With every automaker switching for the cleaner future, this time it’s Mercedes-Benz which has revealed its first all-electric SUV called EQC. The EQC is the first of EQ range vehicle from Mercedes-Benz before 2025. The EQC is heavily based on standard GLC which is a five-seater SUV. The design is inspired from the EQ Concept model first shown in 2016.
The EQC retains the design of the concept version but gets minor changes in the front section. EQC is longer by 105mm and has a massive 500 litres of luggage space which is 79 litres more than GLC. The GLC’s upgraded cabin is shared as EQC’s dashboard. The new cabin includes an updated design along with a digital infotainment panel. The steering wheel now houses touch panels and multifunction keys.
The EQC gets an all-new drivetrain which is solely developed for all EQ range of vehicles. The EQC gets two motors which are differently configured. The motor for the front wheels is efficiently tuned for low to mid load range and the motor for rear wheels is biased towards performance, giving emphasis on mid to high load range. The combined motors give an output of 407 HP and 765 Nm of torque. Even after a kerb weight of 2425 kgs the EQC sprints to 100 km/hr from standstill in just 5.1 seconds. However, the top speed is limited to 180 km/hr.
The power to motors will be provided by an 80 kWh lithium-ion battery which weighs 650 kgs. The real-world range of EQC will be around 320 kms. The 7.4 kW onboard charger allows AC charging from the public charging station and regular mains. Whereas DC charging on EQC takes 40 minutes to charge up to eighty percent. The EQC will be manufactured at Mercedes’ Bremen plant in Germany along with a joint-venture factory in Beijing, China. The expected price will be around Rs. 62 lakhs excluding taxes and import duties. The delivery of right-hand drive EQC’s will start during the third quarter of 2019, however the EQC will not make its way to Indian shores anytime soon.
