Having physically withdrawn from CES 2022 in Las Vegas due to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, the German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz nevertheless proceeded today to the unveiling of a very promising concept for the future of electric vehicles.
Called EQXX, the vehicle takes the form not of an SUV but rather of a sedan. However, it is the figures that are surprising.
Lightweight and aerodynamic to the max
Weighing around 1,750 kilograms (3,858 pounds), the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX is far lighter than the majority of today’s premium electric vehicles. Engineers maximized the use of the BIONEQXX structure, already used on the EQS, for a 15-20% weight reduction.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
For their part, the designers gave birth to a silhouette whose drag coefficient is only 0.17 – better than said EQS which is the champion in this chapter (0.20). That makes all the difference, because according to the company, the average electric car spends roughly two-thirds of its battery’s capacity fighting air resistance. The EQXX can also thank its bonnet with functional aerodynamic openings, its closed 20-inch rims with specially adapted Bridgestone Turanza Eco tires and its rear diffuser that deploys when driving at high speed.
More than 1,000 kilometers
However, the most impressive thing about the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX concept is the promise of a range that exceeds 1,000 kilometers according to the WLTP standard. This is not because of a super powerful battery (it makes “less than 100 kWh”), but rather because the vehicle is able to consume less than 10 kWh per 100 kilometers. It is an efficiency never seen before.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
The said battery, developed with the help of the Mercedes F1 team, is twice as compact and 30% lighter than that of the EQS. It is part of a 900 volt electrical architecture, which again is superior to anything in existence today. Unfortunately, no recharge time is mentioned. And by the way, solar panels on the roof make it possible to travel up to 25 additional kilometers under ideal conditions or to power the various systems of the car.
As for performance, the single electric motor that powers the EQXX generates 150 kilowatts, or the equivalent of 201 horsepower. This is nothing to get excited about, because the primary objective here is clearly autonomy. However, it should be noted that the energy loss is only 5%. In other words, 95% of the battery charge goes directly to the wheels.
Spectacular interior
Describing the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX concept is also not without mentioning the spectacular interior. The ultra-wide 47.5-inch 8K-resolution interface features over 3,000 individual lighting zones, and only those that light up waste power. The display, as you can see from the pictures, is exceptional.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Obviously, the decor relies heavily on sustainable materials (eg vegan fabric door handles, bamboo fiber rugs and the traditional Mercedes-Benz ‘Dinamica’ made from 38% recycled plastic bottles), but the comfort for which the brand is famous is preserved.
Although the Vision EQXX concept will not go into production as is, many of its innovations and technologies will be found in future Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles, presumably starting in the second half of the decade. To be continued!