Daimler’s new Mercedes-Benz EQC battery electric crossover has two electric motors at the front and rear axles with a combined output of 300kW and a claimed electric range of about 450km (280 miles) under NEDC measurement.
It will be recognised at night thanks to an optical fibre running across the top of the grille between the daytime running lamps to form a horizontal light band.
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Interior detailing includes a ribbed edge for the instrument panel which, Mercedes said, resembles the cooling ribs of a hi-fi amplifier.
The new EV drive system development positions compact electric drivetrains at each axle to give “the driving characteristics of an all-wheel drive”.
But the electric drivetrains are configured differently: the front electric motor is optimised for efficiency in the low to medium load range while the rear one “determines dynamism”. Total output is 300kW and maximum torque 765Nm. The vehicle is said to accelerate to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds.
Powerpacks are isolated by rubber mounts where they connect to the subframe and where subframe connects to body.
An 80 kwh lithium-ion battery supplies power and there are five driving programmes, one of which the driver can customise. In economical driving modes, a haptic accelerator pedal prompts the driver to conserve power. Paddles behind the steering wheel allow brake energy recuperation level to be set.
An ECO assist mode prompts the driver to lift off the accelerator when the vehicle is approaching a speed limit and oversees functions such as coasting and recuperation control. It links in navigation data, traffic sign recognition and information from intelligent safety assistants (radar and stereo camera).
The rest appears largely Mercedes’ take on technology already seen in other EVs/PHEVs.
The EQC has a water-cooled, 7.4kw onboard charger (OBC) suitable for AC home or public station charging. DC charging is standard and maximum charger output is 110kW. The battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in 40 minutes or so.
Navigation is optimised for an EV, interior pre-heating and cooling can be controlled automatically (and remotely), there’s on-board help finding and paying for charging and various driving assistance systems.
The launch of the EQC is seen as the first shot in return fire by German automakers against upstart startup Tesla.
BMW and Audi rivals are expected to follow.
“While Tesla currently has a strong hold on the luxury electric market, I don’t think this will be the case after the arrival of the German premium offerings,” Wajih Hossenally, an automotive powertrain analyst with IHS Markit, recently told Reuters.
“Tesla has virtually zero competition – but this will change from 2019 onwards.”
Rival forecaster LMC Automotive told the news agency it predicted a steady decline in Tesla’s slice of the electric car market over the next decade, from 12.3% now to 2.8%, though unit sales would continue to rise.
Combined German market share would pass Tesla to reach 11.8% in 2020 before increasing further to about 19% in 2023, according to LMC projections cited by Reuters.
Mercedes is, however, playing me-too catch up to Tata Motors’ Jaguar Land Rover which launched the similar Jag I-Pace earlier.
Media reports suggest EQC pricing here in the UK will be in the GBP mid-60s (currently a GBP4,500 government subsidy applies) and sales start in Europe in 2019. Mercedes’ US unit said deliveries there begin in 2020.
See also: Future vehicles – Mercedes-Benz EQ electrified models
