By Otsile Kadiege

Driving range and efficiency are of utmost importance when developing an electric vehicle. At the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show, Mercedes-Benz virtually revealed a concept vehicle called the Vision EQXX with a whooping 1,000 km electric driving range. The sleek long-distance runner also boasts a myriad of ground-breaking technologies and sustainable materials.

Exterior design 
Mercedes-Benz’s design team drew inspiration from cars like the Concept IAA and Concept C111 to create an ultra-sleek futuristic vehicle. The team also worked hand-in-hand with the aerodynamics department to make the Vision EQXX as efficient as possible. In fact the vehicle has an impressive drag coefficient of 0.17. 

The Vision EQXX’s front-end features a band of light above the gloss-black grille with rose-gold highlights flows effortlessly into the energy-efficient headlights, reminiscent of those from the EQS. Each headlight consists of two star-shaped elements, the larger one housing both the low-beam and high-beam light arrays behind a glossy center lens.

Its side profile is smooth and uncluttered. It features functional air breathers, enhanced aero mirrors, pop out door handles and 20-inch closed aero wheel covers wrapped with eco tyres co-developed with Bridgestone. The roof of the Vision EQXX is one of the vehicle’s highlights. Engineers at Mercedes-Benz fitted ultra-thin roof panels with 117 solar cells delivering an extra range of up to 25 km. 

From the rearmost pillar the Vision EQXX gets narrower for improved aerodynamics. Its rear-end boasts a U-shaped light strip and a retractable rear diffuser. 

Interior design and technology 
Inside, the Vision EQXX looks like a typical modern Mercedes-Benz. Some of the interior highlights include a large 47.5 inch 8K display with the automaker’s advanced MBUX infotainment system. Mercedes-Benz has taken the sustainable approach by using animal-free materials like 100% recycled polyester textile, 100% bamboo fiber, Deserttex sustainable cactus-based biomaterial to name a few and rose gold finishes around the air vents, and door panels.

Electric powertrain 
Mercedes-Benz collaborated with High Performance Powertrains (HPP) and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix (MGP) to engineer a highly efficient and compact electric drivetrain and lightweight battery case which will filter down to other Mercedes-EQ models. 

The battery pack in the Vision EQXX holds almost 100 kWh of energy. It has a claimed electric driving range of 1,000 km and delivers an astounding energy consumption of less than 10 kWh /100 km. The EQXX might look like its built for speed but the concept vehicle only has 150kW and a gross vehicle weight of 1,750kg. 

The production model of the Vision EQXX will compete with cars like the Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron GT and the Tesla Model S Plaid.