Record electrical efficiency: 1,202 km on a single charge

The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX is used for the development of many technologies for use in future series production vehicles.

The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX breaks its own record for driving efficiency with a further journey of more than 1,000 km on a single battery charge. After its first record trip from Stuttgart to Cassis, France, in April, the test car has raised the bar even higher with a 1,202km road trip from Stuttgart to Silverstone, UK.

After overcoming a motorway closure and a demanding cross-country connection at Stuttgart, the VISION EQXX crossed the French border at Strasbourg and then crossed northern France at high speed to Calais, where it boarded the Channel Tunnel. He continued his journey through the UK, taking the M25 around London and then stopping at the Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix in Brackley. There awaited him the Formula 1 and Formula E experts who helped develop his advanced powertrain. The VISION EQXX then left for Silverstone, where it was greeted by guest driver Nyck de Vries. The Dutchman, who participates in the Mercedes-EQ Formula E team, chose not to take it easy with the research car and reached the top speed of 140 km/h on the iconic British circuit. He took the opportunity and completed 11 laps, using the last charge in 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 in heavy traffic and summer temperatures.

The long-distance journeys of the VISION EQXX on public roads not only prove the effectiveness of the electric efficiency technologies from Mercedes-Benz in a wide range of realistic traffic scenarios, but also provide R&D experts with valuable data for the continuous development of the program.

The proof of the VISION EQXX’s success came in April of this year. On his first record-breaking road trip, he covered 1,008 kilometers from Stuttgart to Cassis on the French Mediterranean coast. With temperatures between cold 3 and spring 18 degrees Celsius, he completed that journey with an energy consumption of 8.7 kWh/100 km and a remaining range of approximately 140 kilometers. But once is not enough. To demonstrate real-world capabilities and take development to the next level, the engineering team embarks on a series of road trips to test the technology underlying the VISION EQXX in a variety of conditions.

This time, the profile of the route was not accompanied by lower temperatures or the demanding scenarios of energy consumption and recovery presented by the Alps. The biggest challenge on this trip was summer temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius, coupled with increased traffic density around Stuttgart and in the south east of England. However, the VISION EQXX stayed cool throughout the journey thanks to its innovative heat management system.

Due to the exceptional efficiency of the electric drive, it generates only minimal residual heat. This helps keep the heat management system extremely small and lightweight. The carefully designed interplay of overhead filters, cooling valves and pumps ensures that the electric drive unit maintains the most efficient temperature balance at minimum energy costs. It includes a combination of innovative airflow management and a cooling plate installed in the floor of the vehicle, allowing it to take advantage of the air flowing out of the underside of the VISION EQXX. This is the most aerodynamically efficient way to keep the electric powertrain cool under normal conditions, increasing the range in the most aerodynamic mode by about two percent.

High ambient temperatures and stop-and-go highway traffic forced the electric powertrain and passenger compartment to cool down. However, the on-demand cooling system took care of all this without significantly affecting the range. The VISION EQXX’s multi-source heat pump proved to be very efficient at keeping the cabin temperature cool in the hot summer. During the 14 hours and 30 minutes drive, the air conditioning was on for just over eight hours, but had a minimal negative impact on the overall energy consumption.

On the final stretch to Silverstone, the VISION EQXX paid a visit to the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team headquarters in Brackley, some eight miles to the south-west, where it was greeted enthusiastically by the Mercedes-AMG HPP and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix team. , which played a key role in the design. Working closely with the Stuttgart engineering team, the Formula 1 and Formula E specialists have helped to reduce system losses in the powertrain and develop an all-new, compact and lightweight battery pack.

After a driver change, Adam Allsopp, HPP’s Director of Advanced Technology, took over for the final leg to Silverstone. He did not forget the importance of the journey to the circuit where the first Formula 1 Grand Prix took place in 1950: “Drive this symbol of the future of electric mobility to where the history of Formula 1 began, and where we have seen and contributed to some iconic Formula 1 races it is very special in person Completing the journey from Stuttgart to Silverstone on a single charge and with even greater efficiency is testament to the great advances in the underlying technologies to our electrification strategy.The contribution motorsport has made to Mercedes-Benz over the years is significant and makes us very proud,” says Allsopp.

Mercedes-EQ Formula E driver Nyck de Vries was waiting on the track to receive the VISION EQXX. The 27-year-old Dutchman, who has taken four Formula E victories in the past two seasons, has a lot of experience in getting every ounce of efficiency from an advanced electric powertrain. However, it was not easy with the VISION EQXX, which took him every chance on the legendary asphalt to his top speed of 140 km/h. After 11 laps, the driver took the checkered flag and used up the last charge in the pit lane with 1,202 kilometers on the clock. “It was a real pleasure to drive the VISION EQXX. I know what this team is capable of, and it was a real honor to drive such a great car on such a historic track,” says de Vries with a smile: “And I can say that the interior is definitely much more is more luxurious than the cockpit of a Formula E car.

After the weekend trip to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, what’s the next step on the road trip to the electric future?

After a brief charge, the VISION EQXX continued on to HPP’s headquarters in Brixworth, 20 miles away, to spend the night, cool down and fully charge in preparation for its next outing. And after this journey, work continues on the development of many VISION EQXX technologies for use in future series production vehicles.

Source: La Verdad

Ida

I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.