In an extraordinary display of electric vehicle prowess, Mercedes-Benz recently showcased its cutting-edge GT XX concept, establishing a new benchmark for automotive endurance. This groundbreaking vehicle embarked on an ambitious journey at the famed Nardo high-speed test track in Southern Italy, successfully traversing a distance equivalent to the Earth's circumference in just over seven days. The achievement not only highlights the advanced engineering of the GT XX but also significantly elevates expectations for future electric mobility, challenging established perceptions of EV range and performance.
The GT XX, a powerful four-door EV concept unveiled in June, boasts an impressive 1,360 horsepower, powered by dual axial flux motors and a 114kWh battery. Its design allows for an astounding top speed of 223 mph (359 km/h) and a continuous charging capability of 850kW, enabling it to gain approximately 250 miles (400km) of WLTP range in mere minutes. This formidable combination of speed and rapid energy replenishment proved crucial during its record-setting endeavor, which involved continuous operation day and night. The vehicle eclipsed the prior 24-hour EV distance record, logging an impressive 3,405 miles (5,479km), a significant leap beyond the previous 2,461-mile (3,961km) record. Furthermore, in a tribute to literary exploration, the GT XX completed the 24,901-mile (40,075km) global circumnavigation equivalent within a week and a half, underscoring the revolutionary potential of its powertrain and charging infrastructure.
The success of the GT XX's endurance run underscores a pivotal shift in electric vehicle capabilities, demonstrating that perceived limitations are rapidly diminishing. The robust performance of the GT XX, which included two vehicles each completing nearly identical distances, attests to the durability and efficiency achievable with current EV technology. This remarkable feat, executed on a closed track with dedicated support, provides invaluable insights into optimizing electric vehicle performance for sustained high-speed operations. It serves as a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of innovation in the automotive sector, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with electric power.
The remarkable achievements of the Mercedes GT XX signify a new era of possibilities for electric vehicles, showcasing that the future of mobility is not only sustainable but also exhilaratingly dynamic. This success story encourages a broader embrace of electric technologies, inspiring continued research and development to build even more efficient and capable vehicles. By consistently pushing the limits of innovation, we can envision a future where advanced, high-performance electric vehicles become the norm, contributing to a cleaner environment and a more sustainable planet for generations to come.
The automotive world is buzzing with the impressive real-world performance of the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss, an electric pickup designed for rugged terrain. While its initial EPA estimated range of 478 miles, identical to the more road-focused LT trim, raised some eyebrows given its two-inch suspension lift and all-terrain tires, a recent 70 mph highway range test provided a compelling answer. This comprehensive evaluation, conducted over seven hours, aimed to assess the vehicle's endurance under conditions more demanding than the standard EPA cycle, which blends city and highway driving.
Remarkably, the Silverado EV Trail Boss, equipped with a substantial 205-kilowatt-hour battery, showcased an outstanding ability to maintain high speeds over extended periods. Even with climate control active and tires at optimal pressure, the vehicle initially projected a range of 463 miles. Throughout the test, the truck demonstrated consistent efficiency, achieving approximately 2.1 miles per kilowatt-hour, a figure that remained robust even as the battery depleted. A particularly striking finding was the vehicle's resilience: even after indicating 0% battery life, the Silverado EV Trail Boss continued to travel at 70 mph for an additional 50 miles, offering a significant safety margin for drivers in critical situations, despite a reduced power output and deactivated cruise control. This test concluded after 454 miles, just shy of its EPA rating, yet it's an extraordinary feat for a large electric truck with off-road modifications.
This performance underscores the remarkable engineering behind the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss, proving that an electric vehicle can combine formidable off-road capabilities with impressive long-distance range. The ability to push beyond the indicated zero-charge threshold provides a new level of confidence for electric truck owners, mitigating range anxiety and expanding the possibilities for adventure and utility. This achievement not only sets a new benchmark for electric pickups but also reinforces the accelerating advancements in electric vehicle technology, promising a future where sustainability and robust performance go hand in hand.
The Mercedes-AMG GT XX concept vehicle has significantly redefined the benchmarks for electric vehicle endurance and long-distance travel, setting an astonishing 25 new records during a rigorous testing campaign. This groundbreaking achievement, which included covering over 24,901 miles in less than eight days, showcases the immense capabilities of advanced EV technology. The vehicle's success is a testament to its powerful 850 kW charging infrastructure and innovative battery design, signaling a new era for electric performance cars.
The intensive eight-day trial took place at Italy’s Nardo ring, a renowned high-speed test facility. During this period, the sleek four-door electric sedan, equipped with Bluetooth-controlled aerodynamic elements, completed an astounding 3,405 miles in a single 24-hour period. This feat significantly surpassed the previous 24-hour distance record by nearly 1,000 miles, demonstrating a remarkable leap forward in EV range and efficiency. The vehicle maintained a consistent speed of 186 miles per hour, pausing only for rapid recharges, a critical factor enabled by its cutting-edge 850 kilowatts charging capacity.
A dedicated team of 17 drivers, including the accomplished F1 driver George Russell, participated in the demanding test, working in two-hour shifts around the clock. Their collective effort pushed the Mercedes-AMG GT XX to traverse a distance equivalent to the Earth's circumference, completing 24,901 miles in just 7 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes, and 7 seconds. Remarkably, two GT XX EVs completed the challenge with only a two-lap difference, underscoring the consistency and reliability of the technology. Beyond the 24-hour record, the vehicle established new longest distance records for durations spanning 12, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 hours.
Underpinning this extraordinary performance are the GT XX's three oil-cooled Yasa axial flux electric motors, collectively generating over 1,360 horsepower. These motors, with two at the rear and one at the front, are integrated into high-performance electric drive units. The rear units feature compact gearboxes and inverters housed together, while the front electric drive serves as a booster, engaging only when additional power is required, thus maintaining a predominantly rear-wheel-drive configuration. The vehicle's battery system is equally impressive, utilizing newly developed cylindrical nickel cobalt manganese aluminum (NCMA) cells with an energy density of 300 watt-hours per kilogram. With over 3,000 cells in the pack, each individually temperature-regulated by a non-conductive oil cooling system, and a rated voltage exceeding 800V, the GT XX can handle over 850 kW from potent DC fast chargers. This allows for approximately 248 miles of range from just five minutes of charging, a capability that substantially mitigates concerns about range and charging anxiety for electric vehicle users.
This pioneering concept car provides a clear glimpse into the future of Mercedes-AMG's upcoming four-door production EV. The performance showcased by the GT XX sets a high bar for the series production model, indicating that similar levels of efficiency and speed will eventually be available to consumers. Furthermore, the advanced technologies and innovations demonstrated in the GT XX are expected to trickle down to more accessible Mercedes-Benz models over time, democratizing high-performance electric capabilities and reinforcing the brand's commitment to electric mobility.