2020 Mercedes EQC electric SUV first India drive impressions

What is it?

Based on the Mercedes GLC and not a dedicated EV platform, the EQC will come with a fashionable flat battery positioned in between the wheels, twin asynchronous or induction motors, considerably like you would locate on a Tesla (one for each individual axle), and four-wheel push. Electric power is stored in the large 85kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It consists of 384 cells and weighs in at a significantly weighty 652kg which is the kerb weight of a Maruti 800. The mixed output from the twin motors stands at 408hp, and even much more vital is that torque is a large 765Nm. Think twin-turbo diesel V8.

Curiously, the entrance electric motor is engineered to offer higher performance, even though cruising and the one at the rear is tuned to produce much more general performance. This is why, when cruising at a constant velocity, the EQC is pushed practically exclusively by the entrance motor. But, begin to speed up, even gently, and the rear motor rapidly normally takes around. The EQC also gets torque vectoring to enhance traction, a choice of five driver modes (with Sport at one finish and Max Selection at the other), and as on other EVs, you can regulate brake regeneration through a pair of paddles on the wheel.

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

With signature LED lights up entrance that run about the headlights and grille, the EQC will surely stand out in a crowd. Increase in the piano black grille and the 20-inch wheels with their blue detailing, and EQC appears even much more dramatic. The sea-smoothened search will work well about the rear, the bumper juts out nicely to produce a sound base and the Porsche-like linked tail-lights stand out as well. But even though the style and design is putting and gets your consideration, it does not shout Mercedes-Benz. In actuality, go over the badge and you will wrestle to identify it as a Mercedes. Anoraks (like us) will also discover there is a new font utilised on the badge at the rear, the coefficient of drag of this SUV stands at an outstanding .27cd, and the battery cooling procedure has a cubic ability of six-8 litres.

What is it like inside?

The EQC’s interior strikes a improved harmony in between conventional Mercedes and new-age electric. Common 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 much more steeply raked sprint, a ribbed complete on the higher doorway pad and the optional, new-age supplies for the seats. But even though the cabin plainly does search ‘techy’ and fashionable, Merc’s refined touch of class has taken a bit of a again seat listed here.     

The interior is acquainted, but decidedly fashionable.

Room is very similar on the inside to the GLC and given that the two cars are created on the identical wheelbase, legroom at the rear listed here is enough and very similar as well. The seat is a bit small, thanks to the floor staying elevated a little bit for the battery, but it is also quite cozy with enough thigh aid and a nicely reclined backrest. The EQC also gets the hottest version of Merc’s MBUX procedure, which listed here gets a new ‘EQ’ sub menu.

When the complete attribute listing hasn’t been declared for the EQC, and the cars that go on sale will be unique from the kinds we are driving, we can confirm you will get attributes like seven airbags, Interest Help, linked car tech, a sunroof and a voice assistant. Radar-based cruise control, three dimensional maps and the Heads Up Display screen, even so, will not make it to the attribute listing. Consumers will get an 8-yr battery ‘cover’ though.

 

What is it like to push?

Bigger refinement is one of the pillars on which the Mercedes-Benz model has been created. The E-class, the S-class, and even the C-class, for instance, plainly truly feel much more refined than their rivals. And this is genuine of the EQC as well. Additional insulation has been utilised to encapsulate the cabin, the electric motors use rubber mounts for improved sounds suppression and the EQC also gets double-glazed home windows that even more aid mute appears from exterior, so the EQC feels particularly refined on the move. Tyre roar is fantastically suppressed, the two at medium and higher speeds, there is quite tiny wind sounds and then, even on ‘textured’ surfaces, highway sounds isn’t as well considerably.

Cabin insulation is outstanding.

In common electric car style, the EQC also feels quite torquey in ‘Sport’ method. That to start with strike of thrust is in the vicinity of instant and quite powerful, and if you keep the pressure on the accelerator pedal, even though the price of acceleration plateaus, the EQC however pulls ahead in one seamless surge. Desire there was a bit much more in the way of drama though the scientific general performance is so chilly, driving it practically feels like a non-event. And which is irrespective of the SUV staying able of undertaking -100kph in 5.one seconds. The EQC is also quite linear and sleek, so driving it at medium speeds is quick and comforting.

Also, even though the EQC has enough grip, the steering is a bit aloof, and the 2.4-tonne EQC rolls a bit in tighter corners. Nevertheless, Merc’s to start with all-electric SUV feels neat, safe and predictable. It isn’t pleasurable to push, per se, but you do are inclined to delight in the powerful general performance and carrying velocity simply into corners feels very good as well.

The EQC pulls ahead from standstill in one seamless surge.

With the weighty battery slung in between the wheels, journey at sure speeds and around considerably less-than-great surfaces is marginal it does not quite flatten the highway successfully, there is often some pitter patter or up-and-down motion, and what is worse is that it also feels a bit jittery around modest bumps.

Underslung battery pack indicates you can expect to have to navigate velocity breakers with treatment.

A much more serious trouble affiliated with the underslung battery is the bad ground clearance. Lower more than enough to get the battery to ‘thunk’ on to velocity breakers, this is a trouble you really don’t expect to come upon with an SUV. So recognizing individuals velocity breakers early is vital, you have to crawl around gingerly and even some undesirable streets require to be pushed around with caution.

Selection and charging

The EQC has a claimed vary of upwards of 450km. When this is plainly a bit optimistic, you can expect a true-globe vary of about 350-375km, when the EQC is pushed in a careful manner. Mercedes will offer and set up a wall-box charger at your residence, and even though that features at seven.5Kw and normally takes 10 several hours for a complete cost, you can also cost through a frequent 15A plug at 3.4Kw, having a leisurely 21 several hours. Of training course, you will not often cost a entirely drained battery, so these moments can be halved in fact. And Mercedes is also planning to set up a several 50Kw quickly chargers on popular routes exterior town, wherever a coffee cease could get you a rapid ‘top-up’ for a very long journey. 

A true-wrold vary of about 350-370km can be envisioned.  

Ought to I get one?

At an envisioned rate of about Rs one crore, the EQC will be high priced. This is particularly genuine if you take into account that Mercedes sells its personal complete-size seven-seat luxury SUV, the GLS, for about the identical rate. Then there is the ground clearance issue you just cannot push it with abandon like you would push a frequent SUV and, for a car at this rate, it isn’t precisely attribute-wealthy both.

 

Purchasing a luxury EV now, even so, is much more 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 push and an SUV profile need to locate a great deal of takers. And it even drives well. Clean, silent and  particularly refined, it feels as hushed on the inside as some of Merc’s flagship cars. And then, when you set your foot down, there is a great deal of general performance as well. In actuality, consumer response is so very good, Merc insiders say they have now marketed a healthy range of cars. The shift to electric cars would seem to have begun.

Also see:

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC India online video assessment