The third iteration of Mercedes-Safe Benz’s Roads summit was recently held in India. The programme was first launched in 2015, and the second iteration took place in 2019. The German automaker made two significant announcements in the most recent edition.
The first announcement was the Vision Zero 2050 initiative, which seeks to eliminate traffic accidents by that year. The second featured the electric concept automobile Vision EQXX, which accomplished travelling more than 1,000 miles on a single charge—not once, but twice! Earlier this year, the Vision EQXX EV idea was made public worldwide.
The CEO and managing director of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI), Manu Saale, stated that “Vision EQXX is a monument to our development methodology. It highlights our pioneering mindset, technological leadership, and experience in electric vehicles and establishes Mercedes-Benz as a top tech brand. The significant contributions made by MBRDI to the creation of Vision EQXX make me happy to share this.
Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX: performance
The lowest drag coefficient of any Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle, 0.17Cd, helps the EQXX’s efficiency. The EQS 580 boasts the lowest drag coefficient of any mass-produced vehicle at 0.20Cd. This demonstrates the (pun intended) Vision Mercedes has for developing electric vehicles.
Mercedes has made a concerted effort to reduce weight to boost efficiency even more. By making the entire package small, the firm has also managed to keep Vision EQXX’s dimensions in check.
The Vision EQXX is more concerned with efficiency than power, making it less potent than other electric Mercedes-Benz models. A single electric motor mounted on the rear axle with a 244hp (180kW) output powers the vehicle. It has a 100kWh battery inside that can support charging up to 900V per second. The EQXX, as previously indicated, has a real-world range of roughly 1,000 km, or 250 km greater than the EQS’s highest-range model.
Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX: efficiency
The Vision EQXX was created with one goal in mind: to maximise efficiency. Mercedes did this, among other things, by enhancing aerodynamics rather than using a battery with a huge capacity. However, it has a range of over 1,000km because of its 100kWh battery, and its aerodynamics help.
It is regarded as Mercedes-most Benz’s most influential electric vehicle due to its ability to accomplish almost 10 km per kWh, nearly twice as much as the EQS on the WLTP cycle. According to Mercedes, this efficiency is comparable to that of an ICE vehicle with a 1.0-litre gasoline engine.
The installation of 117 solar cells on the roof of the Vision EQXX also aids in achieving a marginally higher efficiency. Over a day, these solar panels enable it to gain up to 25 kilometres of additional range. The solar panels also block the back glass, making it difficult to see out the back.
Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX: design
The Vision EQXX is a four-door coupe with a remarkably streamlined design, slender, flowing lines and hardly any cuts. The front of the Vision EQXX has a wide LED lightbar, but the three-pointed star daytime running lights in the headlamps are the true show-stopper.
The Mercedes-Benz logo is a decal on the Vision EQXX, just like the Mercedes-AMG One hypercar. It has numerous three-pointed star designs on the bumper that resemble a grille-like pattern. This gives the concept automobile a more roadworthy appearance than it has.
The Vision EQXX’s lightweight magnesium wheels on the sides have special see-through coverings that decrease turbulence and improve aerodynamics. Additionally, flush door handles similar to those on the most recent Mercedes-Benz vehicles are present.
The Vision EQXX’s design stands out from the rest of the EV herd towards the back. This EV has a swooping roofline that provides a longtail-like look, evocative of the McLaren Speedtail, as part of Mercedes’ effort to reduce drag. The brake light is also located on the back and is in the form of an inverted U-shaped lightbar. The rear diffuser, however, is concealed and automatically expands out at high speeds to improve airflow and lessen turbulence. The track width on the Vision EQXX is also offset, with the rear being 50mm smaller than the front.
The interior of the Vision EQXX was not accessible at the time, and Mercedes only presented the non-running prototype. Later, when Mercedes-Benz unveils the complete, operational, and driveable Vision EQXX concept in India in January, more on that.