Arriving in the United States in 2020, the Mercedes-Benz EQC isn’t your average GLC with two electric motors instead of an internal combustion engine. The coupe-inspired styling, aerodynamic-focused design, and A-Class dashboard layout are enough to understand how different the two compact crossover utility vehicles are.
Mounted in the middle of each axle, the electric motors develop a combined output of 300 kW. Make that 407 PS for Europeans and 402 horsepower over in the U.S. of A., along with 765 Nm (564 pound-feet) of torque. Zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 5.1 seconds, and at full potential, the EQC is much obliged to roam on the Autobahn at 180 km/h (111 mph).
Integrated into the floor, the 80-kWh battery feeds the powertrain for “more than 450 kilometers (280 miles)” until the cells run out of electricity. It should be mentioned the estimate is calculated according to the New European Driving Cycle, not the World Harmonized Test Procedure. Over in North America, the automaker expects the EQC to be rated in the ballpark of 200 miles by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The water-cooled onboard charger is rated at 7.4 kW, which works wonders with the Mercedes-Benz Wallbox. According to the three-pointed star from Stuttgart, charging from 10 to 80 percent takes 40 minutes with the optional charging station.
Scheduled to go into production in Bremen, Germany and at the Beijing Benz Automotive plant in China, the EQC will start rolling off the assembly line in 2019. EQ stands for Electric Intelligence according to Mercedes-Benz, though we’re not certain what that gibberish actually means. It's a jacked-up electric vehicle, alright?
“The EQC embodies the Progressive Luxury design idiom of our new EQ product and technology brand,” said Gorden Wagener, chief design officer at Daimler AG. “This creates an experience and a preview of the ‘next big thing’ to come tomorrow. With its seamless, clear design, the EQC is a pioneer for an avant-garde electric look with trailblazing design details and color highlights typical of the brand both inside and out.”
Pricing hasn’t been announced, but don’t expect this fellow to come cheap. Rivaling the likes of the Jaguar I-Pace and BMW iX3, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC could start at €80,000 without taking into account the government grant for plug-in vehicles. That pricing point would equal the 2019 Audi e-tron SUV.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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