Mercedes-Benz’s first proposition for the electric
SUV segment is called the EQC. It has the Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-Pace and
upcoming Audi E-Tron in its sight, sports a not-so-appealing front end, and can
be equipped with several accessories from AMG.
Most importantly, the two electric motors that power
each axle work together to produce a healthy 407 PS and 765
Nm of torque. Under heavy acceleration, Mercedes-Benz claims the
EQC needs 5.1 seconds for the 0-100 km/h sprint and has a top speed
electronically limited at 180 km/h. In the NEDC, the all-electric SUV
has an official range exceeding 450 km, courtesy of the 80 kWh
lithium-ion battery pack, though in the real world that depends a lot on your
driving style.
The EQC is not the brand’s only model to join Merc’s
electric family, as they already are already testing the EQS flagship.
Moreover, the lineup will eventually gain more members, up to the point where
they could include cars from pretty much all segments. Thus, Mercedes-Benz will
eventually say ‘yes’ to a fully electric compact, probably named the EQA,
though we doubt it will look anything like Kleber Silva’s rendering.
The artist also imagined a zero-emission version of
the X-Class, too, which he named the EQX. Mercedes hasn’t said anything about a
pickup truck, and the X-Class’ Navara underpinnings might restrict its
engineering options, but it definitely has plenty of room for batteries and
electric motors – plus, one can’t rule out anything down the road.
