Mercedes EV due early 2020
Phase two of MercedesBenz EQC pre-launch activity rolled out last week including confirmation of a January 2020 local arrival date and a $142,900 starting price for the all-electric SUV.
There was also confirmation of a 5-star Australasian NCAP safety rating for the EQC 400 4Matic — the first Mercedes-Benz electric production vehicle which competes against the Audi e-tron, Jaguar i-Pace and Tesla Model X. In its NCAP test, the EQC showed outstanding levels of occupant safety achieving 96 per cent for adult occupant protection and 92 per cent for child occupant protection. The comprehensive package of safety technology includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), a Lane Support System (LSS) with Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK) systems.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic is a family-size SUV and is the first fully electric vehicle to be offered for sale from EQ, the division of Mercedes-Benz established to guide the company’s transition to electric mobility. EQ will offer a range of options including electrically boosted combustion engines, plug-in hybrids and full-electric models. Mercedes-Benz New Zealand general manager Lance Bennett said New Zealand would be among the first countries in the world to launch the EQC. “The EQC changes the game in the electric vehicle market, adding a level of luxury and attention to detail that meets the exacting demands of our customers in every way,” he said.
“We’re not the first to market in the electric segment, we simply wanted to be the best. The EQC is a complete, user-friendly solution to future mobility, but it’s also a signpost to an exciting rollout of hybrid and all-electric vehicles from the EQ division over the next few years and beyond.
“New Zealanders have shown great enthusiasm as early adopters of electric vehicles, and the arrival of the EQC heralds a maturing of this segment that further prises open the door for the EQ models that will follow.”
The Mercedes-Benz EQC has been designed to deliver the benefits of owning a family-size SUV combined with easy and intuitive day-to-day operation.
Energy consumption is rated at 21.4kWh/100km and a fully charged battery provides a driving range of up to 434km (ADR). The 405-volt, 80kWh (usable) lithiumion battery forms part of the EQC’s floor, providing a low centre of gravity.
Two asynchronous 150kW electric motors generating a total of 300kW of power and 760Nm of torque. There is a single-speed, wear-and-tear package as an option when purchasing, or benefit from three-year, cappedprice servicing. All servicing and mechanical repair work may be performed at metropolitan Mercedes-Benz service centres. Any high-voltage repairs will be performed by specially trained technicians at designated EQ centres.
The EQC 400 4Matic boasts a generous standard specification. The interior features side-by-side 10.25-inch digital screens, including information displays and functions specific to the emerging EQ family of electric vehicles. The MBUX operating system allows voice-actuated control of dozens of common functions and also has the ability to ‘learn’ the driver’s habits and preferences. Also standard is the connectivity benefits of Mercedes me Connect, the smartphone-based app that allows remote engine starting and door locking/unlocking, remote checking of vehicle status, geofencing and many more functions.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC can be ordered in any of seven standard metallic paint finishes while three ‘designo’ colours — Diamond White, Hyacinth Red and Selenite Grey Magno — can be selected as an option. Open-pore black ash wood trim is standard while carbon-fibrelook trim and aluminium-look trim are no-cost options. The standard seat trim is AMG black leather, with Artico/Dinamica microfibre able to be optioned at no cost.
The optional Electric Art Line package priced at $5900 includes top-stitching in rose gold, dashboard with fine surface texture in metallic silver grey and topstitching in rose gold, the Energizing Package Plus wellness program, Air-Balance ioniser, multi-contour front seats featuring adjustable bolsters and massage function, climatised front seats, and a choice of leather finishes. The Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic will be on sale and available to view in EQ showrooms from January, with first customer deliveries to begin from early 2020.