MERCEDES-BENZ

VISION EQXX: the brand's new electrified effortlessly covered more than 1,000 km in cold and wet conditions with speeds of up to 140 km/h(see in the video below)

The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX has taken the meaning of efficiency in an electric vehicle to a new level, now in real life and independently proven conditions. The long-distance journey was completed with the charging socket sealed and accompanied by an independent specialist from the European certification body TÜV Süd. Traveling from Sindelfingen (Germany) through the Swiss Alps and northern Italy, to the final destination in the town of Cassis on the Côte d'Azur (France), he effortlessly covered over 1,000 km in daily traffic on a single battery charge. .

The journey started in cold and wet conditions, with some extended periods at speeds of up to 140 km/h on German motorways and close to the speed limit elsewhere. In the end, the battery charge status was around 15%, with a remaining range of around 140 kilometers.

“We covered more than 1,000 kilometers with ease and on a single battery charge, with a consumption of only 8.7 kWh/100 km in real traffic conditions. The VISION EQXX is the most efficient Mercedes ever built,” says Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

To show what is electrically 'feasible', the research vehicle completed a day trip across several European borders: from Germany to Switzerland, to Italy, via Milan and finally to its destination, the port city of Cassis, near Marseille, in the south of France.

The route profile, with highways, mountain ups and downs and including road works, combined with the different weather conditions presented the VISION EQXX with a wide variety of challenges. Departing from the Sindelfingen Research & Development center near Stuttgart/Germany in cold conditions, temperatures from start to finish ranged from 3 to 18 degrees Celsius. North of the Alps there was light rain, and further south a gentle wind blew in the sun.

With its low Cd value of 0.17, it gives the wind virtually nothing to grab onto. This exceptional value results from the intelligent interaction of many individual measurements. It starts with the basic body shape, cradling the smooth-surfaced dome of the greenhouse while elegantly flowing like a drop of water towards the rear. The active rear diffuser, which opens automatically at 60 km/h, provides better airflow and therefore contributes significantly to reduced drag.

The tech vehicle gains even more efficiency benefits from its tires, with its extremely low rolling resistance rating of 4.7. Bridgestone developed tires specifically for the VISION EQXX in partnership with Mercedes-Benz.

The vehicle's special features also include its carefully thought-out lightweight construction, which has a particularly positive effect on hills. The VISION EQXX's lightweight design concept is comprehensive - from the materials used to the innovative bionic structures that offer a favorable power-to-weight ratio. Examples of this are the sustainable carbon-sugar fiber material used in the upper part of the battery, which is also used in Formula 1, and the BIONEQXXTM rear floor, which is made using an aluminum die-casting process. The light metal structural component replaces a much heavier assembly of several interconnected pieces. It has clearances in places where structural strength is not needed, saving material. All this results in weight savings of up to 20% compared to a conventionally manufactured component.

A large part of the weight efficiency is also due to the dedicated electric chassis with lightweight F1 subframe and aluminum brake discs. Another is the battery. With 100 kWh, the energy storage unit developed specifically for the VISION EQXX has almost the same amount of energy as the battery of the Mercedes-Benz EQS, which is already a world reference among electric cars currently on the market. However, it has 50% less bulk and is 30% lighter. The result is that the compact battery, measuring just 200 x 126 x 11 cm, is also comparatively light at 495 kg and fits in a compact car. The electric drive was developed in cooperation with experts from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.

The VISION EQXX can use the rebound effect on any type of slope and during all braking manoeuvres, thus increasing its range. A positive side effect of this electric braking is that mechanical brakes are rarely used. This makes it possible, for the first time, to use new types of aluminum brake discs that weigh significantly less than their steel counterparts.

On its fixed sunroof, 117 solar cells power the 12-volt battery, which supplies power to auxiliary consumers such as the navigation system. The added value is measurable through the charge it removes from the high voltage battery, displayed by the on-board computer. Overall, the sunroof increases range by more than two percent - which adds up to about 25 kilometers on a journey of more than 1,000 kilometers.

The VISION EQXX's electric drive unit - comprising the electric motor, transmission and power electronics - was jointly developed with the F1 experts at Mercedes-Benz High Performance Powertrain (HPP) and has a maximum output of 180 kW (245 hp). ). Like the battery, the unit is compact, lightweight and highly efficient. Its average efficiency in this application is 95%. This means that 95% of the battery's energy is transferred to the wheels.

As the electric power train generates little waste heat thanks to its high efficiency, passive cooling is sufficient for the entire journey. The underbody cooling plate uses airflow to ensure even cooling. This highly efficient aerodynamic solution increases the range by 20 kilometers, while the Cd value remains unchanged at 0.17.

The VISION EQXX is also an intelligent assistant, assisting the driver like a co-driver with tips on the best possible driving style. The efficiency assistant provides information on power flow, battery status, topography, and even wind and sun direction and strength.

The onboard experience now features an all-new, one-piece display that spans the entire width of the interior. User interface elements enable seamless interaction between driver and vehicle. This includes Artificial Intelligence (AI) that mimics the way the human brain works. In the VISION EQXX, Mercedes-Benz takes a radically new approach to interactivity.

Just before crossing the finish line in the town of Cassis, the VISION EQXX, after 11 hours and 32 minutes of driving, ended its 1,008-kilometer journey with a remaining range of around 140 kilometers. That means he could have set off again for a ride along the Mediterranean coast without needing to recharge.

Autonews