Embracing the paradigm shift in the automotive world that clearly favours electric vehicles (EV), Mercedes-Benz has revealed its first-ever production-ready EV christened EQC at a gala event in Stockholm, Sweden.
It is the first all-electric car under German carmaker's newly setup technology brand EQ (Electric Intelligence). The EQC is a five-seater SUV and it is based on a copiously reworked version of the GLC's platform.
Carved from the Generation EQ concept that Mercedes-Benz revealed at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, the EQC combines all the signature design bits of 'three-point star' with a twist. Mercedes-Benz claims the EQC embodies the design idiom of 'Progressive Luxury,' inside and out. The EQC has extended roofline, window layout with a low waistline and the coupe-like roof recess at the rear.
At the front, large black-panel surface enclosing the headlamps and grille adds to the class. The black panel is bordered at the top with daytime running lamps. The inner housings and tubes of the standard Multibeam LED headlamps are in high-gloss black while blue stripes on a black background will be a significant addition for the future Merc EVs.
The interior gets driver-oriented cockpit and an edgy instrument panel. A newly designed dashboard, infotainment panel, stylized ventilation units and a multi-function steering wheel featuring touchpads are upmarket in the EQC.
The electric heart
Mercedes-Benz EQC boasts an all-new drive system, thanks to the electric drivetrains at both front and rear axle. The front electric motor is optimised for best possible efficiency, while the rear one determines dynamism, according to the company.
Together, they generate an output of 402bhp of power and a maximum torque of 765Nm. The EQC can sprint from 0 to 100kph in 5.1 seconds while top speed is limited to 180kmph.
The EQC is equipped with an 80kWh lithium-ion battery serving as the power bank for both electric motors. The battery consists of 384 cells and is located in the vehicle floor, between the two axles. Mercedes-Benz claims a range of up to 450km based on the NEDC standards used in Europe. The company also claims 10 percent to 80 percent charging in 40 minutes using DC fast chargers.
The competition
While Mercedes-Benz has launched its electric SUV now, there are already some early birds like Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace. The Jaguar I-Pace boasts a claimed range of 482km while the base version of the Tesla Model X 75D has 381km range.
The Model X 75D gets 75Kwh battery pack while I-Pace has a bigger 90Kwh powerhouse. The numbers indicate that Mercedes-Benz EQC is the sweet spot between the two early bird electric SUVs.
The competition does not end there. Other two carmakers in the German trio -- BMW and Audi -- are also in the pipeline to bring their electric SUVs. Audi will soon introduce E-Tron Quattro while BMW is readying the iX3.
