2020 Mercedes EQC electric SUV first India drive impressions

What is it?

Based mostly on the Mercedes GLC and not a dedicated EV system, the EQC comes with a fashionable flat battery positioned between the wheels, twin asynchronous or induction motors, substantially like you would find on a Tesla (1 for each individual axle), and 4-wheel push. Energy is stored in the large 85kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It consists of 384 cells and weighs in at a critically significant 652kg that is the kerb excess weight of a Maruti 800. The blended output from the twin motors stands at 408hp, and even additional crucial is that torque is a large 765Nm. Assume twin-turbo diesel V8.

Apparently, the front electric powered motor is engineered to deliver higher effectiveness, even though cruising and the 1 at the rear is tuned to produce additional performance. This is why, when cruising at a regular pace, the EQC is driven practically solely by the front motor. But, get started to speed up, even gently, and the rear motor immediately requires about. The EQC also will get torque vectoring to greatly enhance traction, a choice of five driver modes (with Sport at 1 finish and Max Range at the other), and as on other EVs, you can adjust brake regeneration via a pair of paddles on the wheel.

Whole blended output from the two motors is 408hp and 765Nm of peak torque.

With signature LED lights up front that operate about the headlights and grille, the EQC will certainly stand out in a crowd. Include in the piano black grille and the twenty-inch wheels with their blue detailing, and EQC appears to be like even additional remarkable. The sea-smoothened glimpse operates perfectly about the rear, the bumper juts out nicely to produce a reliable foundation and the Porsche-like connected tail-lights stand out way too. But even though the design and style is striking and will get your consideration, it does not shout Mercedes-Benz. In reality, cover the badge and you will wrestle to discover it as a Mercedes. Anoraks (like us) will also detect there is a new font utilized on the badge at the rear, the coefficient of drag of this SUV stands at an amazing .27cd, and the battery cooling process has a cubic capability of six-eight litres.

What’s it like inside?

The EQC’s interior strikes a superior harmony between traditional Mercedes and new-age electric powered. Familiar Mercedes bits include the flat-panel displays (for infotainment and instrumentation) that are joined at the hip, the black and aluminum three-spoke steering wheel, and the chromed and knurled switches on the central console. Even the trackpad and the toggle switches are standard Merc fare.

New bits include bronzed, flute-formed inserts in the vents, a additional steeply raked dash, a ribbed complete on the upper door pad and the optional, new-age resources for the seats. But even though the cabin obviously does glimpse ‘techy’ and fashionable, Merc’s subtle contact of class has taken a bit of a back seat listed here.     

The interior is common, but decidedly fashionable.

House is similar on the inside to the GLC and considering the fact that the two autos are crafted on the same wheelbase, legroom at the rear listed here is sufficient and similar way too. The seat is a bit low, owing to the flooring currently being raised marginally for the battery, but it is also fairly snug with sufficient thigh assist and a nicely reclined backrest. The EQC also will get the latest edition of Merc’s MBUX process, which listed here will get a new ‘EQ’ sub menu.

While the whole element checklist has not been declared for the EQC, and the autos that go on sale will be unique from the types we are driving, we can validate you will get capabilities like 7 airbags, Consideration Aid, linked auto tech, a sunroof and a voice assistant. Radar-based cruise command, three dimensional maps and the Heads Up Display, even so, will not make it to the element checklist. Buyers will get an eight-year battery ‘cover’ while.

 

What’s it like to push?

Increased refinement is 1 of the pillars on which the Mercedes-Benz model has been crafted. The E-class, the S-class, and even the C-class, for case in point, obviously come to feel additional refined than their rivals. And this is accurate of the EQC as perfectly. Additional insulation has been utilized to encapsulate the cabin, the electric powered motors use rubber mounts for superior noise suppression and the EQC also will get double-glazed home windows that additional assistance mute sounds from outside the house, so the EQC feels specially refined on the go. Tyre roar is superbly suppressed, the two at medium and superior speeds, there is quite minor wind noise and then, even on ‘textured’ surfaces, road noise isn’t way too substantially.

Cabin insulation is superb.

In normal electric powered auto style, the EQC also feels quite torquey in ‘Sport’ manner. That initial strike of thrust is around immediate and fairly solid, and if you preserve the tension on the accelerator pedal, even though the level of acceleration plateaus, the EQC still pulls ahead in 1 seamless surge. Would like there was a bit additional in the way of drama while the clinical performance is so cold, driving it practically feels like a non-event. And that is even with the SUV currently being able of accomplishing -100kph in five.one seconds. The EQC is also quite linear and clean, so driving it at medium speeds is simple and soothing.

Also, even though the EQC has ample grip, the steering is a bit aloof, and the two.4-tonne EQC rolls a bit in tighter corners. However, Merc’s initial all-electric powered SUV feels neat, secure and predictable. It isn’t exciting to push, per se, but you do have a tendency to appreciate the solid performance and carrying pace very easily into corners feels good way too.

The EQC pulls ahead from standstill in 1 seamless surge.

With the significant battery slung between the wheels, journey at certain speeds and about much less-than-great surfaces is marginal it does not fairly flatten the road properly, there is always some pitter patter or up-and-down motion, and what is worse is that it also feels a bit jittery about modest bumps.

Underslung battery pack indicates you can have to navigate pace breakers with care.

A additional major challenge associated with the underslung battery is the bad floor clearance. Small sufficient to get the battery to ‘thunk’ on to pace breakers, this is a challenge you really do not anticipate to experience with an SUV. So recognizing these pace breakers early is crucial, you have to crawl about gingerly and even some bad roadways want to be driven about with caution.

Range and charging

The EQC has a claimed range of upwards of 450km. While this is obviously a bit optimistic, you can anticipate a actual-world range of about 350-375km, when the EQC is driven in a watchful way. Mercedes will deliver and install a wall-box charger at your residence, and even though that capabilities at 7.5Kw and requires 10 hrs for a whole cost, you can also cost via a common 15A plug at 3.4Kw, having a leisurely 21 hrs. Of system, you will not always cost a fully drained battery, so these occasions can be halved in reality. And Mercedes is also scheduling to set up a few 50Kw speedy chargers on well known routes outside the house town, in which a coffee prevent could get you a quick ‘top-up’ for a extensive journey. 

A actual-wrold range of about 350-370km can be envisioned.  

Need to I buy 1?

At an envisioned price tag of about Rs one crore, the EQC will be expensive. This is primarily accurate if you contemplate that Mercedes sells its possess whole-size 7-seat luxurious SUV, the GLS, for about the same price tag. Then there is the floor clearance difficulty you just just can’t push it with abandon like you would push a common SUV and, for a auto at this price tag, it isn’t exactly element-wealthy either.

 

Acquiring a luxurious EV these days, even so, is additional about earning a assertion, and listed here the EQC hits the ball out of the park. The combo punch of the Mercedes model, all-electric powered push and an SUV profile really should find loads of takers. And it even drives perfectly. Smooth, silent and  exceptionally refined, it feels as hushed on the inside as some of Merc’s flagship autos. And then, when you set your foot down, there is loads of performance way too. In reality, consumer reaction is so good, Merc insiders say they have now offered a wholesome range of autos. The shift to electric powered autos would seem to have begun.

Also see:

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC India video critique