Mercedes-Benz released the "Vision EQXX" concept car that hints at the future development direction of electric vehicles on the 3rd.
Developed by engineers from the Mercedes-Benz R&D Center and Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrain (HPP), the concept car has a battery capacity similar to that of existing production cars and has a pure electric range of up to 1,000 km.
The design of this concept car is based on the Design Concept of Mercedes-Benz "Sensual Purity". The lines throughout are smooth as waves, without any edges and corners, and add a point with glossy black decorations on the lower body.
Instead of increasing battery capacity, the concept car reduces body weight and enhances aerodynamics, and improves the efficiency of the electric drive system to extend the range.
Specifically, it is equipped with a 100kWh battery pack similar to the EQS of the production car, but by increasing the energy density, the volume is reduced by 50% and the weight is reduced by 30%. The small, lightweight battery is used with an ultra-efficient electric motor with an output of 150 kW (approx. 203 hp). Lightweight chassis with F1 technology and lightweight disc brakes made of aluminium are also used to prevent energy waste.
The body frame is also special, overcoming the drawbacks of heavy batteries and electric motors by boldly cutting and drilling unnecessary parts. As a result, even with a 100kW battery, the Vision EQXX weighs only 1750kg.
Silicon carbide materials for semiconductor manufacturing are used in batteries, electric motors and transmissions, which are the heart of the Vision EQXX and the heart of the 1,000 km range. In this way, the power consumption of existing batteries and electric motors is greatly reduced, and the efficiency is also the highest among existing electric vehicles, at 10 kilometers per 1 kWh.
Thermal management is another key aspect of EV design that has also been improved in various fields. In addition to the heat pump that runs the mileage-consuming heater in winter, an air-operated shutter that opens and folds according to speed, a coolant valve that maintains the appropriate temperature, and a water pump are added.
Mercedes-Benz places special emphasis on the coefficient of air resistance. The vision EQXX has an aerodynamic drag coefficient of only 0.1716 cd, which is lower than EQS (0.20 cd). In particular, the variable grille located on the front only adds a drag coefficient of 0.007cd even when opened. According to Mercedes-Benz, a range of up to 20 km can be achieved with this thermal cooling system alone.
In addition, 117 ultra-thin solar cells were installed on the roof, increasing the range by about 25 kilometers and providing energy for temperature control, lighting and infotainment systems.
Mercedes-Benz is expected to take the Vision EQXX as the starting point. By 2022, electric vehicles will be introduced in all lineups, and from 2025, three years later, all platforms will be replaced by electrification.
The ultimate goal is to fully electrify the brand by 2030. It costs 40 billion euros. In addition to developing next-generation electric vehicles, this includes dedicated platform design, battery research, charging systems, infrastructure construction, and production network expansion.