Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 2019 – First from Mercedes
Mercedes first proper Electric vehicle the Mercedes EQC. Mercedes has been left behind in the EV race, as competitors like Jaguar and Audi have already stepped in and launched their EV. Jaguar with i-pace and Audi with e-Tron.
It is not like Mercedes has never stepped into electric vehicles, they produced an a-class called e-cell which was limited to only 500 units.
Let’s make this clear that Mercedes is not planning to launch it in India, due to a lack of infrastructure for electric vehicles. But if there might be some changes in the near future to the infrastructure and the market of EV in India, we can expect EQC in India. Or maybe the future Mercedes EV’s. That is still a few years to go.
Looks of EQC
EQC is paced on the GLC platform which makes the looks so similar. Though it has the hints of the electric car at first glance. Though the design is not exceptional when compared to other EV’s. The front grill makes the EQC stand out with fiber optic light strip which runs across the bonnet. The rear sleek tail light also runs across which makes the rear look good.
The space inside is not great, as it is built on the GLC platform. The rear seats are also not the strong aspect, as they are not that comfortable, unlike other mercs. That is due to the large battery pack underneath and tamping roofline. You sit pretty high like an SUV which is pretty cool. But the overall space feels okay.
Features in EQC
Electric cars are silent, but Mercedes EQC is even silent than other EV’s. Mercedes is known for its silent IC engines, but with first EV they have taken it to the next level. Mercedes has always been known for comfort and quiet cabin, and they have done it with EQC too.
There is a double screen covering the dashboard, which makes the interior look elegant. On the right screen, you see the EQ menu, which shows the charging option, energy consumption, maps, etc. The map shows direction with augmented reality and augmented reality is also used for a 360° view of your car while parking. It also has pre-defined routes for all the charging points around. It has a voice command system that is activated by saying “Mercedes”.
There are different driving modes in EQC. It has a maximum range, ECO, sport, comfort. Also multiple modes for improving the regeneration, D, D-, D–, D auto. D auto provides the best range, because it uses the radar with satellite navigation, to predict whether to use regen braking or coast the car.
Regenerative braking is put to use very efficiently. When you use Regenerative brakes you don’t have to press the brake pedal instead you use the pedal shifters in EQC. It is controlled by the pedal shifters, as there are no gears in an EV so it makes sense. While using this braking it also charges the battery, which is a good thing.
Regenerative braking is a great feature in electric cars which allows you to slow your car without even pressing the brakes. Just activate it and slowly take your foot off the accelerator pedal, the car will slow down and put the energy in the batteries.
What’s the Engine like?
Let’s talk about range first the EQC will give you around 400 KM’s on a full charge. 0-100 KMPH in 5.1 secs. The curb weight is 2.4 tons (2200 KG). It has 2 150Kw electric motors one in front and other in the rear, with the 80Kw battery at the center. EQC has 410 HP and 760 Nm of torque, which makes this heavy EV drive like a fast sedan.
It is an FWD by default, but when there is a need for power the rear motor also kicks power and the car becomes AWD. The handling of the car is very smooth and comfortable, thanks to torque vectoring which balances the electric motor on all the axle.
The front suspension is McPherson strut and the rear has air suspension
The center of gravity is balanced due to the center-mounted battery like most EV’s in the market. It is not the best car to drive, rather it is a car to chauffeured around. That’s what most of the Mercedes owners like. So that’s not gonna be a problem.
Specification
Dimensions and Weight
| Length | 4761 mm |
| Width | 1884 mm |
| Height | 1623 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2873 mm |
| Weight Empty | 2495 kg |
| Cargo Volume | 500 L |
| Cargo Volume Max | No Data |
| Towing Weight Unbraked | 0 kg |
| Towing Weight Braked | 1800 kg |
| Roof Load | 0 kg |
Real Range Estimation between 255 – 510 km
| City – Cold Weather * | 360 km |
| Highway – Cold Weather * | 255 km |
| Combined – Cold Weather * | 305 km |
| City – Mild Weather * | 510 km |
| Highway – Mild Weather * | 325 km |
| Combined – Mild Weather * | 400 km |
Performance
| Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 5.1 sec |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h |
| Electric Range * | 355 km |
| Total Power | 300 kW (408 PS) |
| Total Torque | 760 Nm |
| Drive | AWD |
Energy Consumption
EVDB Real Range
| Range * | 355 km |
| Vehicle Consumption * | 22.5 kWh/100km |
| CO2 Emissions | 0 g/km |
| Vehicle Fuel Equivalent * | 2.5 l/100km |
Real Energy Consumption Estimation between 15.7 – 31.4 kWh/100km
| City – Cold Weather * | 22.2 kWh/100km |
| Highway – Cold Weather * | 31.4 kWh/100km |
| Combined – Cold Weather * | 26.2 kWh/100km |
| City – Mild Weather * | 15.7 kWh/100km |
| Highway – Mild Weather * | 24.6 kWh/100km |
| Combined – Mild Weather * | 20.0 kWh/100km |
Above data from ev-database.org.
So first Electric car from Mercedes, the Mercedes EQC. Overall a sensible car with praticality into it. The range is thing which will differ with driving habbits.
