Driving into the Future with 30 Patents: The Mercedes-AMG CONCEPT AMG GT XX

Mercedes-AMG presents the CONCEPT AMG GT XX, marking a milestone in the evolution of all-electric high-performance vehicles. It offers a first glimpse of the upcoming production model based on the brand-new AMG.EA high-performance platform. As a four-door coupé, the concept blends visionary design with a wealth of technological innovations both inside and out. This technology program is the result of close collaboration between Mercedes-Benz development hubs in Sindelfingen and Untertürkheim, Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach, electric motor specialists YASA in the UK, and AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) in Brixworth. High-precision motor production takes place at the Berlin-Marienfelde plant, involving around 100 complex processes, 65 of which are new to Mercedes-Benz and 35 entirely world firsts. Cutting-edge laser technologies, artificial intelligence, and innovative joining methods are all part of the process. More than 30 patents document the technological lead of this project. “With the CONCEPT AMG GT XX, we’ve managed to translate this vision into the future. Sports cars have always been icons of our brand – emotionally charged and symbolic of unique moments in our history. That’s what makes designing them so special. Icons like the 300 SL and the legendary Silver Arrows represent the emotional core of our identity – just like the GT and the AMG ONE. Creating such masterpieces means creating the extraordinary – from the C111 and Vision One-Eleven to the future of series production. The all-new CONCEPT AMG GT XX perfectly embodies the ‘Hot’ aspect of our Sensual Purity design philosophy,” explains Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Technical highlights include a charging experience nearly on par with conventional refueling, an intelligent on-demand thermal management system for sustained peak performance, and a so-called Disconnect Unit (DCU) that enhances range and efficiency. Many of the technologies debuting in the CONCEPT AMG GT XX are already planned for future production.

The CONCEPT AMG GT XX sets new benchmarks in the high-performance segment: three state-of-the-art axial-flux electric motors – two at the rear axle and one at the front – deliver a combined peak output of over 1,000 kW (>1,360 PS). This setup enables a top speed exceeding 360 km/h. The front motor acts as a “booster motor” and, thanks to the Disconnect Unit, can be decoupled from the drivetrain to improve efficiency. At the same time, the system has been consistently optimized for high recuperation and constant acceleration. Compared to conventional radial-flux machines, axial-flux motors offer significant advantages: they are three times more power-dense, around two-thirds lighter, and require only one-third of the usual installation space. Measuring just 9 cm in the front and 8 cm at the rear, their disc-like architecture – with the stator positioned between two rotors – ensures efficient power transmission in the most compact form. At the heart of the powertrain lies the newly developed High Performance Electric Battery (HP.EB), inspired by Formula 1 and the AMG ONE. It employs high-density cylindrical cells with NCMA cathode and silicon-rich anode chemistry, allowing energy densities exceeding 300 Wh/kg and 740 Wh/l. Full-tab technology minimizes internal resistance, while a dedicated direct cooling system using non-conductive oil ensures thermal stability under extreme conditions. Operating at over 800 volts, the system enables ultra-fast charging, that means up to 400 km (WLTP) of range in just five minutes. Efficiency is further enhanced by a comprehensive aerodynamic concept: at 300 km/h, 83% of the vehicle’s energy is consumed in overcoming air resistance. The design meets this challenge: a low silhouette, steeply raked windshields, the omission of a rear window, a specially contoured underbody with Venturi effect, and a finely tuned aero-balance all reduce turbulence. A drag coefficient of just 0.198 (despite wide high-performance tires) demonstrates the car’s aerodynamic excellence. The AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system with three individually controllable motors allows fully variable torque distribution, from pure rear-wheel to all-wheel drive. Intelligent control algorithms ensure maximum traction, stability, and energy efficiency. A world first innovation is the active aero wheel: the 21-inch forged wheels are equipped with five individually controllable aeroblades that dynamically reduce drag or open for brake cooling as needed. Each blade is operated by its own actuator with integrated power supply and Bluetooth communication.

The exterior design of the CONCEPT AMG GT XX is boldly expressive. The body is finished in a vivid Sunset Beam Orange with a metallic sheen that shimmers like molten metal, powerfully accentuating its sculptural lines. AMG’s distinctive design language fuses sports car proportions with modern aesthetics. A flowing fastback, low-slung hood, and sharply angled windshield define its unmistakable silhouette. At the front, the newly designed AMG grille features ten vertical slats with a concave contour, flanked by vertical main headlights with tiered lighting modules and rectangular auxiliary lights. Two power domes on the hood emphasize its muscular stance, while finned air outlets enhance thermodynamic performance. The wide front splitter extends into the sides and incorporates an Air Curtain function to direct airflow. In profile, the concept car impresses with its low nose, flared fenders, sleek greenhouse with double-bubble roof, and three side windows. Elevated side mirrors, flush door handles, and contoured side skirts combine form with aerodynamic function. At the rear, the wide exposed-carbon diffuser pays tribute to AMG’s motorsport legacy and echoes the AMG ONE. Six deep red, circular taillights with conical light layout create a captivating depth effect. The MBUX Fluid Light Panel, with over 700 individually controllable RGB LEDs, delivers visual accents while serving a communicative function: it can display the AMG logo or charging status in real time. An active airbrake at the rear edge as well as a sharply defined contour line lend the vehicle a distinctive identity. A genuine innovation is the electroluminescent paintwork: certain segments of the body glow when electrically charged—visible at night or while charging. Colored AMG accents along the side sills enhance brand identity and serve as a visual interface, displaying animations such as charging indicators or start-up sequences. Acoustically, the CONCEPT AMG GT XX breaks new ground: speakers integrated into the front headlights use the housing as a resonance chamber. This space-saving construction with passive membrane technology produces powerful bass and enables new soundscapes while improving pedestrian safety through targeted acoustic signals.

The interior of the CONCEPT AMG GT XX combines purist motorsport aesthetics with technical sophistication and forward-thinking materials. Its design is functional, premium, and driver-focused, dominated by a black color scheme accented with silver and orange. Two large-format displays – the 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 14-inch multimedia screen – are integrated into a seamless glass surface. The rectangular AMG steering wheel with paddles and eight LED indicators, inspired by the AMG ONE, offers precise control and visual performance feedback. The center console features orange-illuminated tubes and visible aluminum structures, with the AMG crest prominently displayed. The doors reflect the same design language: reduced to the essentials, they include extruded aluminum armrests, backlit racing perforations, and orange pull straps. Innovative materials underline the vehicle’s forward-looking concept: LABFIBER, a biotech-derived leather alternative made from recycled GT3 tires and plant-based materials, replaces conventional upholstery. It is lightweight, robust, breathable, waterproof, and fully recyclable. Biotechnological silk is also used, for example for the orange door straps. Highlights are the tailor-made, 3D-printed seat pads: breathable, custom-fit using body scan data, and covered in LABFIBER Pearl Black. Carbon-fiber bucket seats with integrated headrests and six-point harnesses underscore the vehicle’s racing DNA. The new MB.OS operating system, with a custom-developed interface, centrally controls all vehicle functions. Animations on the multimedia display visualize the electric drivetrain, turning high-tech into a tangible experience.