Mercedes-Benz Future EV: 620-Mile Range Luxury Electric Vehicle

Mercedes-Benz Unveils the Vision EQXX Concept Vehicle

Mercedes-Benz introduced the Vision EQXX on Monday, a concept vehicle designed to demonstrate the future direction of the automaker’s electric vehicle development. This unveiling showcases a striking design combined with innovative engineering, maximizing power, efficiency, and range within a streamlined and sporty form.

A Rapid Prototype and Foundation for Future EVs

The EQXX functions as a flagship model, progressing from initial concept to a working prototype in just 18 months, as detailed during a digital presentation preceding the CES technology exhibition. Mercedes intends for this vehicle to serve as the basis for its forthcoming electric vehicles.

The primary objective wasn’t merely to enhance the vehicle’s aesthetics or incorporate a large infotainment system – though the EQXX does feature one. Instead, the EQXX was utilized as a platform to explore the boundaries of both design and engineering capabilities.

Focus on Efficiency and Lightweight Materials

The company prioritized increasing the energy density of its battery and improving overall efficiency. This was achieved through weight reduction, utilizing lightweight materials for components like the battery case and brake discs. Furthermore, an aerodynamic design, achieving a drag coefficient of Cd 0.175, ultra low-rolling resistance tires, and a new, compact electric drivetrain were implemented.

The all-electric chassis incorporates a lightweight Formula 1 subframe. Notably, the vehicle is equipped with a 900-volt electric architecture, which Mercedes identified as a valuable tool for researching and developing power electronics.

Innovative Features for Extended Range

Additional details include ultra-thin roof panels that contribute to the battery system, providing an additional 15.5 miles of driving range.

The resulting vehicle, according to Mercedes, can travel up to 620 miles on a single charge, boasting an impressive 95% efficiency – meaning 95% of the battery’s energy is delivered to the wheels.

Collaboration Between Departments

The development of this advanced and efficient EV involved collaboration between the company’s R&D department and teams from its Formula 1 and Formula E divisions.

Markus Schäfer, Daimler AG board member and Mercedes-Benz AG’s CTO responsible for development and procurement, emphasized that innovations originating from motorsport – where powertrains are already highly electrified – have direct applicability to the development of road vehicles.

Advanced Battery Technology

Rather than simply increasing battery size, Mercedes-Benz and its HPP team engineered a new battery pack with an energy density approaching 400 Wh/L.

This benchmark figure enabled the integration of a battery pack with nearly 100 kWh of usable energy within the EQXX’s compact dimensions.

“We effectively accommodated the energy capacity of the EQS within the footprint of a compact car,” explained Adam Allsopp, advanced technology director from HPP, referencing the EQS electric vehicle launched in 2021. “The battery offers comparable energy storage but is half the size and 30% lighter. The battery management system and power electronics were designed with a primary focus on minimizing energy loss. This efficiency breakthrough yielded valuable insights that will inform future development programs.”

Exterior Design Highlights

The exterior features a sloping front end with a gloss-black grille accented with rose-gold highlights, alongside a 2D star pattern on the front bumper. The headlights incorporate two star-shaped elements, with the larger housing the low-beam and high-beam light arrays behind a central lens.

Mercedes states that this star arrangement and the 2D star pattern on the bumper preview front-end design elements that will appear in future models.

A surprising feature at the rear is a retractable rear diffuser.

Interior and Technology

The interior boasts a single, expansive 47.5-inch LED display with 8K resolution. Mercedes indicates that the infotainment screen will deliver responsive, real-time graphics across the vehicle’s width.

The automaker collaborated with NAVIS Automotive Systems to create a 3D navigation system that allows users to zoom and scroll through the massive screen. Like recent Mercedes models, the EQXX also includes an advanced voice assistant and software that adapts to the driver’s behavior over time.

Integration into Future Production

The company confirms that many of the EQXX’s features and advancements are already being incorporated into production, including the next generation of the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture for compact and medium-sized vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX, exterior. Image Credits: Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz reveals the VISION EQXX interior. Image Credits: Mercedes-Benz