Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX nets 1,202 km on one charge

MANILA: The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX surpasses its own efficiency record in real-world driving with another 1,000+ km of travel on a single battery charge. The research vehicle reached an even higher standard with a 1,202-km road trip from Stuttgart, Germany to Silverstone, UK after its first record-breaking drive from Stuttgart to Cassis, France last April.

After navigating an autobahn closure and requesting a cross-country diversion near Stuttgart, the Vision EQXX passed the French border at Strasbourg, then traveled at highway speeds through northern France to Calais, where it boarded the Eurotunnel. It traveled on the M25 around London as it continued through the UK before stopping at the Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix in Brackley. The Formula 1 and Formula E experts who worked on the new drivetrain were standing by to welcome it. The Vision EQXX proceeded on to Silverstone, where special guest driver Nyck de Vries greeted it. The Dutchman, a member of the Mercedes-EQ Formula E team, decided to push the research vehicle on the renowned British racetrack to its top speed of 87 mph. He made the most of the situation by finishing 11 laps while still using the last of the charge on the pit lane. The Vision EQXX used its cutting-edge thermal management system during the trip to maintain an average consumption of 8.3 kWh/100 km despite the heavy traffic and summer heat.

Aside from showing the effectiveness of Mercedes-Benz electric efficiency technologies in a variety of real-life traffic circumstances, the Vision EQXX's long road trips give R&D experts crucial information for the ongoing development program.

“The journey continues – even further, even more efficient! Yet again, the Vision EQXX has proven that it can easily cover more than 1,000 km on a single battery charge, this time faced with a whole different set of real- world conditions. As Mercedes-Benz strives to go all-electric by 2030 wherever market conditions allow, it is important to show to the world what can be achieved in real terms through a combination of cutting-edge technology, teamwork and determination,” Mercedes-Benz Group AG Chief Technology Officer Markus Schafer stated.

The Vision EQXX's success was proven last April. It traveled 1,008 km on a record-breaking first road trip from Stuttgart to Cassis on the French Mediterranean coast. It completed the journey with energy consumption of 8.7 kWh/100 km and an estimated range of 140 km on arrival, with temperatures ranging from a frigid 37.4 degrees Fahrenheit to a warmer, spring-like 64 degrees Fahrenheit. The engineering team is conducting a series of road trips to test the technology underlying the Vision EQXX under various circumstances in order to showcase true real-world capability and advance the development process.

This time, the route profile did not include cooler temperatures or the strenuous energy use and recuperation conditions that the Alps typically offer. Summer temperatures of up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit and increasing traffic density in Stuttgart and the southeast of England posed the most problems on the trip. Because of its cutting-edge thermal management system, the Vision EQXX maintained its composure the entire time.

The electric drive unit produces very minimal waste heat due to its outstanding efficiency. As a result, the thermal management system can remain incredibly compact and light. The electric drive unit maintains the most effective temperature balance at the lowest possible energy cost, thanks to the precisely developed interaction of aero-shutters, coolant valves, and pumps. It consists of a combination of innovative air-flow management and a cooling plate installed in the vehicle floor, allowing it to take advantage of the air flowing along the underside of the Vision EQXX. This is the most aerodynamically effective way to keep the electric drive unit cool under normal conditions, enabling an increase in range of about 2% in the most aerodynamic mode.

Because of the high ambient temperatures and stop-and-go highway traffic, the electric drivetrain and passenger cabin have to be cooled.  The on-demand cooling system, however, handled everything without any discernible effects on range. The Vision EQXX's multi-source heat pump looked impressive in keeping the cabin cool during the hot summer. Even though the air-conditioning was on for just over eight hours of the 14 hours and 30 minutes of travel, it barely made a negative impact on the overall amount of energy consumed.

On the final stretch to Silverstone, the Vision EQXX visited the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team's headquarters in Brackley, about 13 km to the southwest. There, the team from Mercedes-AMG HPP and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, who were instrumental in its design, gave it a warm welcome. The Formula 1 and Formula E experts collaborated closely with the Stuttgart technical team to reduce drivetrain system losses and create an entirely new, compact, and lightweight battery pack.

HPP Advanced Technology Director Adam Allsopp took the wheel for the last leg to Silverstone after a driver change. He was aware of the value of the trip to the racing venue that held the inaugural Formula 1TM Grand Prix in 1950.

“Driving this beacon of the future of electric mobility to the place where the Formula 1 story began, and where we’ve seen and contributed to some iconic Formula 1 races is personally very special. Completing the journey from Stuttgart to Silverstone on a single charge with even greater efficiency really evidences some great progress in accelerating the technologies underpinning our electrification strategy. The contribution made over the years by motorsports at Mercedes-Benz is significant and it makes us very proud,” Allsopp said.

de Vries was standing at the track to welcome the Vision EQXX. He has a lot of experience extracting every last bit of efficiency from a cutting-edge electric drivetrain, with his four victories in Formula E over the last two seasons. He did not take it easy on the Vision EQXX, though, pushing it up to its maximum limited speed of 140 kph whenever he had the chance on the fabled tarmac.

“The Vision EQXX was a true pleasure to drive. I know what this team is capable of, and it was a real honor to drive such an amazing car on such a historic track. I can tell you that the interior is definitely a lot more luxurious than the cockpit of a Formula E car,” de Vries stated.

The Vision EQXX then traveled 33 km to HPP headquarters in Brixworth for an overnight stop, refresh, and full recharge in anticipation for its next trip this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Vision EQXX will participate in the legendary hill climb at the renowned celebration of historic motorsports with other Mercedes icons of the past, present, and future.

The Vision EQXX has proven to be the most efficient Mercedes ever produced after completing two successful 1,000+ km road trips. But that is not where the story ends. Many Vision EQXX technologies are still being developed for use in upcoming series-production vehicles.

Photos from Mercedes-Benz

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