The most efficient Mercedes-Benz ever built demonstrates even greater efficiency of 8.3 kWh/100 km and impressive thermal management on another long-distance drive.
The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX beats its own efficiency record in real-world driving with another 1,000 km+ journey on a single battery charge. Following its record-breaking maiden drive from Stuttgart to Cassis (France) in April, the research vehicle set the bar even higher, with a 1,202 km road trip from Stuttgart to Silverstone in the UK.
After negotiating an autobahn closure and demanding cross-country diversion near Stuttgart, the VISION EQXX crossed the French border near Strasbourg then cruised across northern France at highway speeds to Calais, where it boarded the Eurotunnel. Continuing its journey in the UK, it took the M25 around London then stopped off at Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix in Brackley.
The VISION EQXX then carried on to Silverstone, where it was welcomed by special guest driver Nyck de Vries. The Dutchman, who races for the Mercedes-EQ Formula E team, opted not to go easy on the research vehicle, taking it up to its maximum speed limit of 140 km/h on the iconic British race track. Making the most of the occasion, he completed 11 laps, using the last of the charge on the pit lane.
Throughout the road trip, the VISION EQXX took advantage of its innovative thermal management system to achieve an average consumption of 8.3 kWh/100 km. That makes the car almost twice as efficient as the most efficient EV you can buy today: the Tesla Model 3 RWD, which requires 15 kWh/100 km.
“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.” – Markus Schäfer, CTO Mercedes-Benz.
Elon Musk of Tesla discounts Mercedes-Benz’s achievement but saying drivers don’t need cars with 1200 km range, and that Tesla could have done that years ago but their customers rather go zero to 60 mph in 2 seconds than have a slow ass EV that can travel 746 miles on a charge.
The Vision EQXX may have twice the efficiency of a Tesla Model S Plaid, but it’s powered by a single motor that makes 5X less horsepower than the triple motor Plaid. By the time the EQXX hits 60 mph, the Plaid would have finished the quarter mile.
At the moment, the highest range EV you can buy is the Lucid Air Grand Touring. With an efficiency rating of 16 kWh/100 km and a 112 kWh battery, the Air Grand Touring can travel 516 miles (825 km) on a single charge.
