Mercedes is gearing up for the launch of the Vision EQXX electric car prototype, which could debut at the brand’s strategy event detailing its electric mobility future.
The EQXX EV was first teased last year, with Mercedes claiming it will have the longest electric range and the highest efficiency of any battery-electric vehicle ever built. The brand has released a new teaser image, providing a slightly clearer look at the car’s styling compared to the original profile photo in the form of the car’s silhouette.
The company has not yet released technical information, but a presentation slide suggests that the concept will have a range of at least 750 miles.
Engineers working on the project claim that, instead of increasing the battery capacity (and with it, the weight), improving the aerodynamic efficiency of a car is key to unlocking such an extended range. Mercedes engineers explained: “The easiest way is to put a larger battery in the car, but this leads to diminishing returns. The key is the efficiency of the vehicle and the powertrain.”
The latest Mercedes teaser image hints at this focus on aerodynamic efficiency. The prototype has a very small frontal area, while the transition from the hood to the windshield has a shallow slope to aid airflow. Vent openings and gills have also been kept to a minimum, and the only notable inlets are mounted on the hood.
Unfortunately, the EQXX will not directly spawn a new Mercedes EV. It is expected to be a unique prototype, designed to showcase the technological prowess of the Mercedes EQ brand. However, executives have confirmed that the lessons learned from the prototype will trickle down into the brand’s future series production models.
Speaking at the 2020 strategy event, Markus Schafer, head of Mercedes’ Research and Development department, said: “Today I want to share our plans to go beyond, to see a new frontier of range and efficiency. To find a new way of working, to accelerate product development and technological advancement.
“We have put together a group of our engineers to take on an extraordinary task: to build the longest and most efficient electric car the world has ever seen. This is a serious project, pursuing next-generation technologies. We intend to incorporate the learning into the next generation of series production cars.”
