Mercedes-AMG plugs in with the 1,341-horsepower GT XX Concept

Known for its thunderous V8 engines, Mercedes-AMG is making a dramatic shift towards an electric future. The brand has unveiled the Concept AMG GT XX, a stunning four-door coupe that serves as a direct preview of the next-generation AMG GT 4-Door. Packing a tri-motor powertrain with 1,341 horsepower (1,000 kW), this concept is less of a gentle nod to electric vehicles and more of a full-throated, high-voltage declaration of intent.

The GT XX concept is built on the new, dedicated AMG.EA (AMG Electric Architecture) platform, a clean-sheet design that will underpin the brand's future high-performance EVs. This platform allows for a low-slung, aggressive design, but the styling of the GT XX is bound to be divisive.

The front end is dominated by an expansive grille that stretches nearly the full width of the car, integrating the auxiliary lights. Above it sit stacked headlights and a hood sculpted with prominent air outlets, hinting at the serious cooling required. Its drag coefficient is a remarkably low 0.198, aided by features like the absence of a traditional rear window, something that was started by the Polestar 4.

From the side, the vehicle has a sleek, coupe-like roofline, flush door handles, and unique 21-inch aero wheels. These wheels feature active sections that open to cool the brakes and close to improve aerodynamics. Adding a futuristic touch, the side sills incorporate "luminescent paint segments" that can glow.

The rear of the car features six circular LED taillights and a large, active airbrake. A particularly novel feature is the MBUX Fluid Light Panel, composed of over 700 LEDs, that can display messages or animations to the outside world.

The interior is as forward-thinking as the powertrain, featuring a minimalist, driver-focused cockpit with a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 14-inch infotainment screen, a compact steering wheel inspired by the AMG ONE hypercar, and lightweight carbon fiber seats.

But it is that powertrain where the GT XX truly stakes its claim. It uses three compact and lightweight axial flux motors developed in collaboration with Yasa, a British specialist firm now owned by Mercedes. One motor is mounted on the front axle, while two are located at the rear, enabling a fully variable all-wheel-drive system. The combined output of 1,341 horsepower is enough for a top speed exceeding 224 mph. While acceleration figures have not been released, this level of power places the eventual production car squarely in competition with the fastest electric cars on the market.

Powering this performance is an entirely new battery. Developed from the ground up, it features a nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum (NCMA) chemistry with a silicon-rich anode, offering an impressive energy density of 300 Wh/kg. The battery has cylindrical cells with a unique direct cooling system, where a specialized coolant flows around each individual cell to maintain optimal temperature.

One of the most significant technological leaps is the charging capability. Mercedes claims the GT XX can add approximately 249 miles of range in just five minutes. This is made possible by an 800-volt architecture and the ability to handle an average charging power of more than 850 kW.

Since the public chargers are nowhere near this powerful, Mercedes has partnered with Alpitronic to develop prototype charging stations. The plan is to upgrade the Mercedes-Benz Charging Network with next-generation chargers to support these future EVs.

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