Mercedes-Benz has released full details on the EQB, a full-electric compact SUV with an option for seven seats that will be launched in Europe early next year.
The EQB – essentially a battery-powered of the combustion-engine GLB -- was unveiled at the Shanghai auto show in April. It is part of Mercedes’ EQ full-electric range, which also includes a sibling model, the EQA compact crossover; the EQS luxury sedan (launched this year), the EQE large sedan and the EQC midsize sedan.
Mercedes has not released prices for the EQB. The GLB starts at about 40,000 euros ($46,000) in Germany, with the top AMG four-wheel-drive model at 57,000 euros.
The EQB comes standard with five seats, with an optional third row that is intended for smaller passengers, up to 1.65 meters, Mercedes says. The second row can also move forward by up to 140 mm to give more space for third-row passengers.
Mercedes says the seven-seat option will give the EQB an edge among compact SUVs. The GLB also has an optional third row.
Even if most GLB buyers rarely use the third row, "seven seats are something really special in this class,: Marius Philipp, compact car product manager at Mercedes, said in a news release Monday.