Just lately car news has been a little unforthcoming from the prestige Mercedes-Benz stable; now we know why. Check out this new design from the prestige German car maker: It’s a ‘concept’ AMG XX, a pioneering technology programme that offers an impressive insight into a forthcoming four-door series-production sports car from Mercedes-AMG. It is of course electric but it certainly looks the part, with a sleek aerodynamic body and a whole host of new technology and battery science under the skin.
With no less than three ‘axial flux’ motors and a high performance battery developed from scratch, this new programme presents a revolutionary drive concept that enables a whole new dimension of performance, they say. It includes an abundance of technical solutions earmarked for use in the subsequent series-production models based on this high performance ‘AMG Electric Architecture’, setting the standard for sports cars of the future.
The Aero Exterior
It’s quite a looker isn’t it? With the dynamic fastback, low-slung bonnet and sharply raked windscreen, the ‘Concept AMG GT XX’ is a statement of the brand’s signature sports car performance and the design direction of travel, yet there’s still elements of the fine design available in current Mercedes-AMG high-powered models available for export from MHH International, of which more below.
For example, the AMG specific front grille with ten vertical struts embodies a characteristic AMG feature. However, it is further developed with its more oval and concave form. The Mercedes star is integrated into the middle. The slender, rectangular auxiliary headlights are recessed into the outer edges of the grille. The vertically arranged main headlights set innovative accents with low beam and high beam stacked one on top of the other.
A characteristic feature drawn from motor-sport (yes, elements of this car are derived from Formula 1 technology) is the two-part air outlets in the bonnet, each with two fins. They dissipate warm air from the horizontal cooling modules in the front of the vehicle and thus optimise the cooling air path. The front splitter extends far around the front of the car with an integrated air-curtain function reaching up to the front wheel arches. The bonnet encapsulates the front as far as the wheel arches and underlines the distinctive sports car genes with two power domes.
The side view is defined by the low-slung front end, from which the bumpers (fenders) flare organically to frame the front aerodynamic wheels. The long, low cabin with double-bubble roof and three windows on each side rests on the broad rear shoulders. The exterior mirrors are elevated on the front doors, in typical sports car fashion. The sill claddings have aerodynamic contours that extend into the rear wheel arches. Aerodynamic fine-tuning is also evident in the recessed door handles. This is one slippery car.
From a bird's eye perspective, the streamlined cabin tapers rearward, allowing for particularly wide shoulders. The rear wheel arches also flow organically from the flanks. Another design element at the rear is the wide diffuser in exposed carbon, which sweeps deeply down at either side. Designed to ensure rear-end stability at high speeds, the vehicle body rests visually on a strong floor structure that extends from the front splitter along the sill blades to the rear diffuser. At the back, its sharply angled aerodynamic edge and six circular, deep red tail-lights, forms a unique vehicle identity. The active air brake is seamlessly integrated into the rear end.
The Premium Interior
The interior of the Concept AMG GT XX is reduced to the essentials, just like a racing car, while still offering a luxurious look and feel. The interior as featured here is immersed almost completely in black. Therefore, the silver and orange accents come clearly to the fore and emphasise the visually minimalist focus on technical elements.
Taking centre stage are the high-quality materials with different textures that feel as good as they look. The purist cockpit, with two integrated screens, is fully focused on driving. The vehicle and all its instruments are controlled via two large LCD displays: the 10.25 inch instrument cluster and the 14 inch multimedia touchscreen which accommodates the well-known MBUK (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment and user technology. The displays are ergonomically angled towards the driver and have a seamless-glass look.
The steering wheel is similar to the one in the legendary ‘AMG ONE’, with its almost rectangular shape and two horizontal struts on either side, again, inspired by motor racing. The steering wheel paddles serve to control energy recuperation. A display on the steering column uses different colour codes via eight LEDs to signal the state of charge (blue), recuperation and current performance (red). In addition, there are two round AMG steering wheel buttons that control other functions and display the options with coloured icons.
There is likewise no cladding on the instrument panel. It references the look of a classic sports engine block with the AMG logo machined into it. At the same time, the structural cross member forms the upper part of the cockpit. The instrument panel is fully integrated and also contains the ducting for fresh air and cabling. The vertical H-struts positioned centrally beneath it combine the cockpit substructure and centre console mount into one module. Consistent implementation of the extrusion structure represents an overarching design theme.
Sculpturally minimalist door claddings are penetrated by an armrest featuring the extrusion structure. The subtly backlit racing perforations in the door panels provide a second-read effect that breaks up the black. To save weight, the individually formed carbon-fibre bucket seats in the rear, including the cushions, are completely integrated into the car’s rear bulkhead. The roof has no headliner, which saves weight and exposes the carbon-fibre structure. The door panels with lightweight pipes and orange closing loops complete the innovative and sporty overall look.
The Technology
This being a concept car it is bristling with high-tech innovation as you might expect and this is largely what will carry over into production. There’s a lot of technical jargon with this car but what most drivers will be interested in is the power and the safety. Centre stage then is the completely new battery cell design, developed for exceptionally high performance. It uses cylindrical cells that are remarkably tall and slim. This format delivers many benefits for cell cooling: The narrow diameter means the distance from the cell core to the casing is particularly small. This enables rapid dissipation of heat generated under load and ensures each individual cell is kept within the optimum temperature window.
Also new is the laser-welded aluminium cell housing. It is lighter than the steel containers usually used and has considerably better electrical and heat conductivity. This offers benefits in the targeted thermal control of the cells with faster cooling or heating on demand. The individual cells are packaged into laser-welded plastic modules, whereby performance thinking is also to the fore. Direct cell cooling is integrated into the plastic modules to ensure optimum heat dissipation. A high- tech coolant based on an electrically non-conductive oil flows around each individual cell to maintain the optimum temperature. The coolant flows through coolant channels in the modules, which are optimised for equal cooling of all the cells. A special piping system ensures even distribution of the cooling oil. There are apparently more than 3,000 cells.
The lithium-ion energy storage unit has a high voltage of more than 800 volts, which also contributes to overall performance. The benefits of the high voltage are lower weight due to the lighter cabling, higher continuous power output and shorter battery charging times. Charge losses via the charging cable are also considerably less. Peak output is around 1000kW and top speed around 200MPH (expect this to be governed in production models). Best of all, Mercedes say that this car can charge for 240 miles (400KM) of range in just five minutes. Now won’t that be something.
MHH International & Mercedes-Benz / Mercedes-AMG
So this AMG GT XX is the shape of things to come in the not too distant Mercedes-Benz future. For now though MHH International offer a huge range of new and used MB cars and AMG performance cars for export (see here) from the UK to destinations like New Zealand and Kenya. There’s a full list of countries served on our Home Page. Find out too about VAT-free options and our after-sales service. We are a trusted exporter as can be seen on our testimonials page, found here. Get in touch for more information.
