2 weeks ago
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Mercedes-Benz has lots of new trophies on its shelf, including the most kilometres travelled in 24 hours, and driving the equivalent of the circumference of the Earth in less than eight days.
The longest distance travelled by an electric car in 24 hours now belongs to Mercedes-Benz at 5479km, in a concept car not available to the public.
The German car giant outperformed the previous 24-hour drive title holder by 1518km, rapidly growing Chinese brand XPeng, which covered 3961km just earlier this month.
The Concept AMG GT XX – which previews the new AMG GT 4-Door Coupe production car due next year with electric power –broke a total of 25 long-distance records at the Nardò test track, in southern Italy, this past week.
Among the new titles is driving 40,075 km – equivalent to the circumference of Earth's equator – in seven days, 13 hours, 24 minutes, and seven seconds at a constant speed of 300km/h to simulate strain on the motor and battery, stopping only to recharge.
It saw the car drive “around the world in eight days” – a nod to Jules Verne's 1872 novel Around the World in 80 Days.
Engineers specifically chose 300km/h after computer simulations showed it was the optimum balance of speed and driving range to reduce charging times, the eight-day consecutive drive took 3177 laps of the 12.68km track.
By the end of the third day, the car had driven the length of the Great Wall of China, at 21,196km.
The crew consisted of over 100 people, including Mercedes F1 driver George Russell, who was one of 17 drivers.
The Concept AMG GT XX uses three axial flux electric motors, quoting a peak combined power of 1000kW, and claims to be able to hit a top speed of 360km/h.
The car can accept energy at up to 850kW DC, making it one of the world's quickest-charging electric cars.
It is far beyond the 350kW that most public fast-charging stations in Australia are limited to.
Ilana is a Melbourne-based journalist who was previously a copywriter in the Big Apple. Having moved to Melbourne for her Master of Journalism, she has written articles about food, farm machinery, fashion, and now the fast and furious. Her dream car has been a Mini Cooper since the fifth grade, eyeing its style and petite size.
