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Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao is no stranger to high-profile stages — from crowded boxing arenas to political campaigns. But now, he’s stepping into something different. The legend has officially joined Netflix’s latest reality competition, Physical: Asia — the Asia-wide evolution of Physical: 100 — as the main figure for Team Philippines.
This isn’t a boxing match. It’s a test of endurance, strength, strategy, and teamwork. Instead of punching gloves, Pacquiao will lead a squad of six Filipino athletes, competing against teams from eight countries: Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Türkiye, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines.
Switching from The Ring to a reality competition series might seem like a stretch at first glance. But in many ways, it’s a natural extension of who Pacquiao is: someone always chasing challenges, always pushing boundaries.
He’s already touched multiple fields — athlete, senator, brand icon — and this brings a new dimension. His inclusion instantly boosts Physical: Asia’s credibility and star power, especially now, as crossover between sports, media, and entertainment becomes more common. Fans will be watching not only to see if he can maintain his physical prowess but also to see how he handles the pressure of being more than just a competitor — he’s a symbol of national pride.
And make no mistake: this show is ambitious. Previous seasons of Physical: 100 focused on individual endurance and strength. The Asia edition shifts the focus to a team-based national competition where one mistake by any team member can have a ripple effect and jeopardize the entire team.
Who’s on Team Philippines?
When you hear Manny Pacquiao’s name, it’s easy to assume the spotlight will only follow him. But Netflix made sure Team Philippines isn’t just about one legend — it’s a carefully selected roster of athletes with different strengths. The show is a team competition, after all, and raw star power isn’t enough to get through the challenge. You need balance, diversity, and athletes who can compensate for each other’s weaknesses. That’s where the rest of the squad comes in.
Mark “Mugen” Striegl — Fil-Am sambo athlete
Ray Jefferson Querubin — Strongman
Justin Coveney — National rugby player
Robyn Lauren Brown — Track & field hurdler
Lara Liwanag — CrossFit standout
It’s a mixture that covers speed, strength, endurance, and tactical awareness. Striegl brings combat sports grit, Querubin provides brute power, Coveney contributes teamwork and collision discipline from rugby, Brown offers explosive speed and agility, and Liwanag balances the group with exceptional conditioning and mental toughness.
What makes this lineup so compelling is how closely it reflects Pacquiao’s own story. He’s always been about more than just his fists — his success came from resilience, adaptability, and drawing strength from those around him. Team Philippines captures that same spirit. With Pacquiao’s leadership added to this diverse group of athletes, they’re stepping into Physical: Asia as more than just underdogs. They appear like a squad built to surprise, and that’s what could make them dangerous.
Manny Pacquiao Joins Netflix’s Physical: Asia | Image: Getty Images
Why Pacquiao’s Netflix Move Matters
As Physical: Asia prepares for its release later in 2025, a few storylines are already worth watching. Will Pacquiao dive into the challenges himself or step back as more of a captain? How will Team Philippines handle the pressure when one member starts to falter — can they adapt, recover, and push through? And with heavyweight names like UFC veteran Robert Whittaker and Muay Thai champ Superbon leading rival squads, the competition is bound to get fierce.
But beyond the spectacle of the matches, Pacquiao’s role carries a bigger message. At 46, he doesn’t need to prove his athletic skill — his eight-division world titles already cement that legacy. What this move truly demonstrates is his ability to reinvent himself and take on new realms, both literally and figuratively. By stepping into Netflix’s spotlight, Pacquiao isn’t just competing; he’s reminding us that icons don’t retire, they evolve.
For Netflix, his presence instantly elevates ‘Physical: Asia’ into more than just another reality show. It becomes a cultural moment — a place where national pride, athletic grit, and entertainment collide. And for Pacquiao, it’s another round in a career defined not by limits, but by the refusal to stand still.
