Mercedes-Benz has revealed its production version of the EQC400 4MATIC, an all-wheel drive electric SUV capable of driving continuously for over 200 miles without stopping for more charge. The original concept SUV debuted at the Paris Motor Show nearly two years ago. Though price is not yet confirmed, production of the EQC will start in 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen, Germany.
As well as that all important super-200-mile range (now surely the yardstick to combat consumer "range anxiety"), the SUV's specs are on the whole punchy: 0-60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds and 402 horsepower - but top speed is 112 mph. Dieter Zetsche, head of Mercedes-Benz, has gone as far as to call the new car the “dawn of a new era” for the company.
Aside from the performance, as you might expect from an electric vehicle, the EQC has a number of new features. Mercedes-Benz’s excellent MBUX user interface and infotainment system is available across the two 10.25-inch digital displays in the cabin. Optional extras include a 64-colour ambient lighting system should you feel like adding some bling. Heated seats, 19-inch wheels and adaptive headlights are standard.
The EQC will be pitched squarely against the existing Tesla Model X 75D and Jaguar I-Pace, and also the coming Audi E-Tron and BMW iX3. Why is this the competition? They are not just all EVs, they are all electric SUVs - and there is a very simple reason for this. In 2015, SUVs became the world's largest automotive segment, accounting for 22.9 per cent of global light vehicle sales that year. Last year, SUVs were 36.8 per cent of the world's passenger car market. Worldwide sales of SUVs grew from five million units in 2000 to 20 million in 2015. Basically, the sector is booming, with some forecasting SUVs to hit 42 million units by 2031.
However, car manufacturers were surely worried following the "dieselgate" scandal, which started in 2015 just as this SUV boom was in full swing, as these vehicles traditionally overwhelmingly favour diesel engines. So, it actually makes complete sense for car OEMs to make their first real foray into all-electric vehicles a sports utility offering. In one move the brands are servicing the biggest and fastest growing sector in the car market and at the same time addressing the fallout from dieselgate, ridding any guilt customers may have had from continuing to favour large family transports over smaller, cleaner options.
How does Mercedes-Benz's EQC stack up against its competitors? It's at the lower end of the new standard for EV range, with the Model X 75D, I-Pace, E-Tron and iX3 all besting its mileage on a single charge. Indeed, the I-Pace and E-Tron beat the EQC by a full 50 miles in this regard - which is significant. Considering power, Mercedes-Benz has stated it will be possible to charge the 80kWh battery from 10 percent to 80 percent in 40 minutes using DC fast chargers.
The EQC is also slightly slower than the I-Pace, and has a limited top speed of 112 mph (the Model X is limited to 155 mph) - an interesting choice as many are drawn to EVs because of the speed they can produce. However, with 402hp, there is no way this SUV is going to be pedestrian.
Read more: Jaguar I-Pace long-term review: a serious everyday proposition
More competition is coming of course, including the Aston Martin DBX in 2019, a “crossover” SUV to be built at a new £200m plant in south Wales. Porsche has an all-electric crossover car on the way, too, as does Ford, Hyundai and Volkswagen. The EQC is clearly Mercedes-Benz's attempt to grab foothold in the E-SUV market before all of its competitors are also in the game.
According to Bloomberg, the global electric vehicle market as a whole is growing exponentially. It has taken some 20 years to reach 1 million total sales, but then only 18 months to double that, another eight months to hit 3 million and then just six more to get to the four million forecast for Q3 this year.
Mercedes-Benz EQC: Range: 200 miles (est) 0-60 mph: 4.9 sec Top speed: 112 mph Battery: 80kWh Horsepower: 402hp Price: TBA
Tesla Model X 75D: Range: 210 miles 0-60 mph: 4.9 sec Top speed: 155 mph Battery: 75kWh Horsepower: 518hp Price: £71,900
Jaguar I-Pace: Range: 250 miles 0-60 mph: 4.5 sec Top speed: 124 mph Battery: 90kWh **Horsepower:**394hp Price: £62,925
Audi E-Tron Quattro (concept): Range: 250 miles (est) 0-60 mph: 4.5 sec Top speed: TBA Battery: 95kWh Horsepower: 429hp Price: TBA
BMW iX3: Range: 215 miles (est) 0-60 mph: TBA Top speed: TBA Battery: 70kWh Horsepower: 270hp Price: TBA
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
