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Mercedes-Benz EQC Electric Crossover Unveiled in Stockholm
The Mercedes-Benz EQC is out as its maker just unveiled the electric crossover in its EQC400 4MATIC guise. The launch of the first fully-electric vehicle from the Mercedes EQ sub-brand happened on September 4, 2018, in Stockholm, Germany.
According to Daimler, the Mercedes-Benz EQC400 4MATIC will go on sale in the US in 2020. So what makes it very special? Here’s a rundown of the key features of the EQC EV:
Powertrain
The Mercedes-Benz EQC400 4MATIC is powered by two asynchronous electric motors. The units have a combined output of 402 hp and 564 lb-ft of torque going to all four wheels. The top speed of the EV is electronically limited to 112 mph, and it can accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds.
The EQC400 4MATIC has an electric range of 200 miles at full charge. That’s 100 miles less than the promised range of its concept.
The lithium-ion battery of the EV can store up to 80 kWh. Using a DC fast charger, Mercedes claimed that it only takes 40 minutes to juice up the power of the battery pack from 10 to 80 percent.
Styling
The Mercedes-Benz EQC is classified as a crossover SUV. Shades of the Mercedes-Benz GLC and GLC Coupe can be seen in its design. However, the new EV adopts the new “Progressive Luxury” design language of its maker, which has cleaner and smoother surfaces with well-sculpted panels that are free of the sharp body lines present in the current Mercedes SUVs.
The electric crossover gets rid of the typical roof rails found in modern SUVs in order to maintain its clean look. Meanwhile, going around the vehicle reveals a coupe-like ridge on its roofing that certainly adds to its appeal.
Moreover, the EQC introduces an LED band on top of its radiator grille that also bridges the DRLs and the LED headlamps. A red LED strip running across the liftgate and connecting the taillights can be found on its rear too.
Further adding to its beauty is the set of wheels with blue spokes and rims. The wheels are available in sizes ranging from 19 to 21 inches.
Interior and Tech
The interior of the Mercedes-Benz EQC mirrors the same level of luxury and tech found in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan. Rose gold accents adorn the cabin of the auto while its comfort elements are boosted by its heated leather seats.
The main attraction in the EQC is its twin digital displays. Each screen measures 10.25 inches and joined by a single glass cover. The infotainment system of the EV uses the Mercedes-Benz User Experience or MBUX interface.
In a nutshell, MBUX functions like Siri or Alexa. It carries an artificial intelligence that can recognize and process voice commands. It takes note of the preferences of its user too.
Mercedes-Benz EQC Photos
Feast your eyes on the official photos of the Mercedes-Benz EQC in the gallery below:
Mercedes-Benz EQC Electric Car To Be Revealed on September 4 at 6PM UK Time
Mercedes-Benz is set to unveil its highly-anticipated Mercedes-Benz EQC all-electric car in a grand event in Stockholm at 6PM UK time on Tuesday. Though it won’t go on sale until next year, the German automaker is hoping to wow the industry with its foray into the all-electric realm.
The EQC is a battery electric operated vehicle that signals the first model from EQ, Daimler-owned Mercedes’ new product and technology brand. The company has not released full images of the production version of the vehicle ahead of the launch. There are a number of concepts released in the past and several teaser images that led us to believe this is a medium-sized SUV with coupe-like styling.
Mercedes first unveiled the EQC all-electric car as a concept in a technology forum at the Paris motor show almost two years ago. Back then, the German brand said that the EQC will feature a 70kWh lithium-ion battery pack that provides a range in excess of 300 miles.
As with electric cars, the competition begins from the range capacity. The EQC with its 300-mile-plus range would put it in the competition of Elon Musk’s Tesla.
In a teaser trailer, the EQC was shown to have a rear light signature that looks like a folded staple with the front one looking like a slightly open staple. The EQC seems to have borrowed elements from the GLC at the rear.
The side profile, on the other hand, looks like a large bulky SUV with a conventional shape that could make it a rival for cars like the Tesla Model X.
The car’s large proportions and the fact that the battery will be mounted on the floor will give it plenty of room in the cabin for at least five passengers. Based on the trailer, the interior will include the new MBUX display and infotainment system.
2020 Mercedes-Benz EQ C Electric Crossover Is Nearly Production-Ready
Mercedes-Benz has been very open about its plans to produce an electric vehicle and we might be seeing that in the upcoming EQ C electric crossover SUV. Spy photos showed that the electric crossover SUV has a glitzy concept, thanks in part to the interesting front fascia.
Until now, we haven’t seen a clear picture of the vehicle, but the latest spy shots showed the crossover SUV with less camouflage and body-hugging vinyl wrap.
