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For the moment, this is only a concept car, but the solutions presented by the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX foreshadow certain technologies that will arrive on production models. At the top of the list, a record range of 1,000 km.
Clearly, the Vision EQXX will not go into production as is, but with this sedan concept car with a delightfully old-fashioned design, Mercedes-Benz is unveiling the new technologies that will arrive on its next vehicles by 2030. Many enthusiasts will also be delighted to see that against current trends, the manufacturer is presenting for the CES 2022 a slim and very low sedan. A line inspired by the teardrop design and other racing prototypes of the 60s. With its stern thinner than its bow, and above all a retractable rear air diffuser, its drag coefficient (Cx) is only of 0.17. A figure that should be compared, for example, with the record Cx of 0.23 displayed by the Mercedes CLA. This low drag is a potential source of reduction in consumption, and it is in this aspect that Mercedes-Benz intends to stand out.
Light is Right
According to Joerg Bartels, Mercedes-Benz vice president for vehicle engineering, “Electric range is a complex technical challenge. The simplest solution is to install a larger battery in the car. However, this leads to diminishing returns due to size and weight. It is certainly not the smarter way and it’s not the best use of scarce resources either. “ Based on this premise, the work teams, in collaboration with Mercedes-AMG F1, have developed a battery of approximately 100 kWh; it is based on a 900 V platform, 50% less bulky and 30% lighter than the EQS electric limousine pack. As a result, the Vision EQXX boasts a range of 1,000 km on a single charge. Unfortunately, this figure should be considered with caution, because the measured autonomy is based on numerical simulations and does not yet fall within the scope of a WLTP protocol.
10 kWh per 100 km
However, working on lightness and aerodynamics, rather than developing power, Mercedes is only applying on its concept car a well-known rational recipe in the automobile industry, which has led Lotus seven times to the constructors’ firmament in F1 and whose hobbyhorse has always been lightness.
We therefore find on the Vision EQXX components of the aluminum chassis, others of the interior in 3D printing (without compromising the resistance, says the manufacturer). The magnesium alloy wheels, with a diameter of 20 inches, are fitted with tires with very low rolling resistance and optimized aerodynamics. The sedan has remarkable consumption, placed under the bar of 10 kWh per 100 km. It should also be noted that solar panels installed on the roof offer a gain of autonomy of 25 km.
The technical sheet, miserly in detail, mentions a total weight of 1750 kg, a wheelbase of 2.8 m and a total power of 150 kW, or just over 200 hp. The modest power, compared to the manufacturer’s other productions, underlines the latter’s desire to emphasize autonomy. While no performance figures have been announced, it looks like the power electronics unit is closely tied to that of the AMG Project One hybrid hypercar.
Inside, in addition to a cabin made from recycled and plant-based materials, the Vision EQXX is based on a 47.5-inch 8K panel that runs the entire width of the dashboard. A personal assistant acts as a “traveling companion” in order to optimize journeys while relying on a 3D navigation system in real time. While it is unlikely, not to say utopian, to imagine the production of this concept car, the manufacturer’s desire to highlight aerodynamics and weight reduction is to be welcomed. Let’s wait and see how these technologies arrive in future serial productions.