Race Drivers Showcase Next-Gen Muscle Cars as Mercedes-AMG Sets 25 World Records, Proving EVs Can Match Supercar Performance
Mercedes-AMG has redefined electric performance benchmarks with its revolutionary axial flux motor, setting 25 new records at Italy’s Nardo high-speed test track. The breakthrough demonstrates how cutting-edge technology can combine Formula 1 precision with the endurance needed to transform electric mobility.
At the center of the achievement is the Concept AMG GT XX, a prototype equipped with AMG’s new axial flux electric motor and directly cooled high-performance battery. Pushed to its limits, the car achieved 5,479 km in 24 hours, a new world record for the longest distance driven by an EV in a single day. The feat eclipsed even the distance covered by race cars at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
AMG didn’t stop there. Over seven days and 13 hours, the GT XX clocked 40,075 km – equivalent to driving around the Earth at the equator – maintaining speeds of up to 300 km/h on Nardo’s famous high-speed bowl. To sustain such demanding performance, Mercedes enlisted professional racing drivers, including Formula 1 star George Russell.
“As an F1 driver, I’m used to pushing technology to its absolute limits – the Concept AMG GT XX really impressed me,” Russell said. “The axial flux motors respond as immediately and precisely as a Formula 1 drivetrain, but with endurance I’ve only experienced with combustion engines. This technology will revolutionise performance both on track and on the road.”
A leap in EV motor technology
The axial flux motor, developed with support from Mercedes’ Formula 1 engineering team, marks a major departure from the radial flux motors found in most electric vehicles. Axial flux motors are lighter, smaller, and more power-dense, freeing up space and reducing weight in vehicle design. The innovation stems from YASA, a British electric motor company acquired by Mercedes-Benz in 2021.
According to Markus Schäfer, Mercedes-Benz Chief Technology Officer, the goal is to “redefine the limits of what is technically possible in the age of electric drives.” By integrating advanced motor and battery cooling systems, AMG has created a platform capable of delivering supercar performance over sustained periods.
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Road to production in 2026
The testing program is not just a publicity stunt. Mercedes-AMG confirmed that its next-generation AMG.EA platform, launching in 2026, will incorporate axial flux motors. Their compact size will enable engineers to create more flexible vehicle architectures while maintaining AMG’s hallmark high performance.
This transition comes as AMG, historically known for its thunderous V8 and V12 engines, faces the challenge of maintaining brand identity in an electric future. Previous efforts to downsize engines for efficiency received mixed feedback, making it essential for AMG to prove that electric power can meet – and exceed – customer expectations.With the Concept GT XX’s record-breaking run, Mercedes-AMG has shown that EV technology can deliver uncompromising speed, precision, and durability. While few AMG owners are likely to drive their cars “around the world” in under eight days, the message is clear: the future of performance driving will be electric – and faster than ever.
