EQC lands in NZ – briefly

This story first appeared in the May issue of AutoTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

Mercedes-Benz Cars has landed its EQC all-electric SUV in New Zealand and shown it to customers – and then it has left the country again.

The early-build car came to New Zealand following its display at the Formula One race in Melbourne in March, where reports are driver Lewis Hamilton became a big fan.

The vehicle was in New Zealand for just a week, which kicked off with meetings between Mercedes EV leaders and members of the local scene, included a glitzy unveiling for invited guests before the car was put on display at the brand’s Mt Wellington headquarters for private customer viewings.

Customer deliveries are not due until very late this year or early next year.

Pricing has yet to be released, yet interest from buyers appears to be strong.

In Europe, pricing for the EQC starts at around $NZ120,000.

The visit marks more than just the introduction of the EQC, as it is also part of the expansion of its EQ brand of electrified models.

Ten new electrified Mercedes-Benz cars will be launched by 2020 – with concepts indicating a compact hatchback, a van and an S-class based luxury sedan will follow.

General manager, Mercedes-Benz Cars New Zealand, Ben Giffin, opened the reveal event noting the history and experience Mercedes-Benz brings to the electric vehicle space.

“This car is the result of 132 years of automotive history, and it is a moment we have been working towards with all our knowledge, and all our technical innovations we have developed since we invented the automobile in 1886,” Giffin says.

“With the launch of EQC, electric now has Mercedes.”
While the EQC is based in par on the conventional GLC model, and shares its wheelbase, it offers significantly different styling – virtually all the body components are unique.

While one school of thought is a better result can be achieved by having a vehicle designed from the ground up as an EV, a Mercedes staffer we spoke to at the event pointed out the production and cost advantages of basing the vehicle off an existing platform are significant.

If there is a compromise, it is to be found under the bonnet, where there is no “frunk” like some modern electric vehicles.

Instead, the front motor and controller units sit, mounted into a specially isolated tubular frame.

To allow the EQC to be built on the same production line as the GLC and C-class, the motor needed to be in a unit like this so it could be raised up into the vehicle with the rest of the front suspension and subframes.

The sturdy tubular frame brings other advantages, however.

Reports are the EQC is particularly quiet and refined due to the isolation.

We were also told the frame is so strong it boosts crash protection and the system could allow for additional other structure to be removed from the front of future designs.

The motors themselves are both 150kW, sit front and rear and produce a combined 300kW and 765Nm.The sprint from 0-100km/hr will take 5.1 seconds and top speed is limited to 180kW.The EQC can also tow, with a braked capacity of up to 1800kg.

The battery is an 80kWh unit, built by Mercedes-Benz using LG Chem cells – a total of 384 of them.Under the now outdated NEDC testing regime, a range of 445km-471km, though real world predictions being discussed suggest a real-world range of 340-400km.

Charging is through CCS type-two, with DC fast charging at up to 110kW.
The onboard charger is a 7.4kW unit, giving a 12-hour charge on a level two unit.
This is arguably disappointing, as both the Tesla Model X and Audi e-tron come standard with an 11kW unit, and can be optioned up to 22kW.

Stepping inside the EQC you get the same plush, yet futuristic feel as other modern Mercedes.

The dash is dominated by two massive 10.25-inch screens, one for instruments and one for the entertainment and control systems.

The “Mercedes-Benz User Experience” system, or MBUX, is controlled via touch or a control panel that sits on the centre console.

Some features can be controlled using the “Hey Mercedes” voice system.

Mercedes-Benz Distronic package of driver assistance systems are likely to feature, in our opinion, one of the closest systems to AutoPilot in how well it can take control of a vehicle on a highway.

The system features route-based guidance, that can slow for corners and intersections based on GPS data.

Drive controls will be familiar to those who have experienced a Tesla, as that brand borrowed their controls from the German company – so you get a transmission shifter stalk coming out of the steering column.

The EQC’s interior feels spacious and solid – even in this early-build form.
Front seat space is excellent, while the rear is comfortable if a little short on legroom.

The boot offers a healthy 500 litres of storage space.

Expect a full drive in the EQC in EVtalk magazine late this year.

Visit Auto Media Group on Youtube for video from the event.