Predicting future automotive products is near impossible. Rumors, speculation, and die-hard brand fans stir the pot on what’s expected. The idea of an electric Mercedes-Benz crossover popped up at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. We thought the range would be at least 250 miles with dual-electric motors that made 405 horsepower. Fast-forward to today, and the Mercedes-Benz EQC is a reality – coming close to our predictions.
The production version – EQC 400 model – will feature a dual-electric motor producing 402 hp and 564 pound-feet of torque supplied by an 80-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. Mercedes estimates a 200-mile range on a single charge, which is below rivals such as the Tesla Model X (237 miles) and Jaguar I-Pace (240 miles). However, the EPA has yet to test the vehicle. The crossover accelerates from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds.
Pricing information remains elusive, making any comparisons to Jaguar or Tesla difficult. The Model X starts at around $80,000 before any tax incentives. The I-Pace starts at $70,495. If the EQC offer less range than both the Tesla and Jaguar, it should be less than both models. Customers looking for something else will have to wait as there are few all-electric luxury crossovers on the market.
This is Mercedes’ first all-electric vehicle, and it signals a shift in focus for the German automaker. The company plans to launch 10 new electric cars by 2025 with the EQC being the first model of its new EQ sub-brand. The success and reception of the EQC, set to arrive in showrooms in 2020, will direct the brand’s future strategy.