Mercedes-Benz EQC Lands With 400 HP, 200 Miles of Range

We’ll get the important bits out of the way first. Powering the EQC are two electric motors, one mounted at each axle, which together make 402 hp and 564 lb-ft of torque. An 80 kWh lithium-ion battery pack allows the electric luxury crossover to travel up to 200 miles on a single charge. The powerful motors enable the EV to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.9s and reach a limited top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h). The two motors are configured differently, with the front axle motor tuned for efficiency at low to medium speeds and the rear axle motor helping to add performance and sportiness.

Four drive modes will be available through the EQC’s Dynamic Select system: Comfort, Eco, Max Range, Sport and Individual. The range-boosting modes, like Eco and Max Range, enable a haptic feedback (vibration) function on the driver’s pedal, which coaches the driver on economical driving techniques so they can get the most out of a charge. Steering wheel mounted paddles also allow the driver to adjust the strength of the regenerative braking effect, with the left paddle decreasing regen and the right paddle increasing it.

Charging the 80 kWh battery pack from 10 percent to 80 percent capacity will take around 40 minutes using a 110 kW DC fast charging station. The EV also comes equipped with a 7.4 kW water-cooled AC charger for using at home and on standard public charging stations, although charging estimates for AC stations aren’t yet available. Mercedes says using a wall box charger can help to make home charging speeds up to three times faster, though.

SEE ALSO: 2019 Jaguar I-Pace Review

As for the styling, the exterior is familiar yet futuristic, reminding us of a larger, more progressive take on the Mercedes-Benz GLC. The automaker calls the design an “avant garde electric look,” and says it’s indicative of how all of its EQ-branded electric vehicles will appear. Customers can choose to enhance the exterior appearance with an optional AMG Line Exterior package, which adds a different grille, different front and rear fascias and AMG wheels.

The interior is typical Mercedes-Benz, with the automaker’s new MBUX touchscreen infotainment system sitting front-and-center. The system is mostly the same as it is on other new products from the brand, but it does feature some EQ-specific functions. These include range, energy flow and charge status displays, along with an EQ navigation that shows nearby charging points and helps you plan your trip so you’re never left stranded. Occupants can also use voice commands to get pertinent trip info like “where is the next charging station?” or “how much charge do I have left?” for example.

Additionally, a pre-entry climate control function is controlled via the MBUX system or the Mercedes Me connect app. This allows the user to set a departure time and desired interior temperature for an upcoming journey. The vehicle will then automatically pre-heat or pre-cool the cabin to that temperature in time for the planned trip.

An AMG Line Interior package will also be available from launch, which adds a three-spoke AMG steering wheel, an AMG pedal set, AMG sport seats with microfiber suede inserts, carbon-look trim and AMG floor mats.

SEE ALSO: Audi e-tron: 0-60 MPH in Less Than 6 Seconds, 248 Miles of Range

Finally, there’s the active safety systems and semi-autonomous driving modes. The EQC is available with a semi-autonomous Driving Assistance Package, which adds predictive speed adjustment, active distance assist, active brake assist, as well as
evasive steering assist and Pre-Safe-Plus collision avoidance. Mercedes says the system is able to navigate bends at speeds of up to 80 mph, operate in stop-and-go-traffic and maintain the correct distance from the vehicle ahead. Base model EQCs will also feature an active brake assist system that can automatically brake if an inevitable collision with a car, object, pedestrian or cyclist is detected.

Pricing for the Mercedes-Benz EQC has yet to be announced. Mercedes specifically mentioned that it will be aimed at vehicles like the Jaguar I-Pace and upcoming Audi E-Tron, though, so we’re expecting a starting price somewhere between $80,000 and $120,000.

Stay tuned for more information on the new EQC electric crossover as its European on-sale date, slated for mid-2019, nears.

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