Mercedes has covered 1008 kilometers with the EQXX – with the TÜV-sealed tailgate from Sindelfingen to Cassis on the Côte d’Azur. In eleven hours and 32 minutes from Germany via Switzerland through Italy to France. Average speed 87 km/h, consumption: 8.7 kWh/100 km.
The Mercedes EQXX drives more than 1000 km at a maximum speed of 140 km/h
During the record run on April 5, 2022, it rained at 5 degrees in Stuttgart, there was a traffic jam at the Gotthard, there were many construction sites in Italy, and the sun was shining in France.
Sealed: TÜV sealed the charging port for the record attempt.
The EQS escort vehicles had to charge in between, the EQXX was not allowed. He never drove faster than 140 km/h, although he could. The top speed is over 200 km/h.
Optics: The EQXX gives a preview of upcoming EQ models
The rear is reminiscent of the IAA study from 2015. With the EQXX, however, the conclusion is solved much more elegantly. The active diffuser ensures the right pressure conditions.
Aerodynamics: With the EQXX, design came after function
However, the design department was only allowed to approach the car in the second instance. First it was the turn of the aerodynamicists. They defined many areas of the vehicle even before the visual development of the EQXX. In addition to the body, special rims and even special tires were designed, all in the service of the smoothest possible air flow.
The EQXX is trimmed for maximum aerodynamics. This is also shown by the airflow at the front.
Drive and battery: more than 1000 km electric range in the EQXX
The EQXX manages more than 1000 km with one battery charge.
Mercedes has joined forces with its cell supplier CATL and increased the silicon content in the battery cells. Coupled with other adjustments, the energy density of the batteries could be almost doubled. With a capacity of 100 kWh and a power consumption of less than 10 kWh/100 km, with this recipe the distance previously reserved for diesel vehicles seems to be within reach.
The 117 solar cells in the roof, which should provide an additional 25 km range under favorable conditions, also play a small part in this. If you roughly calculate the power consumption of the entire vehicle, the EQXX is even the first electric one-liter car.
Bionic casting: rigid construction without unnecessary material
But not only the drive or the cell chemistry allows the Mercedes study this enormous range. At around 1750 kilograms, the EQXX is also incredibly light for an electric car. The engineers at Mercedes achieve this with a new type of construction for the cast components. This is called bionic casting, and it allows the most robust component to be manufactured with as little material as possible.
In the EQXX, components developed in this way can be found in the front spring domes, the mount for the wiper motor and in the rear end construction. The technology can already be found in series production at Mercedes, but only for very small components, such as the rear mount for the seat belt retractor in the EQS.
Interior: vegan materials and the next MBUX level
Despite all the very technical innovations, the EQXX also has a particularly attractive interior in the best show car manner. It’s completely vegan here, meaning no animal-based materials are found. Instead, materials such as cactus and mushroom leather or bamboo fibers are used here.
Unlike many other concept cars, the EQXX is a real car that has to prove itself on the road.
Outlook: Autonomous driving increases comfort requirements
All of this should enable comfortable travel on a route that was previously unthinkable for electric cars. In addition to the technical components, the amenities in the interior must also be right. New demands will arise here in the future, also with a view to autonomous driving.
