The death of the V8 might feel less like an inevitability in recent months than it did, say, two years ago. And there have been fewer and fewer vehicles that made us okay acquiescing to the electric revolution. That might all change with the unveiling of Mercedes’ latest Concept AMG GT XX.
Most EVs feel like they’re apologizing for being electric but the GT XX takes the opposite approach. It’s unapologetically electric, leveraging advantages that internal combustion simply can’t match, all while having the overall aesthetic of a touring vehicle.
The Heart of the Revolution
Boasting a trio of electric motors producing 1,341hp with a five-minute charging time that gives you nearly 250 miles of range, the new AMG is essentially a soft rollout of features that will likely make their way into production models in the future.
For the task, AMG has partnered with British motor specialist YASA to develop axial flux motors that are fundamentally different from what powers most EVs today. Where conventional radial flux motors are essentially tubes within tubes, these axial flux units feature disc-shaped stators that allow electromagnetic flux to flow parallel to the motor shaft rather than perpendicular to it.
These motors are 67% lighter and 67% smaller, yet deliver 3x the power density of conventional electric motors. The rear drive unit houses two of these motors in a single casing that weighs just 308lbs but produces over 860hp. Up front, a single motor kicks in only when additional power or traction is needed, otherwise decoupling entirely to maximize efficiency.
Jaw-Dropping Battery Tech
The real innovation might be happening within the battery pack. Working with experts who worked on their Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains — the same team that develops Formula 1 hybrid systems — AMG has created a battery with over 3,000 tall, thin cylindrical cells housed in laser-welded aluminum casings. The narrow diameter means heat dissipates rapidly from the cell core, while direct oil cooling surrounds each individual cell for optimal thermal management.
This setup enables the GT XX to maintain peak performance even during aggressive driving sessions, something that’s been a persistent weakness in high-performance EVs. More impressively, it allows for that jaw-dropping 5-minute charging speed by accepting over 850kW of charging power across a wide range of its charging curve.
Mercedes has partnered with European charging specialist Alpitronic to develop prototype chargers capable of delivering this kind of power through standard CCS cables. While these ultra-fast chargers don’t exist in the wild yet, Mercedes plans to roll them out across its charging network, potentially solving one of the most common barriers to EV adoption among performance car buyers.
Style Front and Center
The GT XX’s design language feels like a natural evolution of Mercedes’ sports car DNA with its fastback silhouette that’s obviously a descendant of the current AMG GT 4-Door. However, the details reveal a car optimized for both aerodynamic efficiency and thermal management. The drag coefficient of 0.198 is somewhat staggaring, achieved through carefully sculpted bodywork that includes functional cooling outlets in the hood and an active air control system that manages airflow based on thermal demands.
Debuting in this sunset beam orange paint, the body features electroluminescent segments along the side sills that can communicate the car’s charging status and provide visual feedback to the driver. Inside, the cabin is pretty minimalist, featuring carbon fiber bucket seats with 3D-printed, customizable cushions. The LABFIBER biotechnology materials include leather alternatives made from recycled GT3 racing tires, which somehow combines both luxury and sportiness.
More to Love
The concept builds on design cues from the 2023 Vision One-Eleven, but more importantly, it carries forward the aggressive, unapologetic character that’s defined AMG since its founding in 1967. Other elements include active aero wheels with movable blades, six circular taillights that echo exhaust tips, and a V8 soundscape pumped through the audio system.
While most of these features will be added to future production models, the active wheels likely won’t make it to showrooms, and the rear window will probably return for practical reasons. But the core technology package like the axial flux motors, the high-performance battery, and the 800V architecture are already locked in for production.
Spec Sheet
Model: Mercedes Concept AMG GT XX
Powertrain: Three axial flux electric motors (two rear, one front)
Peak Output: 1,341hp
Top Speed: 223+ mph
Drive Configuration: AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive
Battery: 800V+ architecture with 3,000+ cylindrical cells
Charging Speed: ~5 minutes for 248mi
Drag Coefficient: 0.198
Wheels: 21-inch forged aluminum with active aero blades
Pricing & Availability
AMG hasn’t released official pricing for the production version, but expect the final GT XX to command well into six-figure territory when it arrives in 2026. Given the technology package and performance targets, positioning against the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and Lucid Air Sapphire suggests a starting price north of $180,000.
Recap
Mercedes Concept AMG GT XX
Mercedes’ latest concept EV revolutionizes the electric car industry with new motor technology that delivers 1,341hp and can charge in just 5 minutes.
