Mercedes Dives Into the EV Deep End With the EQC

Mercedes-Benz has teased the EQ sub-brand for some time now while it worked out the kinks in creating a great production electric vehicle. Now the teasing is over as Mercedes has revealed the first model to grace the EQ brand, the EQC. By the looks of things, the time Mercedes took to perfect it was well worth it.

The Mercedes-Benz EQC will boast an appearance that includes some key Mercedes styling, like the horizontal grille slats, the large tri-star emblem, and single-bar taillights, but it also will include some distinct signatures that will set it apart on showroom floors. One of the key styling elements is how the grille and headlights blend into a black panel, giving the front end a near-seamless look.

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC

Inside, the EQC will take on a wildly futuristic look, according to the initial images. Two 10.25-inch displays blend together to make up the instrument panel and infotainment system while blue ambient lighting outlines all the shapes on the dash and doors. Despite the modern take, the EQC harks back to simpler Mercedes models with its upscale materials that luxury buyers expect from the brand, including aluminum, real wood, and leather.

Powering this future-looking crossover is a dual-electric-motor powertran that puts one motor at each axle. Combined, these units inject a mighty 402 horsepower and 564 pound-feet of torque. This will rocket the EQC to 60 mph in an estimated 4.9 seconds and up to an electronically limited top speed of 112 mph. This is all fed by an 80-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that allows an NEDC-estimated 279 miles of range. When you translate that range into the stricter U.S. measurements, we are probably looking at somewhere closer to 200 to 225 miles.

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC

Mercedes plans to have the new EQC in U.S. showrooms in 2020. Stay tuned for updates.