Mercedes-Benz achieved yet another significant milestone in the fast-evolving story of electric mobility with the VISION EQXX making a record-breaking road trip from Riyadh to Dubai. Completed on a single charge, the epic 1,010km journey cements Mercedes-Benz’s reputation as a leader in automotive innovation and a pivotal player in the future of electric driving.
Making the impressive journey in just over 14 hours, this was the third 1,000+ kilometre journey for the stunning concept car and the first to take place in the Middle East. Traveling through city streets and on desert roads from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates, the pioneering VISION EQXX delivered extraordinary efficiency and electric power consumption of 7.4 kWh/100km, beating its own previous record. The astonishing achievement from the most efficient Mercedes-Benz ever is equivalent of around 0.9 l/100km for a petrol-fuelled vehicle. Crucially, the luxurious VISION EQXX still had 309 kilometres of range left when it arrived in Dubai.
After two previous successful 1,000+km road trips in Europe in 2022, this latest exercise tested the VISION EQXX’s performance under extreme desert conditions. The car’s intelligent thermal management system ensured the air conditioning was fully operational during the trip with minimal negative impact on energy efficiency, resulting in a cabin and electric drivetrain that kept cool.
The desert sun also provided Mercedes-Benz engineers with detailed data relating to the car’s solar roof, which is fitted with 117 solar cells. Harvesting 1.8 kWh of solar energy added around 24 kilometres to the car’s range and improved its overall efficiency. On the road, valuable data provided by the car’s intelligent efficiency assistant maximised the car’s energy. Upon advice from the tech system, the drivers adapted their driving style such as how to cope with crosswinds along the coast of the UAE by adjusting their speed.
As well as its advanced technology, the VISION EQXX’s record-breaking journey to Dubai allowed the Middle East public to admire the car’s beautiful lines. Sleek and compact, yet dynamic and muscular, the electric prototype car is further proof of Mercedes-Benz’s ability to create luxurious cars with unmatched elegance inside and out. Coupled with advanced and accessible technology that connects car and driver, Mercedes-Benz is once again leading the way in electric driving and pushing the boundaries in the wider automotive industry.
Speaking of the road trip from Riyadh to Dubai, Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, remarked, “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.”
Michael Stroband, CEO & President of Mercedes-Benz Cars Middle East, underlined the significance of the achievement by calling it “a transformative journey for the Middle East.” He added, “The groundbreaking drive not only symbolises our commitment to shaping the future of mobility but also fills me with immense pride that this record was achieved in the region. We’re setting new benchmarks and reinforcing our technology leadership in electric mobility.”
As the Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX blazes a trail from Riyadh to Dubai, it not only foreshadows the cutting edge technology driving the future of electric vehicles, but also highlights the limitless potential for innovation in sustainable mobility. This record-breaking journey symbolises the shift towards greener, cleaner transportation, where performance, efficiency, and automotive beauty fuse as one.