The most interesting part about the vehicle is the front fascia, which is very different from the current styling that Mercedes-Benz does on its SUVs. The grille is upswept, unlike the frown-like shape of other recent Mercedes cars. The grille also extends all the way to the headlights, eliminating the need for a body-color section between them.
Speaking of the headlights, they are now reshaped and starts thin at the edges and sweeps downward toward the inside. It looks like the body panel will wrap around the bottom of the grille and will match the unique shape of the headlights. They will come with a contrasting color, possibly black, to put a rather unique spin to the car.
Interestingly, these are the same details shown during the unveiling of the car’s concept in 2016.
The rest of the EQ C electric crossover looks conventional and traditional. It has a profile that speaks of an internal-combustion, rear-drive car with a long nose and plenty of space between the front axle and the A-pillar. The lines on the car are smooth and curvy while the windows and the taillights would not be out of place on any other Mercedes vehicles.
The back end is quite rounded, though, almost looking like a bulbous Land Rover Velar tail. Capping the exterior design is the wheels, the design of which is based on the 2016 concept (but this one is simpler).
Inside, you’ll find the cabin wrapped in premium materials with elegance written all over it. The interior has giant dual screens for instruments and infotainment.
The Mercedes-Benz EQ C is scheduled to be on sale in 2020. Details about the powertrains remain vague for now, but it looks like it would have dual motors that produce 402 horsepower from all four wheels.
3 Changes We Should Expect From The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
We’ve got spy shots of the new 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and it looks like there will be a major redesign of its exterior and the interior. The German automaker said that sales of its flagship model, which is a big seller in China, Germany, South Korea and the United States, increased by 27.5 percent to 43,106 units for the first half of this year.
Exterior
The spy shots reveal a flattering temporary grille that’s reworked along with the front camera and Intelligent Drive sensors. There are also new bubble-shaped multibeam LED front headlights that flank the grille bits, as well as a beefier hood above it. The door handles appear longer than this year’s model. It might even follow in the footsteps of the Tesla Model S with the handles flushed inside the door.
At the back, the redesigned LED lights are hidden under the temporary units, though they are sleeker, wider, and wrapped around the upper rear panels.
Interior
Inside, there’s a big panoramic roof that lets the light inside. That dashboard has a long, one-panel flat screen while a second screen appears to be in the vertical orientation in the center console. The spy shots showed everything covered up but judging from the space, there could be enough for a 12-inch screen or something even larger.
Above that second screen is a new venting system with four rectangular vents. This replaced the rounded ones used in the last model.
Powertrain
The spy shots have yet to tell which engine is being used, but we’re sure that the car will come with either an inline-six or twin-turbo V-8 engine with electrification that will boost power and fuel economy. There might be a plug-in in the future and an all-electric range of over 30 miles should be expected as well.
More details about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC is Nearly Ready for Production
The Mercedes-Benz EQC is not having a time-off anytime soon. After enduring a harsh winter testing in Sweden, the standalone, all-electric sport utility vehicle is now being tested in the Iberian Peninsula. The test is to ensure that Mercedes is on schedule for the planned production of the unit.
According to the Global Media Site of Daimler, the EQC withstood its earlier winter testing under minus 35 degrees Celsius. This time, it is being evaluated in the very hot temperatures of the Iberian region that can go up to 50 degrees Celsius.
The rigorous summer testing aims to see the effects of extreme heat to the key components of the electric vehicle, particularly to its battery, air conditioning unit and control units. Those are in addition to the assessment of the effects of hot climate to the driving dynamics and interior comfort of the SUV.
Key Challenges Faced by the Mercedes-Benz EQC
One key challenge that Mercedes wishes to address is the cooling system of the EQC’s battery pack. Under a very cold climate, the battery only loses some of its power. However, in extreme heat, the unit risks sustaining damage.
Aside from the cooling system, the luxury car maker also wants to know how the charging system of the auto will react to the scorching weather. The process will involve completely emptying the charge of the battery too in order to further assess the effects.
Next, the test will reveal if the indicated time for pre-climatization of the EQC’s cabin is sufficient. The Mercedes engineers will pay special attention as well to the result of the punishing heat to the vehicle’s air conditioning compressor.
Lastly, the summer trials will show where fine dust tends to build-up within the components of the EV.
Mercedes-Benz EQC Official Photos
The official photos of the Mercedes-Benz EQC show the EV wrapped in heavy camouflage, which hides its key styling features. Based on the photos, the production version of the SUV does not look so different from its concept version though.
