Mercedes-Benz expands electric EQ family, teases Vision EQXX

The Mercedes-Benz EQ family is expanding at a rapid pace.

Not only has the company confirmed its long-rumoured EQE sedan, it also shared a prototype of an EQS SUV, announced an EQE SUV will also join the range, and teased the Vision EQXX concept with a staggering 1,200km range.

While current EQ models use modified versions of internal combustion engine platforms, the EQE sedan and SUV and EQS sedan and SUV will all use Mercedes-Benz’s new Electric Vehicle Architecture.

While heavily camouflaged, the EQE prototype (above) appears to share similar cab-forward exterior styling to the larger EQS, or what Mercedes refers to as “one-bow”, coupe-like styling.

The EQS SUV has a conventional, upright SUV silhouette and looks similar in size to the internal combustion engine-powered GLS SUV.

The EQS sedan, which has already been teased by Mercedes, will be the first of the new EVA-based models to launch when it debuts next year. It’s currently in the final stages of testing.

We’ve seen from previous spy photographs and teasers that its styling resembles that of the 2019 Vision EQS concept car, with a swoopy, cab-forward body design and a sweeping, fastback silhouette that incorporates a liftback.

Mercedes has confirmed it’ll have up to 700km of range under the stricter WLTP measures, just like the concept car. If it adheres closely to the concept in other respects, it’ll also have a 100kWh lithium-ion battery and a 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds.

Mercedes promises it’ll be just as luxurious as the S-Class, which it’ll be built alongside at the company’s Sindelfingen plant in Germany.

It’ll be one big car, too. The concept measured 5295mm long on a 3260mm wheelbase and with a total width of 2077mm, longer and wider than even a long-wheelbase S-Class.

Mercedes-Benz is aiming to have electrified vehicles, including plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles, account for more than half its sales by 2030 and to have a CO2-neutral fleet by 2039.

While the EQ range may be expanding vertically, new and more affordable models are also on their way.

The GLA-based EQA begins production this year, the GLB-based EQB follows next year, and a new platform architecture for smaller EVs is due in 2025.

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX

Mercedes-Benz is also plotting a new electric vehicle prototype that can drive from Nice to Stuttgart on one charge.

Previewed during the brand’s 2020 strategy presentation, the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX is expected to be a one-off concept which relies on incredible aerodynamic efficiency rather than shoehorning a larger battery underneath

During the preview of the new vehicle, two presentation slides read “Beijing to Shanghai on one charge?” as well as “Stuttgart to Nice on one charge?”

A quick search on Google Maps reveals a road trip from Shanghai to Beijing is 1214.3 kilometres, and would take just over 12 hours.

Stuttgart to Nice, while not quite as long a trip, is an 814-kilometre journey that would take a little over nine hours.

“We have set up a group of our engineers to take on an extraordinary task, to build the longest and highest efficiency electric car the world has ever seen,” said Markus Schafer, Mercedes-Benz R&D boss said.

“This is a serious project, chasing next generation technologies. We intend to incorporate the learning into the next generation of series production cars.”

It appears the Vision EQXX will draw inspiration from the 2015 Concept IAA plug-in hybrid revealed for the Frankfurt motor show of that year, which was a super aerodynamic four-door coupe with a drag co-efficient of just 0.19, and a slew of active aero components which allowed it to ‘transform’ on the move to maximise efficiency.

It’s unclear when Mercedes-Benz will reveal the Vision EQXX, or when we might see aspects of it hit production models, but we’re expecting a drip-feed of more details over the coming months.

Car Expert

Car Expert is an Australian-based automotive publication that brings a new and fresh perspective to the world of cars with automotive content that is as engaging as it is informative.