Mercedes Vision EQXX: The electric flounder

With the premiere of its near-series technology study of the EQXX at CES 2022 in Las Vegas, Daimler wanted to be the first car manufacturer whose electric model can cover a distance of at least 1,000 kilometers on one battery charge. A few weeks ago, however, the Chinese crossover GAC Aion LX plus snatched this finish from Stuttgart. But while the 4.84 meter long SUV needs a gigantic battery with a capacity of 144.4 kWh for this route, the Swabian sedan of the future is on the move with a battery pack that is less than 100 kWh. Intelligent lightweight construction, modern technology modules and aerodynamics that take your breath away, because the drag coefficient is just 0.17, ensure that the individual item can still cover such an effective distance from Berlin to Paris without reloading.

The Mercedes EQXX thus sets technological records similar to that of Volkswagen around ten years ago with its hybrid economy model XL 1, which at the time managed to use less than one liter of fuel per 100 kilometers on fuel consumption trips. Visually, the Mercedes EQXX is almost an old acquaintance, because its design is based on the IAA study of 2019, which is well worth seeing and which has already achieved top drag values ​​with its retractable rear. You can see the excellent drag value of the 1,750 kilogram electric flounder, because the flat front, the low roofline and the long rear, which is reminiscent of a long-tail racing car, are signs that the four-door is practically trying to dive under the headwind . In addition to the weight-optimized battery pack in the underbody, the reduced weight enables an ultra-high-strength steel body with numerous aluminum, CFRP and GFRP modules.

The drive of the Mercedes Vision EQXX is provided by a 150 kW / 204 PS electric motor on the rear axle, which is at least 140 km / h fast in efficient operation. The forged magnesium wheels have a generous 20-inch circumference, but are as narrow as possible with a width of 18.5 centimeters, similar to the BMW i3 or VW XL 1, in order to go on the great journey of efficiency. The real consumption of the future model should be less than ten kilowatt hours per hundred kilometers more economical than with any other vehicle. “The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX shows how we imagine the future of the electric car. In just one and a half years we have developed the most efficient Mercedes of all time – with an energy consumption of less than 10 kWh per 100 kilometers,” says Daimler CEO Ola Källenius , “The Vision EQXX has a range of more than 1,000 kilometers on a single charge – powered by a battery that would fit in a small car.” The chemistry of the anodes also plays a major role in the increased energy density. Their higher silicon content and their composition make it possible to store significantly more energy than the previously available anodes.

The efficiency of the electric motor also sets top marks, because 95 percent of the battery energy reaches the four wheels. Know-how from the in-house Formula 1 forge helped the battery experts to compress the almost 500 kilogram energy storage device of the EQXX into a compact format. The battery package of the vision model stores almost 100 kWh of energy with 50 percent less volume and 30 percent less weight than the current high-tech package in the Mercedes EQS. Not entirely new, but helpful when it comes to every kilometer of range: ultra-thin roof panels with 117 solar cells feed the battery system and provide up to 25 kilometers of additional range. The Swabian Formula 1 team in Brixworth, UK, also contributed the expertise of the electronic chassis.

Inside, the EQXX looks almost like a production vehicle. There are four individual seats, a narrow 47.5-inch display with 8K resolution that extends across the entire dashboard, and a center console with cup holders that underlines the overall puristic character. Noble leather like in Mercedes production models is searched in vain in the future study – seat covers, paneling and carpets are animal-free and so the cozy warmth of the stars is replaced by a high-tech charm. In the EQXX, however, you shouldn’t be too big either at the front or at the back, because the flat roofline sometimes noticeably narrows the headroom. The carpets are made from 100 percent fast-growing bamboo fiber.

The Mercedes Vision EQXX is still a one-off, but it is already scrubbing the first few kilometers in test operation. However, its technologies should find their way into future series models in a variety of ways. This applies to the recycled materials as well as to the efficient drive, low on-board currents or the 900-volt on-board network. “The technology program behind the Vision EQXX will redefine and enable future models and vehicle functions from Mercedes-Benz,” says Daimler Board Member for Development Markus Schäfer. And who knows whether the Mercedes Vision EQXX, like the VW XL 1, might not have what it takes to become a coveted small-series model. For the XL 1, which was only produced 200 times in the VW factory in Osnabrück, the used car market sometimes pays well over 100,000 euros.