New 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE Spotted Out And About
The Mercedes-Benz GLE will soon be redesigned, probably as an answer to BMW’s launching of the newest X5. The prototype for the new-generation of Mercedes’ mid-size luxury SUV has been spotted testing and we’re here to pick it apart for new information and details.
The current-generation GLE was never a redesigned model. It was introduced back in 2016 as a model for that year, but it was really just an update of the M-Class, which was launched in 2012. This redesigned model should focus on giving the GLE a new look. It will arrive for the 2019 model year, and should be on sale starting later this year or early next year.
How did we know this test vehicle was a GLE? The size and proportions would tell you that externally. But there was also a shot of the earlier test vehicles that showed the “W167” inscription on the rear. The current-generation GLE is internally referred to as a W166, so that makes sense, right?
The prototype has very light camouflage and disguise, and it’s easy to make out a number of details such as the massive grille and the more angular headlight shape. There’s also a more rugged look for the SUV’s body, thanks to the wide wheel arches that lead to the narrow cabin. Overall, the shape is more similar to the iconic G-Class with its strong lines and aggressive styling.
Inside, the layout is quite similar to the E-Class with the dashboard featuring a host of technology such as the dual-screen design and smartphone-like screen that is the main controller for the infotainment system. Speaking of infotainment system, that would be the new MBUX system that’s in the latest A-Class.
The MHA platform will be used for the new GLE. This is related to Mercedes’ MRA platform that’s in the German automaker’s sedans and coupes. Remember that it had its debut in the GLC? There’s also going to be a redesigned GLS in the future.
Donald Trump Wants to Keep German Luxury Car Makers Out
A short Tweet from US President Donald Trump is causing a lot of panic for German luxury car companies. The outspoken leader also singled out Mercedes-Benz in his statements.
Citing German magazine WirtschaftsWoche as source, Fortune said in their translation of the news that Trump is looking to ban German cars in the American soil. Unnamed diplomatic personalities close to French President Emmanuel Macron claimed Trump told his counterpart in France that he will be maintaining his trade policy “until no Mercedes models rolled on Fifth Avenue in New York.”
Although there was a special mention of Mercedes in his statement, it was reported that the decision would also affect other German automakers like Porsche and Volkswagen (including its Audi brand).
Earlier, Trump was pushing for heavy tariffs on car imports. It should be noted that under national security laws, up to 25% levies can be imposed. That resulted in the stocks of European and Asian car makers sliding down. The Wall Street Journal traced the move back to Trump.
Saving Domestic Jobs
“There will be big news coming soon for our great American Autoworkers. After many decades of losing your jobs to other countries, you have waited long enough!” the flamboyant president posted in Twitter last May 23.
There will be big news coming soon for our great American Autoworkers. After many decades of losing your jobs to other countries, you have waited long enough!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 23, 2018
Based on the US president’s Tweet, he is keeping out the foreign players in order to boost domestic jobs. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross defended the move saying, “there is evidence suggesting that, for decades, imports from abroad have eroded our domestic auto industry.”
“When you walk down Fifth Avenue, everybody has a Mercedes-Benz parked in front of his house,” Trump said according to Wall Street Journal’s translation of the comments in Bild, another German magazine. “You were very unfair to the U.S.A. It isn’t mutual. How many Chevrolets do you see in Germany? Not many, maybe none, you don’t see anything at all over there. It’s a one-way street,” he added.
2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabin Is Made of Money
In 2020, we’re going to see a new model for the flagship sedan of Mercedes-Benz. The photos of the next Mercedes-Benz S-Class’ testing may have showed no changes on the exterior, but the cabin will likely receive a do-over that would enhance the driver and passenger experience.
Hartmut Sinkwitz, Mercedes’ director of interior design, was interviewed during the 2018 Beijing Auto Show where the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury was revealed. For the 2020 S-Class, Sinkwitz said the design for the car’s interior should place emphasis on appealing to the driver’s and the passengers’ sense of touch. This means ditching the current scroll wheel interface for the COMAND infotainment systems. It will be replaced with touchscreen and touchpad systems similar to those found in the Mercedes E-Class.
As we know, the current Mercedes are fitted with a pair of side-by-side 12.3-inch screens. That would have to change as well because Sinkwitz believes that the screens must evolve to accommodate the kind of lifestyles the passengers have. Since the S-Class is in the “executive level sedan,” there must be a new screen. While the new screen will not necessarily be sizable, it would have to provide the same kind of convenience and luxury expected from an executive’s sedan. Sinkwitz, by the way, considers huge screens for Mercedes as impersonal.
The screens would most likely mirror the same ones seen on the Ultimate Luxury concept revealed in China. The screens feature a pair of active fields displayed within a broad, horizontal glass panel. This is what would be fitted in every Mercedes luxury models from the next GLE-Class and up.