Elias Albay is the Founder and Director of Many Men Magazine, a Toronto-based digital publication dedicated to promoting modern masculinity through style, culture, and self-improvement. What started as a personal turning point became a purposeful platform. — born from Elias’ desire to create something meaningful after completing his studies and finding no career path that truly matched his ambitions. With a background in Civil Engineering from York University and experience in Commercial Flight Operations at CAE, he applied skills, and resilience from both fields to forge a new path.
Our team of editors and experts thoughtfully chooses each product. If you decide to buy through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Want to know how we test products? Click here for more details.
Three axial-flux electric motors produce over 1,000 kW (>1,360 hp), delivering hypercar-level performance in the GT XX.
Built on AMG’s new AMG.EA 800-volt platform, capable of adding approximately 400 km of WLTP-estimated range in about five minutes.
Ultra-aerodynamic design with an impressive 0.198 Cd, featuring active aero, a low-profile stance, and the bold 10-slat AMG-specific grille.
Innovative 21-inch active Aero Wheels employ self-powered actuators and movable aero blades to optimise cooling and efficiency.
The concept previews AMG’s first high-performance EV model and positions the brand as a rival to cars like the Porsche Taycan and Xiaomi SU7.
Electric performance cars often make bold promises, but the Mercedes-AMG Concept AMG GT XX arrives with a confidence that suggests AMG is already thinking several steps ahead. Even before considering the power figures, the design alone indicates this isn’t a subtle introduction to the EV world — it’s a statement piece. The long, stretched silhouette, dramatic fenders, and Sunset Beam Orange paint with its liquid-metal Electroluminescent effect immediately set it apart. While the styling has received mixed reactions online, everything about its shape is purposeful rather than vanity. At 0.198 Cd, the GT XX is one of the most aerodynamic performance concepts ever revealed, achieved through a bold combination of low-slung surfaces, active aero management, and that polarising AMG-specific grille with 10 vertical slats.
Only after you absorb the exterior drama do the technical details hit you — and they hit hard. AMG has packed three axial-flux electric motors into the GT XX, two mounted at the rear and one at the front, producing over 1,000 kW of combined power. It’s a layout engineered for impressive figures, but the real magic lies deeper in the car: the brand-new AMG.EA 800-volt platform. Designed to push EV performance far beyond what we’ve seen from Mercedes-AMG so far, the system theoretically allows for an eye-opening 400 km of WLTP range with roughly five minutes of charging. It’s outrageous on paper, but that’s exactly what concept cars are meant to do — provide a glimpse of what happens when engineers are unrestrained.
Concept AMG GT XX Specifications
CONCEPT AMG GT XX
Length / Width / Height (mm)
5,204 / 1,945 (2,130 incl. mirrors) / 1,317
Electric Motors
Three axial flux motors
Max. Drivetrain Power
>1,000 kW (>1,360 hp)
Drive System
AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable AWD
Top Speed
>360 km/h
Charging Time ( ~400 km WLTP)
~5 minutes
Average DC Charging Power
>850 kW over a wide SOC range
Nominal Voltage
>800 V
Drag Coefficient (Cd)
0.198
Frontal Area
2.24 m²
CONCEPT AMG GT XX | Image: Mercedes-AMG
How Powerful Is the Concept AMG GT XX?
Now you’re wondering what these high-tech axial flux motors that Markus Schäfer mentioned powering this Concept AMG GT XX are. Well, this is where things get interesting. Mercedes-AMG didn’t settle for a typical dual-motor setup; instead, they went all out with three axial flux motors—two located at the back for maximum power and one up front to keep everything glued to the road. Together, they deliver more than 1000 kW of power, or over 1,360 horsepower, with a top speed of 360 km/h (224 mph). Pretty impressive, right?
Here’s a clearer overview:
Motors: Three axial flux electric motors (two rear, one front)
Acceleration: Not officially quoted, but expected to be hypercar quick
Now, the motors are impressive, but the battery behind them is where things get seriously nerdy—in the best way. AMG developed a High Performance Electric Battery (HP.EB) built around 3,000 cylindrical NCMA cathode and silicon-rich anode cells, all packed into a laser-welded aluminium casing designed for stronger thermal and electrical flow. You don’t need to memorise the chemistry; just know this is top-tier, next-generation tech designed to squeeze out every watt of performance.
