car from Mercedes-AMG has broken 25 long-distance driving records, including the record for greatest distance ever covered by an electric vehicle (EV) in 24 hours.

The Concept AMG GT XX – a “pioneering technology programme that offers an impressive insight into a forthcoming four-door series-production sports car from Mercedes-AMG”, according to the company – recently undertook a mammoth series of tests at the legendary high-speed test track in Nardò, Italy.

Previously, the record had sat at under 4,000 kilometres, but the Concept AMG GT XX travelled 5,479 kilometres in 24 hours, beating the old record by 1,518 kilometres, or 38 per cent.

The 24-hour record was just one of several records that Mercedes-AMG was hunting as part of a testing marathon which aimed to drive “around the world in eight days”. One of the two Concept AMG GT XX cars completed a total of 40,075 kilometres in exactly 7 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes, and 07 seconds.

Both cars travelled the same distance and finished only 25 kilometres apart.

A total of 3,177 laps were completed of the 12.68‑kilometre Nardò circuit by a team of experienced racing drivers working in two-hour shifts, driving at a constant speed of 300km/h.

On average, the Concept AMG GT XX travelled over 5,300 kilometres each day in conditions which were far from favourable, including temperatures rising to 35 degrees Celsius in the shade – hinting at extreme on-track temperatures.

The cars only stopped to recharge, using fast charging speeds of around 850 kilowatts (kW), and relied on a huge team of pit crew who handled charging and tyre changes, round-the-clock fire and rescue services, external specialists including tyre supplier Michelin and charging station specialist Alpitronic, and remote support staff back at home base in Affalterbach.

A total of 17 drivers took part in the nearly 8-days of driving, including George Russell, team driver with Formula 1 team Mercedes‑AMG Petronas, F1 Academy driver Doriane Pin, German racing driver Luca Stolz, and GT Driver Fabian Vettel, the younger brother of Formula 1 Drivers’ Champion Sebastian Vettel.

“As an F1 driver, I’m used to pushing technology to its absolute limits – the Concept AMG GT XX really impressed me,” said George Russell.

“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.”

The three axial flux motors combine to generate a peak output of over 1,000 kW, corresponding to over 1,360 horsepower.

The rear axle has two oil-cooled axial flux motors, which are combined with compact gearboxes and one inverter each in a single housing, while the front electric drive acts as a booster motor and is only activated when needed to provide additional power or traction.

The records, times, and distances completed by the two concept vehicles are as follows:

Distances

 Time

Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.