Mercedes-AMG GT XX Blasts Fake V8 Sounds From Its Headlights

Mercedes AMG has revealed an unusual piece of tech on its new four-door EV concept.
Concept GT XX has speakers pumping synthesised engine sounds from the headlights.
The fake combustion soundtrack also works to alert pedestrians to the XX’s presence.

When the first pictures of Mercedes-AMG’s new Concept AMG GT XX landed yesterday, the headlights seemed the least interesting thing about it when there was so much else to grab our attention. But those rather ordinary-looking headlights are hiding one of the XX’s most interesting features, and it’s got nothing to do with LEDs and light beams.

Because in the rush to check out the eye-catching rear lights, the digital display board mounted between them, the glass-free rear end and the aero wheel covers that can move in and out, it was easy to miss a mention of an unusual addition to the front light units designed not to help the concept see, but be seen – or heard.

Each of those lights has a loudspeaker fitted to its side surface to project fake engine sounds. The small speakers use the body of the headlight units as a traditional speaker cavity to amplify the bass frequencies, something essential if, like AMG, you want to replicate the growl of a classic V8.

Those riding in the car, which previews next year’s production AMG GT, a rival to the Porsche Taycan, will also hear sounds, though they’ll be delivered through the cabin speakers. The ones at the front are designed to be heard by people outside the XX, which is essentially Mercedes admitting that EVs’ naturally silent personalities are too dull.

Mercedes-AMG GT XX Blasts Fake V8 Sounds From Its Headlights — Mercedes AMG

But the noises also serve another purpose besides letting the driver show off. EVs are required by law to make some external noise to warn pedestrians of their presence, and giving the XX a moody growl seems like a more appropriate way of doing that in a 1,341 hp (1,360 PS / 1,000 kW) EV than some random bings and bongs.

AMG says the concept’s three Yasa motors deliver a 224 mph (460 kmh) top speed, and the 114 kWh battery could theoretically charge at more than 850 kW, which would add 249 miles (400 km) of range in just 5 minutes. Although there are no public chargers that fast in Europe or America, the Chinese have developed some, and Mercedes is confident they’ll become the norm in the future.