After months of teasing, the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX concept is finally here as the brand's expression of the pinnacle of automotive efficiency. A production version is also on the way.
The EQXX's impressive efficiency allows it to cover over 621 miles (1,000 kilometres) on a charge. This would be enough to go from Berlin, Germany, to Paris, France, without needing to plug in the saloon. Mercedes claims the average driver would only need to recharge the vehicle twice a month.
Gallery: Mercedes Vision EQXX
Mercedes isn't disclosing the capacity of the EQXX's battery beyond saying that the figure is less than 100 kilowatt-hours. The company touts a few impressive details about the pack, though. It has 50 percent less volume and is 30 percent lighter than the one in the EQS. The maximum system voltage is 900 volts. The battery and the frame that carries it weighs around 495 kilograms (1,091 pounds).
Power comes from an electric motor that makes 201 bhp (150 kilowatts). Mercedes touts that the powertrain is so efficient that 95 percent of the energy ends up at the wheels.
There's a solar panel with 117 cells is on the roof, and the vehicle uses it to power many of the ancillary electric systems, like the blower for the HVAC system, lights, and infotainment system. A separate lithium-iron-phosphate battery stores the energy. In ideal conditions, this tech can free up 15.53 miles (25 kilometres) of range.
It's not obvious when looking at the EQXX in photos, but the vehicle is fairly compact. The saloon has a length of roughly 463 centimetres (182.3 inches) and a wheelbase of 280 centimetres (110.2 inches). For comparison, the latest C-Class is 475 centimetres (187 inches) long and rides on a 286.51-centimetre (112.8-inch) wheelbase.
The EQXX is also fairly light by EV standards. It weighs 1,750 kilograms (3,858 pounds). That's only a bit more than a 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 Saloon at 1,675 kilograms (3,693 pounds).
To slice through the air, the EQXX has an ultra-low drag coefficient of just 0.18. The body is smooth and has a teardrop shape running from the roof to the tail. The frontal area is actually lower than even models from Smart.
Mercedes incorporates lots of tech to make the saloon so slippery. For example, a combination of air curtains in the front bumper and wheel covers eliminate aerodynamic separation along that corner.
There are also active cooling shutters in the front grille that only open when necessary. At the back, a rear diffuser deploys at high speeds but fits seamlessly into the body when not in use.
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The ultra-low-rolling-resistance tyres come from a collaboration with Bridgestone. They have aerodynamically optimised sidewalls that work with the wheel covers.
Inside, there's a seamless display that spans 120.6 centimetres (47.5 inches) from A-pillar to A-pillar. It has an 8k resolution and runs a navigation system with 3d graphics that can depict a city from a satellite view down to a height of 10 metres (33 feet).
The cabin also makes extensive use of sustainable materials. This includes fabric that uses Biosteel silk-like fibre, vegan leather that comes from mushrooms, animal-free leather from pulverised cactus fibres, and bamboo-based carpets.
Mercedes is not offering any details about when it plans to adapt the EQXX concept into a production-ready vehicle.
Source: Mercedes-Benz