Chandan B Mallik, Kolkata: Mercedes-Benz India has announced that it will enter the country emerging electric vehicle with its dedicated EQ brand.
The German premium car maker plans to introduce its battery-powered EQC SUV as early as April in India.
In fact, several EQV mules have been spotted doing the test runs and experts believe that the production cars are being extensively tested and engineered to cope with extreme hot (dry/humid) weather conditions that prevails in the country.
“The first vehicle that the brand as such as a full EV been able to deliver or aiming to deliver is the EQC, which is a sporty SUV, which has been unveiled,” said Martin Schwenk, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India during the press meet.
Mercedes-Benz India has ambitious plans for this segment for India. “With the launch of EQ we firmly announce Mercedes-Benz’s arrival into the new era of electro mobility. We want the EQ brand to create an ecosystem in which electric mobility is reliable, simple and at the same time exciting,” Schwenk added.
Mercedes-Benz has already announced that it intends to produce ten EQ models by 2022. The EQ sub brand will also include hybrid models under the EQ Boost badging and the performance portfolio will have AMG involvement and carry the EQ Power badging.
It was at the 2016 Paris Motor Show that Mercedes-Benz first presented its EQ electro-mobility branding.
The car gets a 80 kWh lithium battery pack. It can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 40 minutes using DC fast charger.
The five-seater EQC is based on the Mercedes-Benz GLC platform and shares the same wheelbase. The crossover SUV’s styling incorporates inspirations from SUVs and coupés. There’s extended roofline, low waistline and the coupé-like roof recess at the rear.
The EQC400 4MATIC model is powered by 2 asynchronous electric motors, fitted on the front and rear axles which produce 402 hp and maximum torque of 765 Nm. Power is channelled to the wheels through a single speed transmission with fixed ratio.
The SUV’s top speed has been electronically limited to 180 km/h. The driving range of more than 450 km according to NEDC.
The driver of the car can select varying levels of brake energy regeneration via steering wheel paddle shifters.
While most high end electric SUVs offer 2 or 3 driving modes, the EQC supports its driver with five driving programs, each with different characteristics: Comfort, Eco, Max range, Sport besides an individually adaptable program.
