STUTTGART, Germany — In designing the highly efficient Vision EQXX electric concept vehicle, Mercedes-Benz A.G. engineers evaluated the contribution of every component, including the tires.
That attention to detail led the engineers to consider and select a version of Bridgestone Corp.'s Turanzo Eco tire line as the tire fitment, citing the product's ultra-low rolling resistance, low weight and aerodynamics as reasons for their choice.
With an energy consumption of less than 10 kWh per 62 miles, the concept vehicle has a range of more than 620 miles on a single charge using a battery that would fit even into a compact vehicle.
"Rethinking the fundamentals from the ground up," the company said it designed the vehicle with an advanced electric drivetrain, lightweight engineering, sustainable materials and innovative, intelligent software.
Among many listed features on the Vision EQXX, Mercedes-Benz highlighted the role of the Bridgestone wheel and tire technologies, which are optimized for rolling resistance and aerodynamics.
Working with the tire maker, Mercedes-Benz said its engineers "took advantage of Bridgestone's Turanza Eco tire combined with lightweight and environmentally friendly Enliten and ologic technology enabling ultra-low rolling resistance."
The tire design, it noted, also features "aerodynamically optimized sidewalls" to match the covers mounted on the 20-inch, lightweight, forged-magnesium wheels. Mercedes credits the vehicle's exterior design and aerodynamics, which achieve a benchmark drag coefficient of 0.17, for helping improve the EQXX's efficiency and range.
"The technology program behind the Vision EQXX will define and enable future Mercedes-Benz models and features," Markus Schaefer, member of the board of management of Daimler A.G. and Mercedes-Benz A.G., said.
"And the way we developed it is as revolutionary as the vehicle itself," Schaefer added. "Vision EQXX has seen the best minds from our R&D centers work together with engineers from our Formula 1 and Formula E programs.
"We are challenging current development processes with innovative spirit and outside-the-box thinking. This truly is the way forward."
