Contact of the Mercedes-Benz EQC, the first electric star brand

We have already made our first contact with the Mercedes-Benz EQC, the brand's new electric SUV. If you want to know what we found, read on.

The automotive sector is changing by leaps and bounds and it seems that the path that all manufacturers are following is the same: electrification of its ranges. Mercedes-Benz is completely immersed in this process, and it is that the objective of the brand facing 2039, is that its entire range is 9 emissions. To carry out this task, Daimler plans to invest no less than 10,000 million euros.

ANDl new Mercedes-Benz EQC It has arrived on the market to show us how are the latest generation electric: compatible with long journeys, with ride comfort, a very reasonable trunk and even concessions to sportsmanship. However, this is just the beginning, and that is that the brand aims to create a whole family around the acronym EQ in order to compete in all segments. Proof of this is the Mercedes-Benz EQS that they presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2019 or the Mercedes-Benz EQV, the electric version of the brand's class V.

In DrivingEco we have had the opportunity to make a contact with the new Mercedes-Benz EQC, the first 100% electric SUV of the star brand. Despite this, it has not been developed from scratch, and it shares a platform with the GLC and with the new GLC Coupé.

However, this does not mean that the Mercedes-Benz EQC has not had a long development, and that is that 80% of the parts are new and It has been tested for more than 4 years. In them, more than 200 mules have been used and thousands of kilometers have been traveled due to very diverse weather conditions.

Discretion as the main asset

He new Mercedes-Benz EQC It has the discretion by flag, so we do not find great stridencies that denote that we are facing an electric vehicle. The front is the newest part, with a huge black calender that ends in sharp headlights whose light drawing reminds of a hook. Among them, we find a Led bar that joins the front optics and that give it a different image.

From there, few elements powerfully attract attention. LThe silhouette of rounded shapes resembles that of his brother, the GLC, although 20-inch wheels stand out with very flat shapes to favor aerodynamics. On the other hand, the rear has been paid in the fashion of the lighthouse. If we continue with the review by the rear, it is easy to realize that we are facing an electrician, since we do not find escape exits in the lower part of the bumper.

Few new inside

When you open the Mercedes-Benz EQC door, nothing will surprise us, and that is that everything is very similar to what we can find in other models of the brand. As usual in all the latest generation cars of the Teuton manufacturer, the two large screens of the MBUX infotainment system take center stage.

One of the novelties in this new system that attracted attention for its proper functioning was the navigation with augmented reality (+302.50 euros). Through the front camera, the navigation system gives us directions directly on the images projected by the car in front.

What we liked least about the interior was the center console, since The air vents of the air conditioning system are integrated in a plastic part that, without putting too much effort, moves and creaks in an improper way of a premium segment car. If we keep going down, we find the same configuration that we have in a Mercedes-Benz GLC or even in a C-Class.

The press units that the brand made available to us belonged to the special edition 1886 release, so they had emblems on the front flap and embroidery on the seats. This limited series will not reach the markets, which is a shame, since its standard equipment was so complete that it included elements such as navy blue upholstery or the sound system signed by Burmester.

The Mercedes-Benz EQC has two engines

He Mercedes-Benz EQC has an electric motor on each axle, so the traction is integral. Each of these engines, has a power of 150 kW, so the power of the two together is 300 kW, that is, 408 horses with which it can reach 100 km / h in 5.1 seconds.

Most times It is the front engine that drives the car, although at the time we demand more power or the condition of the pavement is not ideal, the rear engine goes into action.

As for the batteries, they weigh 650 kilograms and are placed under the rear seats, so the center of gravity is low. This overweight in the rear is especially accused by the suspension, so the brand has installed hydraulic shock absorbers on the rear axle, while the front are conventional. In this way, the total weight of the set is 2,460 kilograms.

Comfortable behavior

He Mercedes-Benz EQC has proven to be a comfortable car and perfectly capable of completing a long distance journey. The manufacturer has achieved excellent sound insulation, so the only thing that is heard – and only if we put effort – is the friction of the tires with the asphalt.

The Mercedes-Benz electric SUV has five driving modes: Comfort, Individual, Sport, Eco and Maximum Range. However, the most interesting are the last two, so we will explain its operation:

• At ECO mode, the system gives priority to efficiency to achieve low consumption.
• In case of activating the Maximum Range mode, all car systems work to achieve the highest possible autonomy. With this driving mode, the car uses the adaptive cruise control radar to manage the pressure with which we step on the accelerator, so we can only do it together to maintain a constant distance from the vehicle in front. In addition, with the navigator, the car can calculate which parts of the route are where more battery can be used and energy is reserved for these moments.

The driver can manage the energy regeneration system

Although we already have these predefined modes, the Mercedes-Benz EQC has two cams on the steering wheel through which we can manage the regeneration we want. There are three levels: in case of choosing the “+”, the car takes advantage of the inertia, so it is highly recommended to drive on the highway; if we choose the "-", the retention of the car will already be considerable when we lift the foot of the accelerator, so that the battery is charging; In case of choosing the most radical "- -", the retention is just as powerful as if we step on the brake pedal, so the brake lights come on and we can practice driving with only one pedal.

When we demand the car, for example to complete an overtaking, power delivery is instantaneous, so we can complete the maneuvers with full guarantee.

We had the opportunity to drive the new Mercedes-Benz EQC on mountain roads with curves. Despite not being your comfort zone, it shows that it is a noble car with predictable reactions. Its high weight on the scale is difficult to hide in curves, although its low center of gravity means that rocking does not exist.

This has its positive side, since we do not feel that we are going in a clumsy car, but also a negative one, is that it's hard to know where the car's limits are. This feeling is reinforced by a direction that, despite being direct, gives the driver little information about what happens under the front wheels.

Reasonable autonomy for daily journeys

He Mercedes-Benz EQC promises about 400 kilometers of autonomy. After the dynamic test that we could do, in which the highway was combined with a good part of mountain roads in which the driving was not the most economical, the real autonomy remained in about 350 kilometers.

As for the time the Mercedes-Benz EQC needs to recharge its batteries it is 40 minutes in case of doing it in a fast charging station of 110 kWh. If we do it to a Wallbox or to a public charging station of alternating current, we will have to wait 11 hours for the charge to be completed.

What is the price of the Mercedes-Benz EQC?

He Mercedes-Benz EQC has a starting price of 77,425 euros, being already the very complete series equipment. For this price, we already have elements such as the 19-inch wheels, the MBUX infotainment system, remote access services, active emergency brake booster, lane change detector or pre-air conditioning system.

He optional equipment, in addition to having some elements such as the sunroof (+1,397.55 euros), the Burmester sound system or the Head Up Display (available in the Premium pack whose price is 3,000.80 euros) or the AMG Line Exterior (1,633, 50 euros), has maintenance packs.

These packs can be hired for 6 years or 160,000 kilometers and they have 4 applications: maintenance pack, warranty extension pack (8 years or 160,000 kilometers), collection and delivery of the vehicle at home or the pack for changing wear parts.