LEADING THE CHARGE
MERCEDES HAS BECOME THE FIRST PREMIUM CAR MANUFACTURER TO LAUNCH A FULLY ELECTRIC VEHICLE IN INDIA. YOGENDRA PRATAP TAKES IT FOR A DRIVE
The EQC shares its wheelbase with the GLC and is only slightly longer than its sibling and a little narrower and lower, a decision that was probably taken with aerodynamics in mind. However, although they share the same underpinnings, the EQC’s resemblance to the GLC is fleeting.
While there is a standard model of the EQC, the one we got to drive was the Edition 1886. There are subtle design differences between the standard model and the 1886—badging on the front fenders as well as differences in the front grille and the alloys, which are 10-spoke 20-inch fittings with alternate black high gloss finished spokes with EQ blue lines. The proportions of the car do not suggest an electric vehicle, and that is due to the platform that it shares with an internal combustion engine vehicle.
While the exterior design may be nice, it is the interiors that are exciting, with a new layout for the dashboard, the air con vents as well as the IP and the infotainment screen. The elongated air vents are a welcome change from the small ones that are now so ubiquitous on Mercedes SUVs, while the bronze accents add class. The dual material seats with 1886 badging and golden beige stitching make for one of the more classy Mercedes cabins. Even though the interiors are electric, the space inside is not too great for the size of the vehicle. But the cabin is loaded with assistance and infotainment systems, with the latest NTG 6 MBUX system being fronted by a virtual assistant in the form of Hey Mercedes.
The paddles on the steering wheel are used not to change gears (as there are none) but to determine the levels of recuperation. All the test cycles peg the range of the vehicle on a single charge at well over 400km, but on our test drive the range was closer to 350+ km. The on-board charger supports up to 7.5kWh of AC charging while the combined charging system can handle upto 100kW of fast charging. The company claims that a typical wall outlet will take about 20 hours to charge the EQC’s battery fully from 10 per cent; a company-provided wall box will do it in 10 hours, while a 50kWh DC fast charger can do it in 90 mins.
When it comes to the drive, the EQC is sportscar quick. Throttle (or rather, pedal) response is electrifying, while all-wheel drive combined with the weight of the vehicle give it the ability to utilise the huge amounts of torque being fed to the wheels. The cabin is quiet and even the motor whine is silenced. The suspension is set up more for comfort and ride quality, and that was excellent for our drive on city roads (though the ground clearance was suspect when we went over many of the speedbreakers in the industrial township of Manesar). Now that most manufacturers have been working on electric assistance for steering for some time now it is not a surprise that the EQC is quite responsive and direct in response to steering inputs and in fact feels better than some of the Merc steering set ups that feel overly assisted. ■