Pair that with the AMG.EA 800-volt architecture, and suddenly the GT XX begins to feel like it’s plugged into the future. With access to the right charger, it can draw up to 850 kW—enough to add about 400 km of WLTP-estimated range in under five minutes. That’s not just fast charging or, as I like to call it, A pit-stop refuelling.
CONCEPT AMG GT XX | Image: Mercedes-AMG
CONCEPT AMG GT XX | Image: Mercedes-AMG
Of course, there’s a small catch… Only one charger on Earth can currently deliver 850 kW, a prototype co-developed by Mercedes-Benz and Alpitronic. The plan, however, is to scale this technology through the expanding Mercedes-Benz Charging Network, much like Tesla built its Supercharger empire.
Since this is a concept, most people will never get behind the wheel, but AMG still shared how it would drive. Power is delivered to the ground through a fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, allowing the three motors to instantly shift torque between the front and rear. This is what most of us would expect to see in the next generation of AMG EVs.
And because AMG refuses to release a performance car without some attitude, the GT XX doesn’t stay silent. It pumps out a synthetic V8-inspired soundtrack—inside and outside—thanks to speakers integrated into the headlights and a clever membrane system that adds deep, punchy bass. Fake? Sure. Fun? Absolutely.
CONCEPT AMG GT XX | Image: Mercedes-AMG
CONCEPT AMG GT XX | Image: Mercedes-AMG
CONCEPT AMG GT XX | Image: Mercedes-AMG
CONCEPT AMG GT XX | Image: Mercedes-AMG
What Does the Concept AMG GT XX Look Like Inside?
Interior design in the Concept AMG GT XX heavily reflects AMG’s racing heritage while exploring new, experimental ideas. The cabin combines futuristic surfaces with raw motorsport elements, starting with LABFIBER — a biotech leather alternative made from recycled AMG GT3 racing tyres — paired with backlit upholstery shaped like a chequered flag. Exposed sections on the instrument panel and doors give everything a stripped, performance-oriented vibe, while carbon-fibre bucket seats with 3D-printed pads and machined aluminium buttons stamped with the AMG crest add a level of detail that feels both technical and artistic.
The digital side of the interior plays just as big a role. A 10.25-inch instrument display sits ahead of the driver, complemented by a 14-inch touchscreen that tilts subtly toward you, creating a cockpit-like wraparound effect. What makes this setup interesting isn’t just the hardware, but how it visualizes the powertrain. Real-time animations of the drivetrain and battery add a playful, almost video game-like quality to performance monitoring, making the tech feel alive rather than simply informative. It’s precisely the kind of detail that makes a concept car feel like a glimpse of what’s coming next.
The steering wheel is another feature worth mentioning, and AMG has always led in this area, but the GT XX pushes things even further with a rectangular racing-inspired design, a flat top and bottom, and dual horizontal struts that immediately transform the driving experience. Regen-control paddles sit behind the wheel, while AMG’s signature toggle switches line the grips with colour-coded icons. An integrated LED strip provides real-time updates on battery and performance, turning the wheel itself into a kind of live performance gauge. It’s dramatic, practical, and distinctly AMG.
CONCEPT AMG GT XX | Image: Mercedes-AMG
What’s Behind the Aerodynamic Shape of the CONCEPT AMG GT XX?
Aerodynamics are the entire reason the Concept AMG GT XX looks the way it does. Even AMG admits it isn’t aiming for classic beauty here—“Drag!” is the real reason. When a car is designed to reach 360 km/h, the biggest enemy isn’t weight or traction; it’s air resistance. So instead of going for a stylish silhouette, AMG shaped the GT XX to be as aerodynamic as possible.
