The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX set the internet ablaze yesterday when it was revealed at CES 2022. Not only is it drop-dead gorgeous to look at and capable of 625 miles on a single charge, but it's precisely the halo Mercedes needs to showcase the full capabilities of the EQ sub-brand. In fact, we'd go so far as to say that the EQXX is what the Mercedes EQS Sedan should've been, as any S-Class type vehicle from Mercedes is meant to showcase the pinnacle of technological advancement. As it just so happens, the technology displayed in the EQXX is coming to Mercedes road cars as soon as 2024.

The first thing we'll see is the electric drive system, which is slated to enter production in 2024. This next-gen powertrain from Mercedes makes use of silicon carbides to reduce friction and improve efficiency, making the 201-horsepower electric motor 95% energy efficient. There will be multiple variants of this setup, including a dual-motor configuration with more power at the expense of range.

Powering the new motor setup is a new battery architecture that's lighter and more compact than ever before, but more energy-dense thanks to new battery chemistry. This will be charged with a new 900-volt architecture used in the EQXX that recovers nearly 190 miles of range in just 15 minutes. According to Markus Schafer, Mercedes' Chief Technology Officer, this provides "more range for the same money with the increased efficiency."

Solar panels on car roofs are something we've seen before, but the EQXX is the first Mercedes to trial it out. Utilizing a separate lithium-iron-phosphate battery to the powertrain, it stores this energy to power ancillaries like climate control, lighting, and infotainment, making the EQXX even more efficient, adding an extra 15 miles range. This too will reach production, possibly in lieu of traditional glass sunroofs, as Schafer says, "We do believe that new roofs will be needed. Glass roofs and solar roofs will be an important feature that we will offer in the future."

Unlike previous concepts like the Vision AVTR, the Vision EQXX is more than just a design study. It truly showcases Mercedes technological advancement on a new level, which once again begs the question, if the EQXX looks as much like a production car as it does and has technology ready for mass production within two years, why didn't Mercedes give us this as the true electric S-Class alternative?