The long-range EV prototype was a star attraction at the third edition of Mercedes’ Safe Roads summit.
Mercedes-Benz recently held the third edition of its Safe Roads summit in India. The initiative was first introduced in 2015 and the second edition was held in 2019. In the latest edition, the German carmaker made two important announcements.
The first announcement was Vision Zero 2050, its aim to achieve a goal of accident-free driving by 2050. The second was the showcase of the Vision EQXX electric concept car, the one that achieved the feat of completing more than 1,000km on a single charge, not once but twice! The Vision EQXX EV concept was unveiled globally earlier this year.
Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India, said, “Vision EQXX is a testament to our development approach. It underlines our pioneering spirit, technological leadership and expertise in electric cars, and positions Mercedes-Benz as a leading tech brand. I am proud to share that MBRDI has contributed extensively towards the development of Vision EQXX”.
Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX: performance
Aiding the efficiency of the EQXX is its aerodynamic coefficient of 0.17Cd, the lowest of any Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle. The EQS 580 has a drag coefficient of 0.20Cd, which is the best any production car has been able to achieve. This shows the vision (pun intended) Mercedes has towards the future of EVs.
To further help with efficiency, Mercedes has tried to keep the weight down as much as possible. The brand has also kept the dimensions of the Vision EQXX in check by keeping the overall package compact.
The Vision EQXX is not the most powerful electric Mercedes-Benz as it is more focused on maximising efficiency. Powering it is a single electric motor that produces 244hp (180kW) and is placed on the rear axle. It houses a 100kWh battery that supports charging speeds of up to 900V. As mentioned, the EQXX has a real-world range of around 1,000km, approximately 250km more than the highest-range variant of the EQS.
Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX: efficiency
The Vision EQXX has been designed with one thing in mind, maximising efficiency. One way that Mercedes achieved this was by not employing a large capacity battery, but by improving the aerodynamics. While its 100kWh battery provides more than 1,000km of range, it benefits mostly from its aerodynamics.
It is pegged as Mercedes-Benz’s most efficient electric vehicle as it is able to achieve around 10km per kWh, almost double the EQS on the WLTP cycle. Mercedes claims this efficiency is equivalent of an ICE-powered car with a 1.0-litre petrol engine.
Furthermore, helping the Vision EQXX get slightly better efficiency is the use of 117 solar cells on the roof. These solar panels help it get up to 25km of additional range, over the course of a day. Currently, the solar panels also cover the rear window, hampering the visibility at the back.
Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX: design
The Vision EQXX is a four-door coupe that features a very streamlined design, with smooth, flowing lines and barely any cuts. Up front, the Vision EQXX features an LED lightbar that stretches across the width of the car but the real pièce de résistance about the front is the incorporation of a three-pointed star as daytime running lights in the headlamps.
Like the Mercedes-AMG One hypercar, the Vision EQXX also features a sticker of the Mercedes-Benz logo on the bonnet. On the bumper, it features multiple three-pointed star motifs that imitate a grille-like design. This makes the concept car look a bit more road-worthy than it is.
Moving on to the sides, the Vision EQXX uses lightweight magnesium wheels with special see-through covers that reduce turbulence, aiding aerodynamics. It also has flush door handles like the ones seen on the latest Mercedes-Benz models.
At the back, is where the Vision EQXX’s design really stands out from the rest of the EV flock. With Mercedes’ aim to reduce drag, this EV has a swooping roofline that gives it a longtail-like design, reminiscent of the McLaren Speedtail. The back also features an inverted U-shaped lightbar that acts as the brake light. However, there’s a hidden rear diffuser that automatically extends out at high speeds for better airflow and reduced turbulence. The Vision EQXX also has a staggered track width, with the rear being 50mm narrower than the front.
While Mercedes only displayed the non-running prototype, the interior of the Vision EQXX was inaccessible at the time. More on that later when Mercedes-Benz showcases the full, running and driving version of the Vision EQXX concept in India in January.
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