AUTONEWS

Mercedes to ditch rounder design to cut costs

Mercedes' next electric cars will abandon the egg shape and will be similar to those equipped with combustion engines. The goal is to share 70% of the parts and reduce costs.

Mercedes announces changes to its electric vehicle strategy, in relation to design. Since it started producing models like the EQE or the EQS, the option was to optimize aerodynamics so as not to compromise autonomy, which gave rise to the line that is known as the “egg” type (rounded shape), as it is quite rounded. As the German brand's electric models are selling below expectations, Mercedes officials blame the lack of design personality for the commercial failure, admitting that customers prefer the more traditionalist lines of the versions with combustion engines. 

And that is why the next battery-powered models from the Stuttgart manufacturer will abandon the “egg” shape and become similar to those equipped with combustion engines. The goal is to share 70% of the parts and reduce costs.

Mercedes' first electric cars, such as the EQC, were slightly modified versions of the combustion versions, mainly in terms of the grille, as they did not need as much fresh air to cool the mechanics and power the engine. The following electric cars, from the EQE to the EQS, debuted the “egg” shape, with the advantage of improving aerodynamics and extending autonomy. But now the brand announces the adoption of a “coherent design language across the range”, regardless of the type of mechanical, combustion or electric. 

And this decision, if it is the antithesis of that adopted by Audi, which invested in electric vehicles designed from scratch, fits perfectly with the line followed by (also) rival BMW, which also uses multi-energy platforms.

When Mercedes says that its next electric models will be as identical to their combustion-engine siblings as possible, so as not to offend its customers' sensibilities, it means that the German manufacturer will continue to use the same chassis as its gasoline-powered cars to build its electric cars. This commitment brings with it the guarantee that, as is the case now, the proverbial quality of materials and construction of the brand's models continues to be guaranteed, regardless of the type of engine. And that covers all models, from the small CLA to the imposing G-Class.

The strategy of using multi-energy platforms has the advantage of reducing investments, as there is no need to design specific platforms for battery-powered cars, nor build new factories (or adapt old ones) to accommodate models with this technology. However, there are also disadvantages in terms of weight and efficiency, which benefit vehicles designed from scratch to install exclusively electric motors. If we compare the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron Performance S-Line with the Mercedes equivalent (in dimensions, power and battery capacity), the EQE 350+ Edition, the Audi is lighter (6.8%) and has more autonomy (8.4%).

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