Mercedes-Benz EQC undergoes summer testing in Spain ahead of production

2019 will see the market launch of the EQC, the first fully battery-electric Mercedes-Benz production model from the new product and technology brand EQ. On the road to series production, prototypes are now being summer tested in Spain. This follows the winter tests held in March this year.  

Before a new Mercedes-Benz model goes into production, it needs to pass a series of tough and thorough tests: in addition to the winter testing in northern Sweden, there are summer tests in southern Europe and the USA as well as worldwide endurance road tests.

Following the successful winter trials, the EQC is required to absolve an extensive test programme in the burning summer heat with temperatures of up to 50deg Celsius. Particular attention is given to aspects which are very demanding for electric cars – air-conditioning and charging, as well as cooling the battery, drive system and control units in extreme heat. Naturally classical criteria such as driving dynamics and ride comfort are also subjected to further, stringent tests.

"With the finishing straight in sight, we are now able to absolve another extremely demanding test programme with our pre-series vehicles," says Michael Kelz, chief engineer for the EQC. "But after successfully completed endurance tests in winter at minus 35 degrees C, we are confident that the heat trials will confirm that we are well on schedule for the start of series production."

Particular attention is given to aspects which are very demanding for electric cars – air-conditioning and charging, as well as cooling the battery, drive system and control units in extreme heat – as also classical criteria such as driving dynamics and ride comfort.

Summer testing challenges
Challenge number one is this: the dry heat. While the battery of an electric car ‘merely’ loses power in the cold, exposure to great heat carries the risk of battery damage. Optimum management of these physical characteristics is the aim of the extreme tests in Spain. One main focus is on the battery's cooling circuit, for example: how does it cope with high power requirements? How does an almost fully charged battery respond to further charging? What influence does the heat have on operating range? Battery draining tests, i.e. test drives in which the battery is completely drained of power, are also part of the test programme.

Another aspect is air conditioning of the interior – both during a journey and beforehand, as pre-climatisation is an important comfort factor. This is when questions such as "Is the indicated time sufficient for pre-climatisation?" and "Is the calculated range correct when the temperature is taken into consideration?" are answered. Furthermore, the noise characteristics of individual components such as the air conditioning compressor in the heat are specifically examined.

Fine dust is also a particular challenge during the trials in Spain, as the test technicians want to know where this dust might be deposited in the components, and whether the sealing concept works in practice.

Different countries present different circumstances, a truism that plays a very important part in the Mercedes-Benz test programme. The key question is this: is the international operability of each individual system assured? A few examples: Are the slightly differently designed traffic signs recognised? Are toll stations reliably recognised? Are speed limits correctly detected by the camera of the assistance systems? All of these questions are also examined by the developers during their busy test weeks in Spain.

Demanding test programme 
Every Mercedes-Benz model series undergoes systematic complete-vehicle validation as part of the extensive measures in the development process. Before a new product goes into production, the complete vehicle must reach a maturity level set by the carmaker. This takes place in several stages: step one is digital preliminary design and simulation. It is followed by validation – either of individual components on dynamometers or in test vehicles. This tests and validates, for example, the durability of a powertrain connection or of individual axle parts.

Totally digital: Digital testing covers all key areas of vehicle development: from the simulation and verification of buildability to crash, aerodynamic, ride & handling), NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) and weight tests plus fuel consumption and operating range.

From computer screen to dynamometer and onto the road: Despite all the advantages of digital testing in terms of speed, data availability and efficiency – no vehicle goes into series production without extensive real-world testing. The focus is on the long-term durability of components such as major assemblies on the dynamometer, and functional testing of the complete vehicle under different climatic conditions on the roads. In the case of the EQC, of course, special attention is paid to the electric powertrain and the battery. They too are tested and approved in accordance with Mercedes-Benz's extremely strict standards.

One-third/two-thirds: With a ratio of 35% to 65% between digital testing and real-world testing, Mercedes-Benz combines the best of both worlds in the interests of its legendary, high quality standards.

Everything a question of proportion: A special role is also played by the acoustics of an electric car. Unlike in a combustion-engined car, there is hardly a sound from the powertrain. This makes sounds such as the rolling of the tyres or wind noise more prominent. Where these requirements are concerned, the engineers benefit from their long experience in NVH testing.

Almost 200: This is how many prototypes and pre-series vehicles are built for the test programme.

Several hundred: Before being released for production, the vehicle must be tested and validated by numerous individuals from many different development departments. A total of several hundred experts are involved in testing. From the specialist departments, which approve their components and modules, through to testing/endurance testing of the complete vehicle.

Around four years: in the case of the EQC, the overall development time is around four years.

Three winters and three summers: Over three winters and three summers, the EQC is subjected to extreme conditions from minus 35deg to plus 50deg Celsius.

A true cosmopolitan: Before coming to market in many countries around the world, the EQC will have undergone extensive testing in Germany, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Dubai, South Africa, the USA and China.