Volkswagen Mission Efficiency: The Most Efficient EV Yet
With the new Mission Efficiency, Volkswagen presents the world's most efficient near-production electric car, and the prototype has set three world records that showcase exemplary aerodynamics and excellent ideal and real fuel consumption, proving Volkswagen's leadership in electric car efficiency. The vehicle stands as a beacon of technology and demonstrates the strength of Volkswagen's production technology.
Record number one: the vehicle achieves a Cd value of 0.158, a new record for road-approved cars. Record number two: it reaches a consumption of 6.48 kWh/100 km during a so-called 'ideal trip', during which the speed (in this case 68 km/h) stays constant, no uphill slopes occur, and the driver deactivates peripheral consumers such as the air conditioning system. Record number three: thanks to its aerodynamics and a highly efficient electric drive from the ID. Polo, the Mission Efficiency also claims the title of the most economical near-production electric car in its class.
On an officially documented consumption test drive covering 1,278.36 km from Volkswagen's German Development Centre in Wolfsburg via Poznań (Poland) and Olmütz (Czech Republic) to the Austrian capital Vienna, the Mission Efficiency achieved real consumption of 7.51 kWh/100 km including charging losses (6.89 kWh/100 km without charging losses). The car completed the route at an average speed of 67.72 km/h and reached a top speed of 138 km/h. The team charged the 54.9 kWh (net) battery only once during the journey, and the car arrived in Vienna with a remaining range of 164.0 km.
Based on series production technology, Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, Head of the Brand Group Core and member of the Group Board of Management, explains: “Mission Efficiency is the ideal way to demonstrate what distinguishes Volkswagen in the electric age: technology for the masses – not just for the few. Rather than using specialist technology, the vehicle set three world records using affordable production technology from the ID. Polo and ID. Cross, based on the MEB+ platform with front-wheel drive. This shows how much potential efficiency we can add to the latest generation of our electric cars. Developed in Wolfsburg and built by Kai Grünitz and his team, the Mission Efficiency is a symbol of German engineering expertise with clear customer benefits.”
The ID. Polo lends the Mission Efficiency its standard drive system, and series production supplies two of its key features: the 99 kW (135 PS) electric motor and the high-voltage battery. Kai Grünitz, Board Member Technical Development, Volkswagen Brand and Brand Group Core, says: “The new Mission Efficiency impressively demonstrates the incredible potential of the drive system in our new ID. Polo. Developed for all models based on MEB+ with front-wheel drive, the system is extremely light, very efficient and thus the ideal drive system for our record-breaking vehicle. The Wolfsburg team behind the Mission Efficiency has achieved something outstanding. On the one hand, the crew has proved that Volkswagen is one of the world's leading manufacturers in aerodynamics. On the other hand, they are also showing that you can build the most efficient car in the world using affordable, large-scale production technology.”
An aerodynamics-inspired form reduces the car's consumption. The drag coefficient (Cd = 0.158) and small frontal area (A = 2.08 m²) combine to create ground-breaking low air resistance, which forms the Mission Efficiency's central aerodynamic feature. A flow-optimised teardrop shape, small frontal area, active cooling air flaps, clad rear wheels and a fully clad underbody make up this design. The doors feature frameless windows, while the design integrates the door handles into the outer skin for optimal airflow. The overall concept pays off especially at higher speeds: from speeds above 80 km/h, the Mission Efficiency uses more than 30 per cent less energy than the standard version of the ID. Polo, and at 140 km/h it requires about as much energy as the ID. Polo does at 100 km/h.
Andreas Mindt, Chief Designer at Volkswagen, comments: “With its front end, the Mission Efficiency slots into our new family of electric vehicles, which also includes the ID. Polo and ID. Cross. The body's shape is fully committed to functionality and, therefore, the laws of aerodynamics. This has resulted in a state-of-the-art, efficient sports car in which the DNA of the legendary Volkswagen XL1 shines through.” Volkswagen introduced the XL1 in 2013 with a plug-in hybrid drive, and it held the title of the world's most economical production car at the time.
Measuring 4,775 mm long and 1,392 mm tall, the Mission Efficiency coupé offers 2+2 seats and 481 litres of luggage capacity. Additional stowage compartments under the rear seats and in the sides of the body create space for everyday items and the charging cable. Passengers can use the front interior without restriction, while the two rear seats suit passengers up to about 1.60 m; Volkswagen designed the prototype so a young family of four could theoretically use it. The body combines components of the ID. Polo with a self-supporting aluminium structure and components made from a high-strength carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and aramid composite.
Advanced braking technology also plays a role. At the front, the Mission Efficiency uses the MacPherson front axle and the hydraulic brake from the ID. Polo, while the rear features an electromechanical brake for the first time. This reduces friction losses, saves on lines and brake fluid and supports variable brake force distribution. It also further improves recuperation and increases stability while cornering. Volkswagen developed the new brake together with the international tech company AUMOVIO, which also supplies the brake system for the ID. Polo. The prototype has received EU road approval and meets the corresponding safety, strength and crash requirements.
Rolling resistance is another decisive success factor, and the wheel-and-tyre integration proves particularly interesting, since the wheels account for 25 to 30 per cent of aerodynamic resistance. Consequently, engineers put considerable effort into developing new solutions. For the front wheels, for example, they placed the wheel arch close to the tyre's radius to reduce turbulence in the wheel housing. Volkswagen also fits new, patented rim deflectors on the inside of all wheels, which prevent air from entering the rims and causing turbulence. On the visible outside of the wheels, the flat, flow-optimised hubcap design contributes to excellent aerodynamics.
The optimal tyre offers another way to reduce fuel consumption and increase the vehicle's range. Working closely with Continental, Volkswagen developed a concept tyre based on the EcoContact 7 series tyre, which delivers a rolling resistance of 4.9 kilogrammes per tonne, about 25 per cent below the threshold for the EU's best tyre label class A. Essentially, engineers optimised the sidewall and tread compound to minimise energy losses during rolling.
Solar power and a reduced interior round off the package. Volkswagen integrates a photovoltaic system with a power output of 370 W into the glass roof and boot lid, and it supplies power to the on-board electrical system's consumers; depending on the season, region and weather, it can increase the real range by up to 30 kilometres per day. In the interior, lightweight panelling, a mobile Bluetooth box that replaces the omitted speaker system and the 'Bring your own device' concept reduce the weight, as a smartphone or tablet takes the place of the infotainment system display.
