Mercedes Vision EQXX Electric Sedan Concept Promises a Whopping 620 Miles of Range

• Mercedes-Benz debuted an all-new electric car concept that will go 620 miles on a charge.

• The Vision EQXX uses a number of efficiencies to achieve that figure.

• The debut was to have happened at CES but Mercedes pulled out of the tech show.

Calling it “the most efficient Mercedes-Benz ever built,” MB pulled the virtual cover off its newest wind-slippery luxury sedan concept it claims will go 1000 kilometers on a charge, or 620 miles. Even though that figure is for the normally optimistic European WLTP cycle, it should still be impressive once it’s run through our US-standard SAE mileage cycle.

Those 1000 kilometers (620 miles) were achieved on public roads, too, Mercedes said, not on some hyperbaric closed course.

Through various innovations and efficiencies, Mercedes says the EQXX will squeeze six miles from every kWh, an extraordinary achievement if true. Efficiencies range from a drag coefficient of 0.17 to ultra-low-rolling-resistance tires, lightweight aluminum alloy brakes, a lightweight “F1” subframe, and even ultra-thin solar panels on the roof that add 15.5 miles range by themselves.

The concept car was set to debut at CES in Las Vegas today, but after Mercedes and other carmakers pulled out of that tech show, the decision was made to post the reveal online, which is what you see here.

“The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX... answers the progressive demands of a modern generation of customers for and emotionality through innovation,” Mercedes said, not even batting an eye at the invention of the word emotionality. “Part of a far-reaching technology program, this software-defined research prototype was engineered by women and men with the creativity, ingenuity, and determination to deliver one of the planet’s most efficient cars—in every respect. They did so using the latest digital technology, the agility of a start-up and the speed of Formula 1.”

The lithium-iron-phosphate battery will be less than 100 kWh, Mercedes claims, meaning the car gets 100 miles more range with more than 20 kWh less battery than the recently acclaimed Lucid Air that manages 520 miles out of its 120-kWh battery. Even the new Mercedes EQS 450+ gets “only” 350 miles EPA range. (Just for comparison, I myself got about 417 miles range in an EQS 450+ without really trying.)

For comparison, the EQXX’s super-slippery 0.17 coefficient of drag falls somewhere between that of a penguin (0.05) and an American football (0.18). The whole EQXX you see here is said to weigh around 3850 pounds.

“The VISION EQXX demonstrates that (more electric mobility with less waste) is all within reach in a real-world vehicle that pushes the envelope on all fronts,” Mercedes said. “It gives Mercedes-Benz customers a clear insight into what premium efficiency for the electric and digital era looks like and feels like. Beautiful design and intuitive operation enhanced by advanced digital technologies deliver sustainable, long-haul electric mobility that has Mercedes-Benz written all over it.”

The 150-kW (201-hp) drivetrain achieves its performance while maintaining 95-percent efficiency, MB says.

“That means up to 95% of the energy from the battery ends up at the wheels—pure and simple. Compare that to just 30% from even the most efficient ICE drivetrain or around 50% from an average (human) long-distance runner.”

Mercedes worked with its own Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth, UK, to redesign the drivetrain and reduce typical system losses.

“We worked on every part of the system to reduce energy consumption and losses through system design, material selection, lubrication and heat management,” said Eva Greiner, chief engineer of the electric drive system at Mercedes-Benz.

The electric drive unit in the Vision EQXX features a new generation of silicon carbides and runs on an unprecedented 900 volts of power. Other efficiencies include a rear track two inches narrower than the front, as well as unique aerodynamics to keep the airflow stuck to the front wheels.

Inside are door pulls made from Biosteel fiber, vegan leather mycelium fabric, Deserttex sustainable cactus-based biomaterial, as well as carpets made from 100-percent bamboo fiber.

The chassis is made of MS1500 ultra-high strength martensitic steel; the doors are carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.

It’s all pretty impressive. Now let’s see how much of it makes its way into a production car.