While the Mercedes-Benz EQS is a flagship car that has shown the world how luxurious long-range electric cars can be, it’s just the icebreaker.
The company’s true next-level EV innovation is due in 2024, and it was revealed on Monday as the Vision EQXX concept.
While Quick EQS is back and EQE sedan, and coming soon EQS SUV and EQE SUV, all of which will be built on top of the automaker’s electric vehicle (EVA) architecture, the rest of the Mercedes-Benz mid-size and compact models coming later this decade will be built. on a set of platforms called the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA)—Previewed in EQXX.
EQXX, built on Vision IAA concept from the 2015 Frankfurt motor show, showing all the signs of an exciting hypercar project – by the original definition of the term. Like Volkswagen XL1, it is light and lean and aims to be efficient at every decisive moment.
Mercedes Vision EQXX EV concept
With a battery pack of less than 100 kWh, Mercedes claims it can achieve a real-world range of more than 1,000 km (about 621 miles)—a slight drop to us on VW’s 1 liter/100 km goal with the XL1 .
However, the two projects couldn’t be more different in terms of production goals. During a series of Q&A sessions held on Monday after the reveal, Mercedes-Benz executives explained that the EQXX isn’t as far-fetched as it seems.
“All the elements we see in this car will go into mass production,” said Markus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer of Daimler AG and member of the Mercedes-Benz Board of Directors.
From that moment with Schäfer and the Design Director of Daimler AG, Gorden Wagener, we got some first impressions of how profound these elements are. The automaker could have a very attractive and competitive range of luxury EVs by the middle of the decade. Here’s a bunch of tech takeaways on how the EQXX concept hints at what’s to come:
Mercedes Vision EQXX EV concept
Lightness is key. The EQXX is built on a 110.2-inch wheelbase and is about the same size as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Tesla Model 3. Total limited weight is 3,850 pounds, which if this were to carry over to production models would significantly reduce the Model 3’s limited weight while offering more battery and range.
A big boost in range. Mercedes is preparing to issue a statement with 621 miles claimed by EQXX. “We think that range is important to our customers for a long time,” says Schäfer, until the charging network improves. “We’re talking about real-life scope; that means the certified range is over, over 1000 km in this space.” The company now has the toolbox to deliver 1,000 km. But if it doesn’t, Schäfer explains, it could be scaled down. — cut costs, ease supply chain burdens and lose weight.
Conceptual Energy Density Mercedes EQXX
Review the battery. Compared to the battery pack in the EQS, Mercedes says it’s half the size and 30% lighter, while allowing almost the same amount of power. The cells used in the EQXX will incorporate a “much tighter” pin format influenced by experience gained in F1 racing. The cells alone provide a 20% increase in energy density compared to those used in the EQS, said Schäfer, before allowing the density increase of the package design itself.
Indoor electric motor. This marks the debut of the first electronic powertrain entirely designed by Mercedes, which includes battery, engine electronics and software. Schäfer says it is running on a test bench and will be tested on real-world roads within a few months during the EQXX, with small-scale permission from regulators.
Help from F1 racing. Schäfer says that they have moved electronic drive development back in-house because their engineers have lots of ideas for taking engine performance to the next level. Having solved that problem, it aims to redesign the inverter following the experience from Formula One racing, integrating silicon carbide technology. It also brings software and software development in-house. The result, it claims, is an astonishing 95% efficiency from battery to tire.
Efficiency Mercedes EQXX concept
Various battery chemistries, modular motor systems. Mercedes plans to offer a wide range of battery chemistries, depending on the needs of the range and price point, along with a diverse output power that could deliver 500 kW (671 hp). And that’s before seeing what AMG adds to this scalable, modular system, suggests Schäfer.
All-wheel drive is available, but rear-wheel drive tops the efficiency ladder. Schäfer says the single-engine concept makes the most sense to allow for as low energy consumption as possible, while using the space under the hood for other purposes.
Transfer content with cell-to-pack. Mercedes will launch the BionEQXX casting process that shapes much of the vehicle’s rear structure in one casting, incorporating the battery cover in the subframe of the cast structure. Schäfer assures us that the process is bound for mass production.
Mercedes EQXX battery concept
Back to air-cooled batteries? With MMA vehicles, Mercedes will likely switch from liquid battery cooling to a “passive” air-cooling method. This strategy, Schäfer explains, will involve smart cell management throughout the package, plus an integrated cooling pad at the bottom, combined with vents that open when temperatures rise. The goal, he explains again, is to save energy, because it takes more energy to pump fluid through a system.
Fast charging — with some tricks coming soon. Initially with this strategy in mind, Schäfer says vehicles will be able to recover a range of about 300 km (186 miles) in 15 minutes — not as fast as the package in the EQS, but not much slower either. “With this type of system, the number one priority for us is range,” says Schäfer, hinting that there will be more MMA platform-related news and even faster charging.
Mercedes EQXX concept aero
Aero is more active. The EQXX has an unusual drag coefficient of 0.17. We’ve seen plenty of models with active grille shutters, but expect a whole new level of active aerodynamics when the MMA models arrive in 2024 and 2025.
Mercedes EQXX solar roof concept
A solar roof. According to Schäfer, the company plans to include solar roofs in its production cars starting in 2024. “Solar roofs will be a very important factor in the future,” he said, predicts when customers will have a choice between a greenhouse roof—perhaps like the one offered on the EQS—and a solar roof. Mercedes suggests that a solar roof in the EQXX could recover up to 25 kilometers (16 miles) per day. It’s a very different decision than Toyota and Hyundai, both of which recently decided not to offer a solar roof to US customers in the US. bZ4X and Ioniq 5, corresponding.
Mercedes Vision EQXX EV concept
Tires are higher. “We can present a new concept here, with new partners for a next-generation tyre,” said Schäfer. With the goal of low rolling resistance but good handling performance, Mercedes is helping to accelerate that development. Wagener notes that the project came up with a larger, taller tire with the car’s rear track actually being a bit narrower than the front track, so they can get through the wind channel.
Mercedes Vision EQXX EV concept
Super screen horizon. Mercedes takes some cues from the Hyperscreen interface just debuted in the EQS and goes sideways here, with a completely seamless screen that stretches 47.5 inches from front pillar to pillar. Wagener calls it a “high-tech luxury approach,” comparing it to older Bang & Olufsen designs. Game engines help create a whole new dynamic user experience that is as immersive — or as simple — as the user wants it to be.
