The Mercedes-Benz
Concept EQV and the CLA Shooting Brake headline the automaker’s presence at
next month’s Geneva Motor Show. The company has announced the full lineup for
the 89th edition of the Swiss auto show and there’s a lot to talk about. For
starters, the Concept EQV is described as “the world’s first SUV in the premium
segment with purely battery-electric drive.”
Anyway, Mercedes
says the EQV study is a near-series concept vehicle that combines “locally
emission-free mobility with impressive performance, maximum functionality and
aesthetic design.” Unless the press release mistakenly describes the EQV as an
SUV instead of an MPV, we should be in for a
big surprise.
Judging by the
study’s name, one would be inclined to think it’s an all-electric version of
the V-Class. The mystery will no doubt be solved on March 5 when the press
conference is scheduled. Since we’ve mentioned the V-Class, the people-carrier
will receive its mid-cycle facelift in Geneva, bringing a revised front end
design, the new OM 654 four-cylinder diesel with up to 239 PS, the
9G-Tronic automatic transmission, as well as new safety and assistance systems.
Moving on to the
rest of Mercedes’ Geneva show debuts, the list also includes the facelifted GLC
SUV which gains subtle design tweaks as well as the new MBUX multimedia
interface with gesture control, new driving assistance systems, and a revised
engine range.
The booth will also
feature three special edition models: the SL 500 Grand Edition, the SLC 300
Final Edition, and the S 65 Final Edition — with the latter marking the end for
the 6.0-liter V12 biturbo engine in the S-Class luxury sedan. Also on public
display for the first time will be Mercedes’ Formula E show car and the Smart
Forease+ concept.
