When less is more: Mercedes-Benz EQXX brings EV range and efficiency to a whole new level

It’s no secret that Mercedes-Benz has big things planned for its all-electric concept car, the EQXX. That said, the German luxury car brand dropped segment-shattering details — the kind that would take EV range and efficiency to a whole new level.

“The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX is how we imagine the future of electric cars. Just one-and-a-half years ago, we started this project leading to the most efficient Mercedes-Benz ever built — with an outstanding energy consumption of less than 10kWh per 100 kilometers. It has a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) on a single charge using a battery that would fit even into a compact vehicle. The Vision EQXX is an advanced car in so many dimensions — and it even looks stunning and futuristic. With that, it underlines where our entire company is headed: We will build the world’s most desirable electric cars,” said Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG Chairman of the Board of Management, Ola Källenius.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the EQXX is the brand’s most efficient car to date, pushing the envelope with a mixture of advanced technology and talented teamwork. The outcome, said the company, will be a road-legal research prototype that delivers more range from less energy, more tangible luxury and convenience with less impact on the environment, and more electric mobility with less waste.

The EQXX is equipped with a super-efficient electric drivetrain which promises 95 percent efficiency. Mercedes-Benz further explains that compared to traditional ICEs, which are only around 30 percent efficient, the Mercedes-Benz EQXX is capable of sending 95 percent of its overall power to the wheels.

“One of the best ways to improve efficiency is to reduce losses,” explained Mercedes-Benz Electric Drive System Chief Engineer Eva Greiner. “We worked on every part of the system to reduce energy consumption and losses through system design, material selection, lubrication, and heat management. And our fantastic simulation tools helped us find out quickly what works and what doesn't.”

The electric drive unit in the Vision EQXX is a dedicated unit consisting of the electric motor, transmission, and power electronics featuring a new generation of silicon carbides.

Adding to the efficiency of the Vision EQXX’s powertrain, Mercedes-Benz also equipped it with specially designed wheels and tires. The 20-inch, lightweight, forged-magnesium wheels feature a semi-transparent double-spoke design with aerodynamically optimized sidewalls. They are fitted with Bridgestone's Turanza Eco tire combined with lightweight and environmentally friendly “Enliten” and “ologic” technology enabling ultra-low-rolling resistance.

To help improve the range, Mercedes-Benz gave the Vision EQXX a specially engineered body to help combat aerodynamic drag.

“The aerodynamics of the Vision EQXX embodies this fusion of tech and aesthetic for us as designers. In line with our philosophy of Sensual Purity, we created spectacular proportions that combine beauty with efficiency. The resulting body flow delivers revolutionary aerodynamics. The fact that the end result is as beautiful as it bears testament to the skill of our design team working in close collaboration with the aerodynamics experts,” said Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener.

When all is said and done, the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX can take owners from Berlin to Paris, from New York City to Cincinnati, Ohio, or from Beijing to Nanjing on a single charge. Based on average distances driven per year, a driver in the US or China would have to fully recharge the Vision EQXX only twice per month and in Europe just once per month.

The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX achieves such a feat not because it has a big battery, but because it's highly efficient.

Other features to expect from the Vison EQXX include a lighter and a more powerful battery, interior elements made from sustainable and recycled materials, a rigid rear-end component made using Mercedes-Benz’s BIONEQXX aluminum structural casting, Mercedes-Benz’s lightweight BIONICAST damper dome, neuromorphic computing technology, the “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant, and an optimized sound system.

Photos from Mercedes-Benz

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