The AMG GT XX electric car set 25 records on Michelin tires
Mercedes-AMG, with the support of Michelin, has set a new record at the "Nardo" circuit in Italy, where the electric liftback Concept AMG GT XX covered 40,075 km, equivalent to the circumference of the Earth, in less than eight days at an average speed of 300 km/h. In the process, 24 "intermediate" records were also set, and, for example, 5,479 km were covered in 24 hours, which is 38% more than the previous maximum value for electric vehicles.
New Michelin Pilot Sport 5 energy tires were installed on the car, the development of which took five years for the specialists of the company's research department. The developers faced a challenging task of preparing tires that could withstand extreme loads, similar to those encountered in Nardo, while having a high level of grip and energy efficiency. The latest dynamic simulation technologies, which allow predicting the interaction of tires with the car, were used in the creation of the tires, and unique production processes were also applied.
One of the features of Pilot Sport 5 energy is that the tread has a multi-component structure, and the outer zones are made of a new-generation Energy Passive Compound rubber mixture, which reduces energy consumption, while the central section is made of Adaptive Grip Compound, which enhances grip on dry and wet surfaces. According to Michelin, the tires not only increase the distance between recharges but also maintain their driving qualities throughout their entire life cycle.
"We congratulate Mercedes-AMG on this landmark record, to which Michelin is proud to have contributed," said Serge Lafon, President of the Automotive Tires Division for the Original Equipment sector at Michelin. "The 'around-the-world' journey of the Concept AMG GT XX, which it was able to complete in less than eight days, is a striking example of our capabilities in the field of innovation, and our tires provided both the necessary grip and high energy efficiency from the first to the last mile. This success takes on special significance on the eve of the release of Michelin Pilot Sport 5 energy tires to the market. The new tires will be made using field-tested technologies, and, for example, will feature a unique dual-component tread structure, and the new record demonstrates our commitment to using similar projects to accelerate the development of our innovations for increasingly eco-friendly mobility."
Throughout the record-breaking ride on the "Nardo" circuit (12.6 km in circumference, with a slope angle of up to 22.5 degrees), Michelin specialists were present, including two teams for tire mounting, who worked day and night.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 energy tires are expected to go on sale in 2026.