At first glance, the Mercedes-AMG GT XX looks like a futuristic concept vehicle—an orange bolt from some sci-fi universe. But look closer at the lower-left corner of the windshield and you'll spot something very real: a VIN number. That’s right—under all the show car flair lies the core of AMG’s next-gen electric performance lineup, built on a real chassis, with a very real tri-motor powertrain churning out an absurd 1,340 horsepower. Capable of over 220 mph, this machine is more than a concept—it's a high-voltage wake-up call.
During a private track session in Southern California, Mark Hansen, an AMG loyalist with multiple V8s in his garage, had a chance to pilot the GT XX prototype. “The acceleration? It felt like getting punched in the back by a heavyweight,” he said. A skeptic of EVs at first, Hansen admits this one made him a believer. “I thought EVs were soul-less. This one? It’s got attitude.”
Though Mercedes labels it a concept, the GT XX isn’t just a showpiece. The production model will look slightly different—taller roofline, a rear window hatch, and more practical front and rear fascias—but it’ll keep the aggressive AMG grille and the six signature round taillights. This isn't a departure from AMG's identity; it’s an evolution.
Some of the more eye-popping elements, like the active aero wheels with blades that open and close for brake cooling, illuminated side sills, and a configurable light panel between the taillights may not make it to dealerships. But what matters most—the tri-motor electric setup and cutting-edge battery system—absolutely will.
The heart of the beast is a trio of axial flux motors developed by UK-based Yasa Ltd., a Mercedes-Benz subsidiary. These motors differ from the radial ones found in most EVs. With a disc-shaped design that allows magnetic flux to flow parallel to the shaft, they're more efficient, 67% lighter, and deliver triple the power density. According to Yasa CEO Jörg Miska, they also provide twice the torque density.
The rear axle houses two motors in a single electric drive unit (EDU) that includes its own silicon carbide inverters, planetary gearbox, and dual cooling systems—one oil-based for the motors, one water-based for the inverters. The rear EDU alone produces over 860 hp. Up front, a third motor kicks in when traction or acceleration demand it, but remains disengaged during cruising to improve efficiency.
Why not four motors, like the G580? AMG says it’s all about hitting the sweet spot of performance without unnecessary weight. When your car already does 220 mph and sprints like a cheetah on nitrous, anything more feels like overkill.
As if the powertrain weren’t enough, the battery is a tech showcase of its own. Developed by AMG’s Formula 1 hybrid powertrain team in Brixworth, UK, it features over 3,000 vertically oriented cells cooled by a non-conductive oil system. It uses a nickel cobalt manganese aluminum (NCMA) cathode and silicon in the anode—materials rarely found in production EVs. Encased in laser-welded aluminum housings, the battery offers superior heat management and electrical efficiency.
Fast charging? You bet. AMG’s engineers say the car can absorb over 850 kW of charging power. Even current 350 kW fast chargers won’t be a bottleneck. With a prototype charger developed alongside Europe’s Alpitronic, Mercedes claims the car could gain 250 miles of range in just 5 minutes—numbers that put range anxiety firmly in the rearview mirror.
Performance-wise, AMG says the GT XX won't just be fast in a straight line—it’s built for endurance. According to AMG chief Michael Schiebe, the production car will be capable of three flat-out laps around the Nürburgring Nordschleife—nearly 40 miles at race pace—without suffering performance drop-off. “People think gas-powered performance cars can go flat-out forever,” he says. “But even they fade after three hot laps. Tires go, fuel goes. If we can match that in an EV, we’ve already won.”
Sound, often a weak point for EVs, won’t be ignored. The GT XX features a custom-engineered soundscape played through the car’s speakers, tuned to match acceleration and wheel speed. During an executive test drive, one board member reportedly exclaimed, “This is the best V-8 we’ve ever made!”
A bold statement—but one that makes sense when you consider how it feels. AMG wants this car to move you, not just with numbers, but with emotion. “Our customers don’t just buy specs,” says Schiebe. “They buy passion. The AMG.EA platform is built to engage every sense.”
With a staggering 0.198 drag coefficient, active rear diffuser, and massive 21-inch tires—275s up front and 315s in the rear—the GT XX is as serious about downforce as it is about thrust. Underneath, the bonded aluminum chassis helps shave weight while maintaining structural rigidity.
And this is just the beginning. AMG confirms that the GT XX will be the first of several performance models riding on the new AMG.EA platform. Expect a high-performance SUV to follow, and yes, a true electric sports coupe is on the roadmap as well. The platform is modular, and both motor and battery systems are flexible enough to fit a wide range of body styles.
So, what is the GT XX, really? It’s not just a concept car. It’s AMG’s shot across the bow—their declaration that the electric future doesn’t have to be quiet, soft, or sterile. It can scream. It can shake your bones. And it can make even die-hard petrolheads grin like it’s 1995 again.