Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the launch of its electric SUV, the EQC400, in April 2020. The update came in during the launch of its product and technology EQ brand launch in India. EQ stands for 'Electric Intelligence' and will stand for sustainable luxury in the long run. The Mercedes EQC SUV will be brought in via the CBU route and will have a sticker price in excess of Rs 1 Cr.
The Mercedes EQC400 was showcased globally last year and is made on a modified GLC platform. In terms of size, it is bigger than its own sibling and rivals like the likes of the Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-Pace and the Audi e-Tron. The design is unlike any other Mercedes-Benz we have seen before and so are the specs.
The powertrain
Mercedes' EQC400 comes with an 80 kWh battery pack that is stored under the floor. The motor is capable of making a peak power out of over 400 horses along with a max torque of 760 Nm. These are impressive figures and further, the set-up allows the relatively heavy e-SUV to sprint from a standstill to a hundred in 5.1 seconds. That's super-SUV territory we say. Top speed is electronically limited to about 180 km/h, so as not to strain the batteries and the motor.
Driving modes
Like most other Mercedes models, this one too comes with driving modes. Before we explain these, let me add that the EQC gets MB's famous 4MATIC set-up which means the power goes to all the four wheels. This, in turn, means there are a set of two motors, one for each axle. The driving modes include COMFORT or the default setting, ECO which is geared towards efficiency, MAX RANGE for activating the intelligent driving program, SPORT for max thrills and INDIVIDUAL for those who want to have their own custom settings.
Interiors
This is a proper 5-seater SUV and the cabin layout typical Mercedes in terms of features and quality levels. The highlight is the long horizontal glass area that houses the screen for the speedometer console and the infotainment-cum-navigation screen. These 10.25-inch displays look classy and so do the vertical side vents. The central console is clutter-free and this also frees up the area for front occupants. As is the case with other MB SUVs, this one too comes with an array of active and passive safety features.
Charging and range
The Mercedes EQC SUV will come with a water-cooled onboard charger (OBC) that will have a capacity of 7.4 kW. This makes it good enough for AC charging at home. With fast charging, the EQC can be charged with a max out of 110 KW which means it will take about 40 minutes for the battery to be charged from 10 to 80%. While the Indian cycle figures aren't out yet, internationally, the Mercedes EQC400 is good for about 400km on a full charge. Given the performance on offer and the weight of the SUV, this is a very good figure indeed.
