Mercedes highlights ‘future of electric cars' with Vision EQXX concept

Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz brand has revealed a 620-mile-plus electric vehicle concept that the luxury automaker claims is its "most efficient and aerodynamic vehicle."

The Vision EQXX, which Mercedes said can drive from New York to Cincinnati on a single charge and is as aerodynamic as a football, showcases long-distance efficiency through advancements in energy density, aerodynamics and lightweight design.

"The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX is how we imagine the future of electric cars," Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius said in a statement.

The concept was revealed Jan. 3 at an online event and was to be the centerpiece of the brand's stand at CES in Las Vegas. Mercedes pulled out of the show in late December, citing the global spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The Vision EQXX is an experiment in energy efficiency — demonstrating efficiency improvements in the electric motor, inverter, battery design, packaging and thermal management.

The coupe-styled Vision EQXX, which was developed over 18 months, packs the energy of the full-size Mercedes EQS sedan.

The battery pack holds nearly 100 kilowatt-hours of energy, yet has half the volume and is 30 percent lighter than the EQS, Mercedes said.

The lid for the battery pack is made from a "unique, sustainable composite material derived from sugar-cane waste, reinforced with carbon fiber," the company said.

Beyond the battery pack, Mercedes turned to bio-based composites for multiple parts in the EQXX including:

• Seating material produced from an "animal-free leather alternative" called Deserttex produced from cactus fibers combined with a bio-based polyurethane. Future development for Deserttex could mean its ecological footprint is half that of conventional leather alternatives.

• The doors are made from a hybrid of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and glass-fiber-reinforced plastics with aluminum reinforcements. In addition, a new nylon foam is used to reinforce the lower edge of the door and optimize energy absorption during a side crash.

• Advanced glass-fiber-reinforced plastic springs, developed in partnership with Rheinmetall Automotive, offer lighter weight than conventional coil springs.

• The rear floor uses recycled plastics from development partner UBQ Materials to keep out water and dirt while still reducing weight. UBQ uses mixed plastics and other materials that could go to landfills. Mercedes said while it is only using the plastic in prototypes, it "offers very strong potential" for full production soon.

The Vision EQXX features a thermal-management system that helps limit energy loss. A combination of aero shutters, coolant valves and water pumps ensures the electric drivetrain maintains an ideal temperature.

A cooling plate installed in the vehicle floor takes advantage of the air flowing along the underside and helps the Vision EQXX squeeze an additional 12 miles of range.

Efficiency improvements are not limited to the drivetrain. "Ultra-thin" solar roof panels help deliver up to 16 miles of additional range.

Like most concepts, the Vision EQXX interior is a study in advanced software and sustainable materials.

The cockpit is anchored by a heads-up display stretching 47.5 inches across the width of the car.

To reduce energy consumption — important in an electric vehicle — engineers tweaked the speaker layout, positioning them close to the occupants and reducing the distance the sound travels. Two speakers in each headrest, paired with a bass exciter in the seats, not only transmit sound from the music system but haptic feedback and auditory warnings, too.

The Vision EQXX, which stretches the imagination with a mix of fantastical technologies, serves as a template for future Mercedes models.

Daimler plans to invest more than $46 billion between 2022 and 2030 to develop EVs and become an all-electric brand in markets ready for the switch.