Mercedes-Benz electric four-door coupe green-lit

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed it has green-lit a four-door coupe that will draw heavy influence from its state-of-the-art all-electric Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX prototype when it goes on sale in 2024.

Mercedes-Benz design boss Robert Lesnik told UK outlet Auto Express that the production version will trade some of the Vision EQXX’s wild styling and get more conventional looks, but beneath the skin will pack a development of its futuristic powertrain.

The production EQXX will also be based on Benz’s latest EV-specific MMA platform and will measure in at around 4.7 metres long – around the same size as the combustion-driven Mercedes-Benz CLA.

Lesnik did not discuss specifics in the interview, so it’s not known if the production coupe will come with a 1000km range.

But the revelation that it will come with an updated version of the Vision EQXX powertrain suggests the new small Benz four-door will combine a new-generation lithium-ion battery pack and a 150kW e-motor.

The EQXX prototype was jointly developed with the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 team, plus Chinese giant CATL which created the advanced 100kWh battery.

It features a highly efficient energy consumption rate of 10kWh/100km and can send 95 per cent of the produced electricity to the rear wheels – a huge increase over the usual 75 per cent most EVs manage.

As well as the advanced chemistry, the battery pack is relatively light, tipping the scales at 495kg. That makes it 35 per cent lighter than equivalent batteries, while the 900V-plus powertrain allows for faster charging, although a specific charging rate hasn’t been released.

“The EQXX was a peek into the future”, said Lesnik. “It really shows what is possible, but it is of course exaggerated. There are so many details that we cannot bring into production.”

It’s thought the latter is reference to the dramatic low-slung frontal design not meeting strict pedestrian impact regulations.

Featuring an ultra-slippery 0.17Cd drag coefficient, it’s though the active aero dynamics that include moveable grille shutters and wheel covers will not make it to production. The same goes for the 50mm narrower rear track.

The production version will also miss out on the exotic (and expensive) mix of aluminium, ultra-high-strength steel, fibreglass and carbon-fibre employed on the EQXX.

Inside, the EQXX might keep the concept’s 47.5-inch widescreen infotainment system, which is a development of the Hyperscreen used in the bigger Mercedes-Benz EQE and EQS models.

Mercedes is expected to pull the drapes off the production version of the EQXX as soon as next year in the build-up to its 2024 debut.

For everything you auto know about EVs, listen to carsales' Watts Under the Bonnet: the electric car podcast

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au