The low, flat stance, sharply angled windscreen, long bonnet, and slanted side windows all work together to help the car cut through the air efficiently. Even familiar systems like the AIRPANEL active aero from the AMG GT return with new tuning, while the complete removal of a rear window helps streamline airflow off the back. All of these choices contribute to a drag coefficient of Cd = 0.198, placing the GT XX alongside aero-focused vehicles like the Xiaomi SU7 (0.195) and Lucid Air (0.197).
One of the most impressive aerodynamic features sits at each corner of the car, where AMG has installed 21-inch forged aluminium five-spoke active Aero Wheels. Each wheel conceals five adjustable aero blades operated by a small actuator tucked inside the hub. When the car requires extra brake cooling, the blades open to draw in air; when efficiency is the priority, they close to create a cleaner, more aerodynamic profile.
CONCEPT AMG GT XX | Image: Mercedes-AMG
CONCEPT AMG GT XX | Image: Mercedes-AMG
The engineering behind them is just as wild. Each actuator produces its own electricity with a mini-generator built into the spinning wheel, and all four communicate wirelessly via Bluetooth. It’s the kind of detail you’d expect to see on a high-budget sci-fi prototype, not a four-door concept car.
“With the CONCEPT AMG GT XX, we have succeeded in translating our design vision for AMG into the future,” said Michael Schiebe, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. He goes even deeper into what the car represents: “Sports cars have always been the icons of our brand; they are emotional and truly special to create. They represent unique moments in time. Icons like the 300 SL and the legendary Silver Arrows are the emotional heart of our brand, as are the GT and AMG ONE. Crafting these masterpieces is about creating something extraordinary—from the C111 to the Vision One-Eleven, and into the future of production. The brand-new CONCEPT AMG GT XX embodies the hot part of our design philosophy of sensual purity.”
With that mindset, the GT XX’s shape makes perfect sense. It’s not designed to be soft or attractive — it’s intended to look fast, feel technical, and behave like a machine built to cheat the wind. It’s AMG’s way of saying performance comes first, and everything else follows.
CONCEPT AMG GT XX | Image: Mercedes-AMG
What Comes After the CONCEPT AMG GT XX?
The Concept AMG GT XX won’t be hitting the road in its current form, but that doesn’t make it any less important. Instead, it offers a preview of the first series-production model built on AMG’s new AMG.EA high-performance architecture. It provides a glimpse into how Mercedes-AMG plans to develop its electric identity — not by softening its approach, but by doubling down on the features that made AMG renowned in the first place.
Mercedes-AMG makes it clear that this concept marks a turning point. “The CONCEPT AMG GT XX is the next milestone in the history of AMG and forges a whole new dimension of performance,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement. Coming from someone at the very top of the company’s engineering structure, that carries weight — and confidence.
Schäfer explains why the GT XX is so important to the brand’s electric plans. “We’re bringing groundbreaking technology that redefines high performance, and the best thing is that this car is a true AMG with every fibre of its being. The heart of an AMG was always the motor, and that will remain so with our in-house electric architecture. With our high-tech axial flux motor, we’re delivering a revolutionary new drive that is unparalleled in power density, weight, and packaging. This pairs with a new performance battery developed from scratch that enables a previously unimagined level of performance and endurance.”
When a production model inspired by the GT XX eventually arrives, it won’t just expand AMG’s EV lineup. It will give Mercedes-AMG a genuine competitor to the Porsche Taycan and a strong response to aggressive players like the Xiaomi SU7. The GT XX may be a concept car, but the message behind it is clear: the next era of AMG performance is on its way, and it will arrive with the same attitude, intensity, and ambition the brand is known for — only now delivered through electric motors instead of pistons.
Elias Albay is the Founder and Director of Many Men Magazine, a Toronto-based digital publication dedicated to promoting modern masculinity through style, culture, and self-improvement. What started as a personal turning point became a purposeful platform. — born from Elias’ desire to create something meaningful after completing his studies and finding no career path that truly matched his ambitions. With a background in Civil Engineering from York University and experience in Commercial Flight Operations at CAE, he applied skills, and resilience from both fields to forge a new path.