Mercedes-AMG has presented the CONCEPT AMG GT XX, a technology platform featuring axial flux motors and a newly developed high-voltage battery. Delivering over 1,000 kW of system output, the concept previews a fully electric four-door performance model scheduled for series production in 2026, based on the AMG.EA platform.
“The CONCEPT AMG GT XX is the next milestone in the history of AMG and forges a whole new dimension of performance,” said Michael Schiebe, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH and Head of Business Units Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Mercedes-Maybach.
“We’re bringing groundbreaking technology that redefines high performance. And the best thing is that this car is a genuine AMG through and through. The heart of an AMG was always the motor, and that will remain so with our in-house electric architecture.”
Axial flux
Built on the dedicated AMG Electric Architecture, the study features three axial flux motors and an 800-volt battery system. Two of the motors are mounted at the rear and integrated into a single High Performance Electric Drive Unit (HP.EDU), along with a planetary gearset and oil-cooled inverters.
A third motor is located at the front, serving as a boost drive. It can be decoupled during coasting or low-load phases via a Disconnect Unit (DCU) to enhance system efficiency and reduce drag losses.
The motors are based on axial flux technology developed by Yasa, the British e-motor specialist acquired by Mercedes-Benz AG. For the GT XX concept, the motors were further refined through close cooperation between YASA and the AMG development team in Affalterbach. The result is “a compact, high-efficiency drive unit offering high continuous output and torque density in a minimal package”.
“Compared with conventional electric motors, the innovative drive delivers a considerably higher sustained power output as well as higher torque,” AMG states. The motors are set to enter series production in 2026, and Yasa just recently opened its first factory in the UK.
An axial flux motor generates torque via a magnetic field that flows parallel to the axis of rotation, using disc-shaped rotors and a central stator. Compared to radial flux designs, it offers significantly higher power and torque density, improved thermal efficiency, and a more compact form factor, making it ideal for high-performance EV applications. The slim design also facilitates new drivetrain configurations and supports a low center of gravity.
AMG emphasizes that the rear-mounted HP.EDU integrates thermal management features including oil cooling for motors and gearboxes, water cooling for the inverters, and a compact hydraulic module.
Silicon carbide semiconductors are utilized in inverters to facilitate high-voltage, high-frequency switching with minimal losses, which is essential for maintaining performance under sustained load conditions.
AMG speaks of a top speed of over 360 kph. The drive control strategy prioritises a balance of power delivery and thermal regulation to ensure consistent performance.
Formula 1-inspired battery with high charging performance
The CONCEPT AMG GT XX also debuts a newly developed structure, utilizing a material mix of aluminum, steel, and fiber composites to achieve high rigidity with minimal weight.
The High Performance Electric Battery (HP.EB) is derived from Formula 1 and AMG ONE technologies. It utilizes over 3,000 cylindrical full-tab NCMA cells featuring silicon-based anodes, achieving an energy density of up to 300 Wh/kg at the cell level.
According to AMG, the full-tab design significantly reduces internal resistance, enabling high charge and discharge rates, as well as stable output under repeated high-load operation. The laser-welded aluminium cell housings improve heat transfer and reduce mass, while each cell is directly cooled using a dielectric oil-based fluid.
“The coolant flows through coolant channels in the modules, which are optimized for equal cooling of all the cells. A special piping system ensures even distribution of the cooling oil,” AMG notes.
Installed centrally in the skateboard chassis, the battery contributes to structural integrity, crash safety, and optimized weight distribution. The casing also houses the Battery Management System (BMS), high voltage cabling, and other electronics, with the enclosure acting as a structural component.
Charging performance is a key focus: the battery supports over 850 kW of charging power, allowing for a theoretical range recovery of up to 400 km (WLTP) in approximately five minutes. These figures are currently provisional, with no details about battery capacity and range.
Mercedes-Benz is also collaborating with Alpitronic on a prototype of a compatible high-power charging station. It plans to integrate this capability into its proprietary Mercedes-Benz Charging Network for future models.
“The best minds in our global R&D network have contributed their extensive expertise, from Mercedes‑Benz in Sindelfingen and Untertürkheim to Mercedes‑AMG in Affalterbach and Yasa in the UK to our Formula 1 drivetrain experts at Mercedes‑AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement.
“Together, they have developed the CONCEPT AMG GT XX and are providing an insight into pioneering drivetrain technology and the future of performance. The technology program pushes the boundaries even further and ventures into new ground. This concept, with its three axial flux motors, lifts performance and endurance to a completely new level.”
Functional aerodynamic design
The design of the CONCEPT AMG GT XX draws heavily from motorsport. AMG describes the silhouette as a fastback with racing DNA, citing the concave AMG grille, pronounced hood domes, and broad rear haunches. The aerodynamic package delivers a benchmark drag coefficient of 0.198.
“At 300 kph, around 83% of energy is used to overcome aerodynamic drag,” AMG explains, underscoring the importance of efficiency at high speeds. Key aero elements include a Venturi-effect underbody, an active Airpanel cooling system, and an active airbrake, all of which contribute to high-speed stability.
The concept also debuts AMG’s active ‘Aero Wheel’ system. The 21-inch forged aluminium rims house movable aero blades, each actuated autonomously by a mini-generator and controlled via Bluetooth, a claimed world first. The blades adjust in real-time to balance brake cooling and aerodynamic efficiency.
Inside, the cabin showcases AMG’s vision for electric performance luxury. High-voltage orange accents trace the exposed structural elements, while innovative materials take center stage. The seats feature Biotech Leather, called Labfiber, made from recycled GT3 tyres and bio-based polymers.
The latest generation of MBUX connectivity is based on the MB.OS operating system, and integrates performance telemetry with a dedicated AMG user interface. At the rear, a ‘Fluid Light Panel’ with 700 LEDs enables external communication through dynamic light animations.
“With the CONCEPT AMG GT XX, we have succeeded in translating our design vision for AMG into the future. Sports cars have always been the icons of our brand; they are emotional and extraordinary to create. They represent unique moments in time,” concludes Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer, Mercedes-Benz Group AG. “The brand-new CONCEPT AMG GT XX embodies the hot part of our design philosophy of sensual purity.”
