The Mercedes Vision EQXX Concept shows just how extraordinarily efficient a luxurious electric vehicle can be, but according to designer Frank Stephenson, the German automaker could have made it even more aerodynamically efficient.
The incredibly-sleek concept has a Cd factor of just 0.17, better than even the Mercedes EQS’ 0.20, which currently holds the title of the lowest drag coefficient of any current production car. Mercedes-Benz placed such a large emphasis on the aerodynamics of the Vision EQXX in a bid to eke out as much range as possible without having to equip it with a massive battery pack.
One point of the design that Stephenson says could be improved relates to the wing mirrors. Interestingly, the German car company’s designers have fitted it with a set of fairly traditional wing mirrors, rather than smaller rear-facing cameras which would help to further improve the aerodynamics. The designer adds that Mercedes could have also equipped the EQXX with covers over the rear wheels.
In addition, Stephenson adds that the EQXX’s design exterior design could have been further optimized if it was equipped with less prominent door handles and would also like to tweak the front door shut line, noting that it reminds him of the Porsche Taycan.
Mercedes has equipped the EQXX with a bespoke 100 kWh battery pack that is 50 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than the 100 kWh pack of the EQS 450+. This helps to keep the car’s overall weight down to just 3,858 lbs (1,750 kg).
The German luxury carmaker hasn’t said if the EQXX will spawn a production model but many of its advanced technologies are expected to trickle down to other Mercedes models.