Concept Cars

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS shows possible future of electrified sedan lineup

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Oct 8, 2019, 8:45 am

The Vision EQS shows the future design language of electrified Mercedes-Benz sedans.

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

We already know that the future of Mercedes-Benz is filled with electrified powertrains. Now, the German automaker has given us a better look at the future of their sedans with the Vision EQS show car.

Described as a connection between rationality and emotion, the car exemplifies the "one bow" proportions, which consumers can expect to come to life in future Mercedes vehicles. Recently revealed plans indicate that Mercedes-Benz vehicles won't just have electrified powertrains as an option in current models. In the future, the models will be purpose-built electrified vehicles.

It's not just about the exterior. The inside of the Vision EQS features design cues for the future of the car brand as well as a preview of the car's future infotainment system, dubbed the Advanced MBUX.

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS The face of the Vision EQS is very different than what is on every other vehicle on the market.Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

Its interior was influenced by yacht design and features a flowing design with sculptural elements designed to envelop the cabin occupant. The cabin features sustainable materials, including crystal white microfiber made from recycled PET bottles and native figured maple trim. There's also faux Nappa leather that is made from recycled plastic that was garnered from the oceans.

With the debut of the vehicle, Mercedes is also redoubling its commitment to well-built machines, stressing the need for self-determined driving, expert craftsmanship, expressive design, and luxurious materials. Driving, from their perspective, is about multi sensory pleasure.

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS The interior of the Vision EQS is made of a variety of recycled products.Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

All that luxury can get where it's going in a hurry. The vehicle features electric motors on its front and rear axels and a battery that has been integrated into the car's floor. It gives the car 469 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. The zippy all-wheel drive model can get from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

The show car recharges the lithium-ion battery to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes.

It rides on 24-inch multi-spoke wheels and has rear lights that are fully integrated into the car's body featuring 229 individual LED stars. The car's 360-degree lightbelt features a 188-circuit board digital LED matrix grille and digital headlamps.

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS front side wheels grille

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

The Vision EQS delivers a hint of what to expect from future Mercedes-Benz design.

Related Articles Around the Web

Trending News

Nuts & Bolts

 
 

Electric Vehicles

For Volkswagen, building EVs in the U.S. starts with engineering them in Tennessee

Production of the Volkswagen ID.4 will mark the automaker's first all-electric SUV launch. The ID.4 will have about 310 miles of range, depending on the drive package.

Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG

Volkswagen is investing heavily into electric vehicles (EVs), even in the U.S. where the models make up a smidgeon of the sales each year. The company has already begun expanding its Chattanooga, Tennessee factory to build a North American center for the engineering and assembly of EVs.

That doesn't mean that they're just working on cars. They're working on the design of the "things" that go into cars as well. Much of this will happen at the Engineering and Planning Center (EPC) in Chattanooga. Breaking ground on the center is set to happen soon with the expectation of it being fully operational by spring 2021.

Volkswagen Chattanooga plant Volkswagen is investing $800 million and adding 1,000 jobs at its Tennessee plant. Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG

The EPC will feature a unique, state-of-the-art high-voltage laboratory that is designed to develop and test electric vehicle cells and battery packs. These cells and packs are slated to be assembled in the U.S. before being inserted into vehicles.

"There are two ways that auto companies approach the development of electric vehicle batteries," said Wolfgang Maluche, Vice President of Engineering at Volkswagen of America. "A lot of them will farm out the development and testing of batteries to another company, and some will actually do the work of developing and testing in-house. We are doing the latter."

The lab will include pressure testers, explosion-rated climate chambers and – perhaps the most unique – a custom multi-axis shaker table (MAST), which is designed to test the integrity of vehicle components in some of the roughest conditions they might face on the road.

According to Volkswagen, most automotive labs have MASTs, "but almost none were designed for electric vehicle batteries". EV batteries present their own set of testing challenges because of their size and weight. They typically weight hundreds of pounds each, making them the heaviest component in an EV.

