This is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC, the very first fully electric crossover from Mercedes. And it looks pretty damn close to the concept.
Stylish but still slightly gaudy, as a good Mercedes should be, the EQC has two electric motors at the front- and rear-axles, which give the car a combined 402 horsepower and 564 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes says that the two drivetrains are configured differently. The front is for efficiency in the low- to medium-load range and the rear is for sportiness. It has a top speed of an electronically limited 112 mph and an estimated zero to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds.
The inside of the car will also be extremely quiet. The power packs are insulated by rubber mounts at two points: Where they connect with the subframe and where the subframe connects with the body. That should be enough to reduce extraneous noise in the cabin.
The range is where things get a little troubling, however. Mercedes estimates the EQC’s range is “up to 200 miles,” which definitely doesn’t make it nearly competitive enough against the Teslas that the German automaker is surely targeting. That figure puts it more in the crosshairs of the Hyundai Kona EV.
In terms of charging, the EQC comes with a water-cooled onboard charger with a 7.4-kW capacity, which means owners can fast charge it at home or at public charging stations. Mercedes claims that, depending on the car’s status of charge, the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in around 40 minutes.
Inside, you’ll find the now-familiar MBUX system with the massive screen. But because this is an electric car, you’ll also get electric car-optimized information, like driving modes and current remaining charge.
Mercedes says nothing about semi-autonomous functions in the EQC, but mentions that features like predictive speed adjustment when approaching traffic are included in its driver assistance package. The car is also apparently extremely structurally stable, as the battery in the floor of the car is surrounded by a stable frame, designed to absorb impact. Crumple zones have been designed between the frame and the battery in case of side impact. There’s also a battery guard in the front that helps protect the battery from road debris.
What’s additionally puzzling is that the car doesn’t appear to have a frunk. Here’s a photo of it with the hood open:
What is that? What is taking up all that room? We have reached out to a Mercedes spokesperson to find out.
The car was unveiled at a presentation in Stockholm, Sweden today. It is the first of a line of electric vehicles as part of the Mercedes EQ brand. Production will begin in 2019 and the car and will go on sale in the U.S. in 2020. No word on pricing accompanied the unveiling today.
Update 4:17 p.m.: A Mercedes spokesperson responded via email, saying, “The space under the front hood is mostly comprised of electric drive system components.”
This is a breaking news post and will be updated.