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The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX research vehicle has driven 645 miles (1,202 kilometres) from Stuttgart to Silverstone on one charge, with efficiency of 8.3 kWh/100 km. The VISION EQXX even completed 11 laps at Silverstone at speeds up to its maximum of 87 mph. And that’s with a battery with an energy content of less than 100 kWh.
This latest journey has beaten the car’s previous record on a drive from Stuttgart to Cassis (France) in April. This time, the route profile didn’t come with lower temperatures nor the demanding energy usage and recuperation scenarios presented by the Alps. The main challenges on this trip were summer temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius, paired with increased traffic density around Stuttgart and in the southeast of England.
The efficiency of the VISION EQXX’s electric drive unit means it generates only minimal waste heat. This helps keep the thermal management system extremely small and lightweight. The carefully engineered interaction of aero-shutters, coolant valves and pumps ensures the electric drive unit maintains the most efficient temperature balance at minimum energy cost. It encompasses a combination of innovative air-flow management and a cooling plate installed in the vehicle floor, enabling it to take advantage of the air flowing along the underside of the VISION EQXX. This is the most aerodynamically efficient way of keeping the electric drive unit cool under normal conditions, allowing an increase in range of around two percent in the most aerodynamic mode.
The multi-source heat pump in the VISION EQXX proved highly efficient at keeping the cabin temperature cool in the warm summer weather. During the 14 hours and 30 minutes of driving time, the air conditioning was operational for just over eight hours, yet had a minimal negative impact on overall energy consumption.
Mercedes-AMG HPP and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix played a pivotal role in the car’s design, working with the engineering team in Stuttgart to slash system losses in the drivetrain and develop a completely new compact and lightweight battery pack.
