Mercedes‘s EQ range of fully electric
vehicles is slowly taking shape, despite the carmaker having only unveiled one
model so far. The rest of them are still undergoing tests while heavily
camouflaged, like this mystery prototype spotted by our photographers. We know
to expect the EQA and EQB pairing, the mid-size EQE, a large EQS model and now,
we’re looking at something completely new here. It’s somewhat shaped like an
MPV, which is both interesting and odd at the same time.
Well, seen as how all the aforementioned
models are based on Mercedes‘ fully electric EVA II platform and the
already-available EQC still uses GLC underpinnings, some are claiming that this
could actually be sort of an EQC II, replacing its pioneering sibling.
This both makes sense and doesn’t at the
same time. For starters, why would Mercedes willingly jump out of such a
lucrative segment as the one where the EQC currently resides? Compact EV
crossovers are about to take over a variety of global markets and sending out
some type of smaller R-Class type of EV against the likes of the Audi e-tron,
BMW iX3 or the Tesla Model Y doesn’t sound too smart.
On the other hand, replacing the current
EQC with something based on a more modern architecture would lead to
improvements in performance and range. Then again, the EQC barely came out and
pulling it would be a disaster. Perhaps this model will be sold alongside its
crossover-shaped sibling, kind of like how Audi does with the e-tron and e-tron
Sportback. This seems more plausible.
Visually, it’s hard to miss the EQ-style
grille and door-mounted mirrors (like on the EQE and EQS), while the prototype’s
overall dimensions do appear relatively compact – maybe it’s a tiny bit longer
than the EQC. While there isn’t much else to deduce here, expect to see the
latest in terms of MBUX on-board software, while its electric drivetrain will
surely offer better range than the EQC, since that’s how progress usually
works.