"The battery is not only shaking; it is going through a series of harsh conditions to test its durability in a variety of possible environments, from the South Pole to the Sahara," said Jason Swager, the Director of Electrical Development. "We needed to build a MAST that could withstand the immense force and frequency that we need to test these batteries."

Volkswagen describes the process:

"To run a MAST at such high frequencies, Volkswagen had to design its own tool rather than using an outside supplier. The supports for the MAST will be buried 12 feet under the lab's floor and buttressed with concrete to help withstand the forces in use. Volkswagen's new lab will be only the second location in the country with a MAST of this size."

Volkswagen is building the lab to LEED standards. "This lab was planned to be as sustainable as possible," said Maluche.

The production version of the Volkswagen ID.4 EV is expected to be revealed soon. It will be produced at the factory. The company recently celebrated the 1 millionth vehicle to roll off the line at the plant.

From Your Site Articles

Trending News

 
 

New Model News

Audi E-Tron gets a $8,900 price drop, 18 more miles of range for 2021

The Audi E-Tron is being made more affordable.

Photo courtesy of Audi AG

Longer range, cheaper price. That's the bottom line for the 2021 Audi E-Tron. The all-electric SUV was the first in the E-Tron family to debut and go on sale and the a big step toward the brand's commitment to electrifying 30 percent of its U.S. model lineup by 2025.

Though Audi has revised the model's packages and lowered pricing, it's still pretty much the same SUV. Same fascia, body lines, wheels, brakes, and battery.

About that battery ... Software adjustments have made it so that drivers can now get 222 miles of all-electric range out of the 95 kilowatt-hour battery - an increase of 18 miles. The net energy amount goes up to 86.5 kilowatt-hours, nearly three kilowatt-hours more than the 2019 model.

2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback Audi sells the E-Tron in two varieties: E-Tron SUV and E-Tron Sportback.Photo courtesy of Audi AG

The SUV retains its standard 355 horsepower (it can go up to as much as 402 horsepower with Boost Mode) and can get from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds using Boost Mode.

The all-wheel drive SUV will start at $65,900, an $8,900 dip from the starting MSRP of the 2020 Audi E-Tron. The model trim level lineup tops out at $79,100. A potential federal tax credit for purchasing an Audi E-Tron up to $7,500 may apply. There is a $1,095 destination charge.

The Premium (base) trim level is available with the Convenience Plus Package, which includes the Driver Assistance package and Black exterior trim kit. It comes standard with 20-inch five-spoke wheels; a heated steering wheel; quad-zone climate control; lane departure warning; heated front seats; a power lift gate; Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus; heated, auto-dimming, power-folding exterior mirrors with memory; Homelink; Integrated Toll Module; and comfort pre-conditioning.

The E-Tron Premium Plus grade comes standard with charge ports on both the driver and passenger side of the vehicle. It also gets the Driver Assistance Package; ambient interior lighting; heated and ventilated 12-way power-adjustable front seats; matrix-design LED headlights; 3D Bang & Olufson Sound System; and wireless device charging.

2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback The Audi E-Tron Sportback is more expensive than the traditional E-Tron SUV.Photo courtesy of Audi AG

The highest grade E-Tron Prestige adds a head-up display; individual contour front seats with massage functionality; Full Leather package; multi-color LED interior ambient lighting; dual-pane acoustic glass; an air quality system; power door closers; and rear sunshades.

The E-Tron Sportback, a sloped-roof version of the same SUV, has a higher starting price - $69,100. The E-Tron Sportback Premium Plus is $78,000 and the E-Tron Sportback Prestige is $82,300. It has an EPA-estimated range of 218 miles, has a 5.5-second zero to 60 mph time, and delivers up to 402 horsepower with Boost Mode engaged.

The standard features list for each of the E-Tron Sportback's grades is nearly identical to what is offered in the E-Tron SUV.

From Your Site Articles

Trending News