On June 26, 2025, Mercedes-AMG unveiled the highly forward-looking AMG GT XX concept car at Affalterbach, a sacred ground for performance car enthusiasts. Built on the AMG.EA all-electric architecture platform, this high-performance all-electric four-door GT model has captured the spotlight in the automotive industry with its revolutionary technology and unique design. At the same time, it has sparked considerable debate, particularly regarding its exterior design. However, there is no denying that its advanced technology points the way forward for the future development of high-performance electric vehicles.
Controversy and Innovation in Exterior Design
The exterior design of the AMG GT XX concept car combines classic Mercedes elements with innovative ideas, presenting a unique visual effect. However, this has also been the source of much debate.
The body features a flattened sports car silhouette, with a length of 5.20 meters, a width of 1.95 meters (2.13 meters including the side mirrors), and a height of only 1.31 meters—lower than even the Porsche Taycan. This low-slung posture, coupled with a fastback design, allows for a lowered front hood and slanted windshield, even eliminating the rear windshield. This not only optimizes aerodynamics but also creates an aggressive exterior outline. Some, however, feel this design is too radical, losing the elegance and stability typical of traditional Mercedes models.
The front end features the iconic vertical-slit grille, which is even more striking, with vertical grille bars housing auxiliary lights and an engine bay vent, showcasing a strong performance aura. A large Mercedes emblem sits in the center, encircled by a ring of light, offering high recognition. The two slim front headlights adopt an innovative vertical arrangement, breaking away from traditional headlamp designs. Perhaps most unexpectedly, the headlight clusters incorporate external speakers using passive diaphragm technology to emit powerful bass sounds, enhancing the visual experience with rich sound effects and enabling pedestrian warning functions. Yet, some argue that combining the headlights with the speakers makes the front face overly complicated, disrupting the overall clean aesthetic.
From the side, the car features flared wheel arches, a low roofline, and hidden door handles, with flowing lines creating an elegant yet dynamic profile. The 21-inch “aero wheels” are a global first, featuring variable blade aerodynamic wheel rims. The blades adjust their angle based on driving needs, lying flat against the wheel to reduce drag at high speeds and opening during aggressive driving or heavy braking to allow cooling air into the braking system. Each wheel houses micro-drivers that generate power from wheel movement and wirelessly communicate with the central control unit for self-adjustment and efficient cooling, eliminating the need for an external power source. However, some feel the exaggerated wheel design doesn’t harmonize with the car’s overall style.
At the rear, six deep red circular taillights are split across both sides, combined with a 3D pixel-style MBUX light strip in the center, giving a futuristic feel. Below, a large carbon fiber diffuser complements the vehicle’s aerodynamic design, integrating an active rear aerobrake that increases drag during braking to shorten stopping distances. The rear’s unique design and complex elements have also been controversial, with some believing it disrupts the simplicity and flow typical of vehicle tail sections. Despite the exterior controversy, the AMG GT XX achieves a drag coefficient of just 0.198, significantly reducing energy expenditure to overcome drag at speeds up to 300 km/h, boosting its high-speed range.
An F1-Inspired Powertrain
The AMG GT XX concept car’s powertrain is undeniably one of its most impressive features, showcasing Mercedes’ deep technological prowess and innovative capabilities in the electric vehicle domain.
It is the first all-electric performance vehicle in the world to utilize axial-flux motors, with three YASA-developed axial-flux electric motors. Two are mounted on the rear axle, integrated with a planetary gearset and inverter, while the third motor sits on the front axle as an additional “boost” power source. This layout enables dynamic torque distribution between the front and rear axles. Compared to the radial-flux motors commonly used in electric vehicles, axial-flux motors have a much higher power density, with the electromagnetic force acting along the motor’s axis. These motors are more compact, weighing just a third of traditional motors and occupying only a third of the space. The rear motor units are just 8 cm thick, about the width of a 6.9-inch smartphone, allowing for flexible multi-motor layout and optimization of interior space. Combined, the three motors generate over 1360 horsepower, pushing the vehicle to a top speed of over 360 km/h—nearly matching the top speeds of Formula 1 race cars. Furthermore, Mercedes-AMG engineers have developed an energy management system to precisely control the collaboration of the three motors. The AMG high-performance 4MATIC+ system allows for complete decoupling of the motors, dynamically distributing torque between the front and rear wheels, seamlessly switching between the stability of all-wheel drive and the agility of rear-wheel drive. Oil-cooled motors and water-cooled silicon-carbide inverters ensure continuous power delivery.
Regarding battery technology, the AMG GT XX is the first to feature a high-performance battery derived from F1 racing technology, developed with input from Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) F1 experts. The battery employs a four-element chemistry (NCMA), with nickel/cobalt/manganese/aluminum in the positive electrode and silicon-based material in the negative electrode, achieving an ultra-high energy density of 300 Wh/kg. Its innovative cylindrical design, combined with laser-welded aluminum battery casings, allows for faster heat dissipation during high-speed driving. The intelligent direct cooling system uses advanced cooling agents to independently cool each cell, ensuring optimal temperatures and stable power output during rapid acceleration and deceleration. With an 800-volt electrical architecture, the AMG GT XX supports an average charging power of over 850 kW, with a 5-minute charge providing a 400 km range (WLTP). This essentially addresses the range anxiety often associated with electric hypercars during long-distance driving. The battery is mounted in the central floor of the vehicle, serving as both part of the structural integrity and core of the crash safety system, optimizing the front/rear weight distribution and providing near mid-engine handling characteristics.
Sustainable and Technologically Advanced Interior
Inside the AMG GT XX concept car, the interior combines a futuristic, high-tech atmosphere with a focus on sustainability.
The central console, door armrests, and other components feature exposed white bodywork, highlighted by orange LED strips symbolizing high-voltage electricity, creating a strong futuristic vibe. A 10.25-inch instrument display and a 14-inch central touchscreen form a unified screen that tilts toward the driver, making it easy to operate and access information. An 8-color LED strip displays real-time battery charge and performance status, adding to the high-tech feel. The passenger side platform design is inspired by the AMG engine block, with a raised AMG emblem in relief to reinforce the car’s performance aura. The racing-style steering wheel, which shares design elements with the AMG ONE, features paddles for adjusting energy recovery levels and an AMG control unit for fine-tuning vehicle performance during driving.
For the seats, carbon-fiber bucket seats are used, providing lightweight construction while offering excellent support and wraparound comfort. The seat cushions are custom-designed using 3D printing technology to match the shape of the driver and passengers, ensuring optimal comfort. The material wrapping the seats is a significant innovation: LABFIBER biotechnological leather, made from recycled GT3 racing tires and bio-based materials. It provides a feel and look similar to genuine leather but is lighter, more durable, and fully recyclable—representing a fusion of luxury and sustainability in line with Mercedes’ commitment to eco-friendly development. The door interiors are extremely simplified, retaining only essential functions and integrated lighting, offering a minimalist and comfortable interior environment. Additionally, the absence of a roof exposes the carbon-fiber chassis, further emphasizing the car’s high performance and lightweight design.
Despite the exterior design controversies, the AMG GT XX’s groundbreaking technologies in its powertrain, aerodynamics, and interior innovation set a new benchmark for electric high-performance vehicles. It represents Mercedes’ bold exploration of extreme performance and cutting-edge technology in the electric era, raising expectations for the future of high-performance electric vehicles and demonstrating the brand’s determination and capability in the face of the electric revolution.
