On its third long-distance road trip over 1,000+ kilometres, the VISION EQXX technology programme demonstrated that even the Arabian Desert is no obstacle to energy efficiency.
On a challenging route profile encompassing busy city streets and open desert, the pioneering test vehicle delivered electric power consumption of 7.4 kWh/100km (8.4 mi/kWh)1 .
This equates to an equivalent of around 0.9 l/100 km or 282 MPGe for a petrol-fuelled vehicle. In ambient temperatures of up to 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit), the VISION EQXX beat its own previous best by a considerable margin.
Commenting on the performance, Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer Third VISION EQXX trip tests efficiency in the Middle East, enthused: “With an exceptional consumption of just 7.4 kWh/100 km1, the VISION EQXX continues to provide valuable data for ongoing development of advanced electric efficiency technologies.
“As expected, all systems performed perfectly in the desert conditions, handling challenges such as road surface finish and temperature as well as dust with ease; further proof that electric drive is ready for global markets.”
The starting point for the efficiency drive on the Arabian Peninsula was the Mercedes-Benz Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The destination was the recently opened Mercedes-Benz Brand Center in Dubai, UAE. The route of 1,010 km (627.6 miles) was completed in a total driving time of 14 hours and 42 minutes.
Having left Riyadh at 4:15 a.m. with a full battery, the VISION EQXX still had 309 kilometres (192 miles) of range left when it arrived in Dubai at 7:57 p.m. The route incorporated urban and sub-urban sections in Riyadh and Dubai with heavy traffic as well as lengthy highway sections across the open desert.
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