Mercedes’ AMG brand has unveiled a concept car that is a VIN-ready rocket ship of an EV. Three axial-flux motors combine for 1,340 horsepower (985.5 kW) for a top speed of 220 mph (354 km/h).
The new axial-flux motors are designed to be smaller, lighter, and provide more efficient power output when compared to conventional engines. Most electric vehicles employ a radial flux design, in which a tubular stator spins inside a hollow, tubular housing, perpendicular to the motor shaft. AMG’s axial flux motors instead have a disc-shaped stator that spins parallel to the shaft. This creates a motor that is 67% lighter and smaller than a conventional design, yet achieves a similar output. That means three times the power density and double the torque density.
Powering those axial flux motors is a new battery design using oil-cooled, tall, cylindrical cells of NCMA chemistry. The nickel cobalt manganese aluminium oxide cathode for the lithium-ion battery adds aluminium to the standard nickel cobalt manganese cathode found in many advanced battery designs. This increases capacity, energy density, and power output for the cells. All while reducing cobalt content and improving structural stability.
The 800+ volt battery pack in the Concept GT XX contains over 3,000 of these NCMA cells, enabling it to achieve 850-kW fast charging capability. Mercedes did not specify the total size of the pack, but did say the energy density is 300 Wh/kg.
The motors the pack powers are packaged interestingly. They’re housed within an electric drive unit (EDU) with a planetary transmission and silicon carbide inverter. The rear unit houses two motors and outputs 860 horsepower (632.5 kW), while the front unit features one motor, a spur-gear transmission, and the remainder of the output.
Aerodynamics are also a large part of the Concept GT XX’s design. Its drag coefficient is a mere 0.198, thanks to body aero design and active-aero wheels. The blades on the wheels are “cloaking,” meaning they move to open or close the wheel’s interior for brake cooling or aerodynamics as needed.
The overall body shape is short, fast, and powerfully nostalgic, with the grille and hood portion resembling a classic 300 SLR.
A V8 soundtrack, headlight-embedded speakers, a yoke-style steering wheel, carbon-fibre accents and seating, and illuminated orange accents all create the mood for the Concept GT XX. The video-game-like interior and programmable centre tail light (between standard tail lamps) complete the low-slung design of the concept.
Mercedes has made it clear that this concept is road-ready and will see production. I’d expect most of the next-level and video-gamey parts of it to disappear in the concept-to-production process. But the core of it, especially the technology of the drivetrain and aerodynamics, is real-world ready. Assuming they can pass rigorous durability testing.
Source: Mercedes-AMG
