Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX takes shape

Mercedes-Benz has released a fresh teaser of its advanced battery-electric Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX ahead of its official unveiling on January 3, 2022.

This time around it was the turn of head of Benz R&D and Daimler board member Markus Schafer to take to LinkedIn to post our clearest look yet at the battery-powered car that's set to have a real-world range of more than 1000km.

According to Schafer, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX will be capable of returning a single-digit figure for kWh/100km at highway speeds.

Key to unlocking the efficiency gains is making the EQXX as slippery as possible to extend its range, hence the prototype's unusual hammerhead nose.

This sees the new coupe feature a small frontal area, plus a smooth body and a shallow-raked windscreen.

There's also the absence of a grille, vents and other traditional openings, although there is a pair of ducts on the bonnet.

Boosting efficiency and reducing weight are both key to its extra-long range, rather than packaging a huge battery within the prototype's svelte body.

Speaking of power, Benz is also thought to be developing new tech that can increase energy density of a battery by more than 20 per cent, compared to the lithium-ion cells used in the Mercedes-Benz EQS.

Last year, the German car-maker revealed that the EQXX would be capable of travelling from Beijing to Shanghai on a single charge, suggesting the electric coupe could have a range of at least 1207km.