The efficiency-focused Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX concept will be revealed on January 3, 2022, Mercedes R&D boss Markus Schäfer announced in a LinkedIn post last week.
Announced in July, the Vision EQXX targets 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of real-world range on a single charge. That's about 100 miles more than the 520-mile Lucid Air Dream Edition, although the Vision EQXX is expected to be a somewhat smaller sedan with a coupe-like silhouette.
The range goal will be achieved through efficiency rather than just a large battery pack. Schäfer said that, normal highway speeds, the Vision EQXX will consume a single-digit kwh of energy for every 62 miles driven.
The Vision EQXX is an "interdisciplinary" effort involving different Mercedes divisions, including the automaker's Formula One powertrain division, Schäfer said.
![Teaser for Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX debuting on January 3, 2022 Teaser for Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX debuting on January 3, 2022](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/teaser-for-mercedes-benz-vision-eqxx-debuting-on-january-3-2022_100817404_l.jpg)
Teaser for Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX debuting on January 3, 2022
Mercedes has already begun to emphasize efficiency and range to a greater extent with the EQS sedan, which boasts a 0.20 coefficient of drag. However, which a maximum EPA range rating of 350 miles, the EQS still trails both the Air and Tesla Model S by a significant margin.
The EQS uses battery cells from China's CATL, but Mercedes plans to spend $1.1 billion on a global network of battery production facilities. That more hands-on approach to battery production could yield additional improvements in efficiency.
Schäfer did say that the Vision EQXX will have cells with 20% greater energy density than the EQS cells. That, along with what will likely be a smaller footprint than the EQS, could help the concept achieve Mercedes' range target. Let's hope these efficiency improvements also make it into a production-bound vehicle.