There are changes in the interior lighting, too. The current-generation S-Class has seven different ambient light colors, including five dimming levels and four dimming zones in its LED-capacitated cabin. With the E-Class, there’s 64 ambient lighting colors. The S-Class might push for more than that.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class Unveiled at the 2018 Detroit Motor Show
After much anticipation, the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class has finally been unveiled. The iconic SUV of the three-pointed star marque made its official debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show or the Detroit Motor Show.
Before the auto event in Detroit, spy shots and leaked images of the G-Class without its camo already surfaced. Therefore, we already knew many stuff about the vehicle prior to its world premiere.
The G-Class Still has that Boxy Look
Upon seeing it in the flesh in Detroit, we were able to confirm many of the features that we earlier predicted about the new G-Class. As expected, the styling of the vehicle didn’t change much since it was introduced in 1979.
The old models of the G-Wagen.
The Mercedes G-Class retained its boxy body with firm lines, sharp fenders, trapezoidal bonnet, angular corners and round headlamps. Only minor changes were introduced in its exterior such as the revised front grille, upgraded lighting system, redesigned bumpers and new wheels.
There was a slight improvement in the measurements of the auto though. According to Daimler, the new G-Class is 53 mm longer and 121 mm wider than its previous model. These translate to a more spacious interior that gives the occupants of the SUV more legroom.
It has State of the Art Interior
While not much can be said about the exterior of the G-Class, its interior involves a different story. The new model of the SUV carried some of the basic tech and styling found in the S-Class and the E-Class sedans of Mercedes.
The G-Class gets a more luxurious layout in its cockpit.
The cabin of the new Mercedes G-Class is highlighted by its twin 12.3-inch touchscreen displays. Then its instrument cluster has been updated to mirror the controls of its maker’s executive sedan cars. The comfort and visuals of the G-Class was revitalized too with its high end two-tone leather covers and chrome inserts.
Better Performance Than Its Predecessor
When it comes to performance, the Mercedes-Benz G500 trim offers a petrol-powered 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. The unit has an output of 422 hp and 610 Nm of torque. The power of the G-Class is distributed to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes revealed that the auto’s fuel consumption is at 11.1 liters per 100 kilometers while its Carbon Dioxide emission rating is at 263 grams per kilometer.
Furthermore, the off-road capabilities of the G-Class has been improved. It has 31 degrees approach angle and 30 degrees departure angle. Its maximum fording depth is at 27.5 inches (69.85 cm).
The G-Class gets an improved off-road performance.
New in the G-Class is its “G-Mode” driving mode. This can be activated when one of the SUV’s three differential locks has been released. It adjusts the damping, steering and acceleration of the vehicle accordingly during off-road trips.
Official Photos of the New Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Check out the official photos of the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class in the gallery below:
Top 3 Expectations From the New Mercedes-Benz G-Class
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class will get a redesigned model this year. The iconic SUV of the three-pointed star brand has been confirmed to make its world premiere at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week.
Last year, we have been seeing spy shots of the new G-Class under a zebra camouflage. Mercedes also released several teasers of the vehicle’s interior, and its camo-free photos were leaked a few days ago.
Based from spy shots, teasers and leaks, here are the top three things that we are expecting from the new G-Class:
1.Exterior Design
The leaked images of the Mercedes G-Class reveal that its distinct, classic, boxy styling will remain. Examining the auto closely though will show an updated design in the bumpers, grille and lighting system. The SUV looks more spacious than its predecessor too.
2. Interior Elements
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- The G-Class gets a more luxurious layout.
Major changes will be introduced in the interior of the new G-Class. Some of the tech found in the S-Class and in the E-Class cars of its maker will make their way into the SUV.
The most prominent feature its cabin is its dual display integrated in the dashboard. Then the layout of its controls have been updated for easy access of its functions.
The occupants of the auto are treated to its high-end two-tone leather surfaces as well that adorn its seats, panels and dashboard. Moreover, chrome linings highlight its knobs, handles, buttons and air vents.
3. Driving Performance
The G-Class recently completed its last leg of testing in the rugged and 1,445-meter high Schockl track. The SUV navigated its way to the demanding 5.6 km route of the mountain demonstrating its improved climbing ability, suspension and front axle design.
The new G-Class promises approach and departure angles of 31 degrees and 30 degrees, respectively with max fording depth of 27.5 inches.
Furthermore, a nine-speed automatic transmission will be carried into the G-Class. Lastly, it will introduce the “G-Mode” drive program for better off-roading experience with the vehicle.