Mercedes-Benz has finally revealed the final version of the EQC, an all-electric SUV that will be the first of its new EQ line of vehicles.
The company expects to begin production of the vehicle, which has the full title of Mercedes-Benz EQC400 4MATIC, in 2019 and start selling it in the United States in 2020.
PERFORMANCE
The EQC will feature dual electric motors that will have a total output of 402 horsepower. It has an 80 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery, and its range is expected to be somewhere around 279 miles for each charge. That range estimate is according to NEDC standards, which tend to produce higher results than EPA standards.
For comparison, the Tesla Model X has a 75 kWh battery and a 238-mile range, according to EPA standards. The Jaguar I-Pace features a 90 kWh battery and will likely have a range between 220 and 240 miles. While taking into account the differences between NEDC and EPA ratings, the EQC could end up being comparable to these other vehicles.
If charging on a public DC fast charging station, the EQC’s battery will charge to between 10 and 80 percent in around 40 minutes.
The vehicle has a top speed of 112 miles per hour and can go from 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds. It also has multiple driving modes, and Mercedes-Benz says it has the driving characteristics of an all-drive vehicle.
DESIGN
The EQC has a fairly conventional compact SUV design, at least on the outside. It’s about the same size as the gas-powered Mercedes-Benz GLC and could easily blend in with other non-electric models.
It features a large grille in the front as well as a large black panel with accent lighting. Mercedes-Benz says this lighting will be a staple of its EQ lineup.
The interior of the car also features light strips and dual 10.25-inch digital displays, giving it a techy, modern feel. It also features trendy rose gold accents and optional 64-color ambient lighting.
FEATURES
Mercedes-Benz’s new all-electric vehicle comes with numerous driver assist features including lane assist, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
Its digital displays can provide you with a range of useful information and entertainment capabilities. The vehicle has a built-in navigation system that takes charging times and range into account. You can control the infotainment system via touchscreen or voice. You can even wake the system by saying “Hey, Mercedes.”
Owners of the vehicles will also be able to program climate preferences via the dashboard or an app to warm or cool the interior to the desired temperature before they get inside.
ALL-IN ON ELECTRIC
Mercedes hasn’t announced a price yet, but it’s expected to be close to comparable models from other manufacturers such as the Jaguar I-Pace, which goes a base price of $69,500.
With the unveiling of the EQC, Mercedes-Benz has solidified its commitment to going electric. The EQC shows a real desire to compete with other manufacturers of electric SUVs, while still staying true to the Mercedes-Benz brand.
The EQC is just the first of the company’s EQ lineup, in which Mercedes-Benz says it has invested the equivalent of more than $11.5 billion. We’ll get to know the EQC better when it goes on sale in 2020, but we can expect more than just this one model from Mercedes-Benz.
Photo Credit: Mercedes-Benz
