Volkswagen’s slippery new EV breaks a bunch of efficiency records
Volkswagen has unveiled the 'Mission Efficiency' prototype, an electric vehicle designed for extreme aerodynamic performance. The car recently completed a 1,278 km trip on a single charge, setting new efficiency records for its class.
Why it matters
Advancements in EV aerodynamics and energy efficiency are critical for increasing consumer adoption and reducing range anxiety.
No, that’s not a Tesla Cybercab. That’s Volkswagen’s Mission Efficiency, the world’s slipperiest electric vehicle. The near-production 2+2 seat electric coupe prototype was built on VW’s MEB+ platform, incorporating front-wheel drive components from the upcoming ID. Polo and ID. Cross models.
True to its name, the mission of Mission Efficiency is to break records. With a drag coefficient of a scant 0.158, the prototype claims to be the world’s most aerodynamic road-approved vehicle. It also claims to have broken the record for energy efficiency, consuming 6.48kWh of energy per 100 kilometers during a constant-speed (68 km/h) test-drive on flat terrain with secondary features like AC deactivated. And lastly, the Mission Efficiency is “the most economical near-production electric car in its class” thanks to its platform sharing with the ID. Polo.
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