Mercedes Amg GT XX, the secrets of the record-breaking concept

The pride evident in the eyes, voices, and gestures of Mercedes engineers as they explain the features, details, curiosities, and innovations of the AMG GT XX is a clear demonstration of how much passion, hard work, and dedication the German manufacturer has put into this project. For those unaware, Mercedes has shattered 25 world records with two 100% electric concepts. And, pushing the boundaries of modern technology, the company has shown the world what can be achieved with a battery-powered vehicle. Hopefully, this technology will be transferred to production vehicles one day, and this moving data laboratory has the potential to be seen as a huge, reliable database. But how did Mercedes, with two 100% electric vehicles, manage to travel all those kilometers at that speed, beating any other car (internal combustion, hybrid, or electric) that has ever attempted these endurance records?

Let's take a step back and put it into context. Mercedes developed a four-door car focused entirely on aerodynamics (we'll see how shortly) capable of delivering a maximum power output of 1,360 hp from three axial-flow engines, two at the rear and one at the front. That's enough to reach a top speed of 360 km/h , but not the actual cruising speed during the record attempt. According to the German manufacturer's estimates before attempting the records, 300 km/h seemed to be the best compromise between track speed, energy consumption, and time spent at the ultra-rapid charging station . Consider that the cars charged, time after time for over seven days, at an average power of 850 kW , with peaks of approximately 930 kW. Between one stint and the next (an average of five laps of the 12.6 km Nardò loop), the 17 test drivers did not always take turns at the wheel. And the mechanics didn't always fit a new set of Michelin tires , using a total of 23 on each car in 7 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes, and 7 seconds , to be precise. Interestingly, the windshield needed 300 cleanings, compared to zero for the bodywork, which remained untouched even after the records, a testament to the cars' life.

As mentioned, aerodynamics are perhaps the most important aspect in attempting such a series of records. With a Cx of 0.19 , the Mercedes AMG GT XX adopts particular solutions to maximize performance, both in terms of pure power and energy consumption. The most curious aspect is the absence of a rear wing, or rather: it is a retractable one, but only in case of emergency/danger. The rest is taken care of by the underbody of the car, capable of generating the Venturi effect . Another highly visible element is the grille in the front bumper area, whose job is to bring air to the front engine and the battery (by the way: Mercedes has not revealed its capacity). Less in the spotlight, however, is the particular design of the wheels , which differs between the front and rear axles, but with the same goal: to make the car as aerodynamic as possible. And then mirrors, ride height, materials used for the interior such as the 3D-printed carbon fiber seat shell and customizable fabric in four leatherette pads that can be attached to the seat itself with Velcro after body scans of the drivers and much more: everything is geared towards maximum performance.

Since optimized aerodynamic flows lead to improved energy efficiency, the system called Plasma Actuator is unique, also with an eye on future production models: by generating an electromagnetic field, it can decide where to direct the airflow, thus eliminating unwanted turbulence. The optimal speed for achieving the best results, from this point of view, is between 100 and 200 km/h . This will allow the design and aerodynamics departments to finally work closely together without having to make compromises, as has happened up to now on practically every production car on the planet.

Before climbing aboard the AMG GT XX, Mercedes showed the press a special augmented reality helmet capable of providing detailed information on the racing line, projected speed on the asphalt, how to optimize driving with energy regeneration points, and other key information in "digital format." Other features of the car include a digital panel located between the rear headlights that can display text and information, air vents on the hood, an extended rear diffuser, a height-adjustable active suspension system, ambient lighting with specific information (during the record attempt) depending on the color, and steering wheel buttons with specific instructions.

In addition to participating in a series of theoretical workshops that helped explain the technical secrets of the AMG GT XX, Mercedes put the icing on the cake with the co-driving experience on the track. Suit, helmet, Hans, fastening of the five-point seatbelt, and in no time at all we're sprinting out of the dedicated stop zone. Acceleration isn't easy, given the thrust of the three electric motors (0-100 km/h figures not yet released). But once we reach cruising speed (250 km/h instead of 300 as during the record), it feels more like 110 km/h on a four-lane highway than along the 12.6 km Nardò ring. Stability and low aerodynamic drag are the AMG GT XX's strong points : before returning to the pit area, the driver simulates an entry just like the one performed during the record attempts. About 1 km before the start, he releases the accelerator, sets the regenerative braking to minimum (i.e., zero), and lets the car coast, coasting. "This is the best technique we've studied and implemented for records," the driver explains. He doesn't even have time to finish his sentence before a powerful deceleration takes us by surprise: regenerative braking at maximum, no pressure on the brake pedal, and "we recover as much energy as possible before coming to a complete stop, using the brakes only at the last moment and if necessary." Proof, if proof were needed, that to achieve performance at this level, you need to be obsessive and calculating.