Mercedes-AMG GT XX sets world EV records with 40,000km run

Mercedes-AMG has rewritten the electric vehicle record books with its GT XX concept, completing 40,000km in less than eight days.

Two bright orange hypersaloons lapped the high-speed Nardo circuit in southern Italy 3177 times – the equivalent of circumnavigating the globe. The feat was achieved in seven days, 13 hours, 24 minutes and seven seconds.

Mercedes-AMG chief executive Michael Schiebe says the attempt was inspired by Jules Verne.
“Except we decided to shorten it to eight,” he said.

The effort set 26 world records, including a new 24-hour electric distance record of 5446km – 38 per cent further than the Xpeng P7 managed earlier this month. The GT XX also established fresh benchmarks for 48, 72, 96, 120, 144 and 168 hours, along with milestones at 2000, 5000, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000 and 25,000 miles.

The challenge was not without extremes. Ambient temperatures soared above 35C during the day and torrential rain hit at times. Two GT XX cars ran in tandem with separate driver and engineering crews.
“We had team blue and team green. The two pushed each other. It got so intense early on that we had to tell them to slow down,” Schiebe said.

The Nardo track, a 12.48km circular proving ground in Italy’s south, provided the stage. Once owned by Fiat, it is now run by Porsche as a global test centre.

Mercedes has experience here. In 2024, it set an electric 24-hour distance record of 3696km with the third-generation CLA saloon.

What it means for production cars

The GT XX is built on Mercedes-AMG’s new AMG.EA electric architecture and previews the next GT 4-Door Coupé, due before the end of next year.

Its drivetrain uses three motors – two axial flux units at the rear and a smaller booster motor up front – delivering 1000kW in total. Power comes from an oil-immersed cylindrical-cell battery pack capable of charging at up to 900kW, allowing 400km of range to be added in less than five minutes.

During the run, the cars averaged just under 300km/h excluding charging stops, with 17 drivers – including Formula One’s George Russell – rotating in eight-hour stints. More than 130 engineers and logistics staff supported the attempt, which required 46 tyre changes.

Schiebe says the average speed was calculated to maximise efficiency.
“It’s the sweet spot, the point we calculated we could achieve the best possible trade-off between outright speed and aerodynamic drag,” he said.

The run was completed without using the car’s rear spoiler, thanks to a venturi underbody that reduces drag. With a Cd of 0.19, the GT XX also features active wheels with five panels that stay closed on track to improve aerodynamics, opening only while charging to release heat.

Each charging stop included a one-mile cooldown coast with no power delivery, part of the team’s strict efficiency routine.

Industry observers say the effort was about more than records. Mercedes-AMG’s attempt has created a new playbook for extreme EV performance – and set the benchmark others must now chase.