Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • VW, BMW, others plot Europe network expansion with charging venture
      Electric-only Volvo C40 to challenge Tesla Model 3, VW ID3
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Volvo C40 Recharge
      JLR axed electric Land Rover, Jaguar on MLA platform to focus on better tech
    • JLR axed electric Land Rover, Jaguar on MLA platform to focus on better tech
      Hyundai counts on Bayon's 'distinctive' design to make small SUV stand out
      Harrison named Toyota Europe CEO, succeeding van Zyl
      Mercedes misses fuel economy targets in U.S., China
    • Sogefi appoints new CEO, virus weighs on 2020 results
      3BIDEN-MAIN_i.jpg
      Biden to press for $37 billion to boost chip output amid shortage
      Continental grille web.jpg
      Continental invests in object recognition startup
      1OUSTER-MAIN_i.jpg
      Why lidar suppliers may run into obstacles
    • Electric-only Volvo C40 to challenge Tesla Model 3, VW ID3
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Volvo C40 Recharge
      Hyundai counts on Bayon's 'distinctive' design to make small SUV stand out
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Hyundai Bayon
    • Valeo joins Bosch, GM, others in pledge for carbon neutrality
      GMEVBarra-MAIN_i.jpg
      GM aims to stop selling gasoline vehicles by 2035 in carbon neutrality pledge
      VW will appeal $20M Spanish diesel compensation ruling
      Death of diesel looms as automakers accelerate to electric future
    • French sales fell 21% in February as COVID slump continues
      Russia sales fall 4% in January as rebound stalls
      3CARNIVAL-MAIN_i.jpg
      Why European auto sales may not rebound
      Europe sales plunge 26% in January amid COVID lockdowns
    • Audi appoints former Porsche exec as finance chief
      Sogefi appoints new CEO, virus weighs on 2020 results
      Audi's new chief engineer will accelerate EV push
      Suzuki chairman will retire after longest reign in auto industry
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Frankfurt Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Mobility
    • Segment Analysis
    • Latest Launches
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
    • Apple, Nio, other auto newcomers get creative to avoid Tesla's 'production hell'
      How Amazon, Google are transforming the auto industry
      EV-only future looks closer than ever in Europe
      European car retailing poised for shake-up as 'agency' model gains support
    • Renault CEO bets on 'winning horses' for turnaround
      Nvidia CEO says software will soon define the car, drive profit
      Tavares: Keeping PSA, FCA merger on track an 'incredible' achievement
      Renault CEO outlines ambitious revival plan
    • JLR axed electric Land Rover, Jaguar on MLA platform to focus on better tech
      Mercedes misses fuel economy targets in U.S., China
      Volvo to be electric-only brand by 2030; EVs will be sold exclusively online
      JLR seeks partner for Jaguar EV platform
    • Skoda connectivity features need to offer more 'must-have' allure
      Luminar-MAIN_i.jpg
      Who's who in the lidar world
      A 'genius idea' gets a second chance in Renault's mobility strategy
      Volvo sets tough goal for car subscriptions arm
    • EVs, surging SUVs to hit Europe's biggest segment
      Wagons hold market share, but costly EV shift looms
      Electrification gains speed in Europe's key compact segment
      Hybrids beat the market; sales expected to top 1 million in 2022
    • Hyundai counts on Bayon's 'distinctive' design to make small SUV stand out
      Mercedes positions C-Class as sportier S-Class
      Nissan Qashqai gets better handling thanks to new platform
      ARTURA-MAIN_i.jpg
      McLaren embarks on deeper electrified future with Artura
    • How GKN is transforming to gain from e-powertrain shift
      Marelli CEO expects e-powertrains to provide long-term boost
      Veoneer boss expects to reach key milestone this quarter
      How Faurecia aims to become a hydrogen leader
    • Europe sales by model, January: Porsche, Lamborghini, Volvo defy down market; Toyota Yaris No. 1-seller for the month, VW Golf finishes 4th
      Top 10 sellers by market, January: Skoda Octavia finishes No. 1 or No. 2 in eight markets
      Russia sales fall 4% in January as rebound stalls
      Turkey sales, January: Ford, Opel, Fiat, Mercedes rise sharply
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
    • Jaguar Land Rover Gerry McGovern
      Gerry McGovern is right man to steer Jaguar reinvention
      A 'genius idea' gets a second chance in Renault's mobility strategy
      Skoda connectivity features need to offer more 'must-have' allure
      Will an all-electric Jaguar be sold off?
    • Understanding the impact of design on marketing, brand and user experience
      Ex-Aston Martin CEO Palmer calls on UK to intensify battery commitment
      Why Apple must target the $230B luxury car market
      Apple car: Who will build it? Magna Steyr possible candidate
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • view gallery
      11 photos
      Volvo C40 Recharge
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Hyundai Bayon
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Honda HR-V Hybrid
      view gallery
      13 photos
      Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2021)
    • koenigsegg-gemera-front-quarter-passenger-01.jpg
      view gallery
      14 photos
      Koenigsegg Gemera
      view gallery
      21 photos
      Fiat New 500
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Aston Martin V12 Speedster
      view gallery
      13 photos
      Audi A3 Sportback 2020
    • At the Beijing show, sales rebound and EV boom mix with murky outlook
      3BEIJING-MAIN_i.jpg
      Beijing show to highlight competition for local EV makers
      Beijing auto show delayed due to coronavirus
      Maserati will unveil Ghibli hybrid at Beijing show
    • view gallery
      11 photos
      Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Renault Captur
      view gallery
      5 photos
      Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 53
      view gallery
      10 photos
      Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe
    • view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux SA2.0 SUV
      view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux A2.0 sedan
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Seat Tarraco
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Toyota Corolla station wagon
    • view gallery
      4 photos
      Nio ET Preview
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Infiniti Qs Inspiration concept
      view gallery
      5 photos
      BMW 3-series LWB
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Mini Clubman
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress Conversations
    • ANE Shift
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • ANE Leading Women
    • Watch Again
      • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
      • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
      • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
      • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
    • Meet the 2020 winners
    • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Latest Launches
June 07, 2019 04:47 AM

Mercedes aim to regain lost ground in EV race with EQC

Christiaan Hetzner
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    To make the EQC stand out Mercedes designers made the headlamps and grille blend into a black-panel surface.

    Daimler is positioning its Mercedes-Benz EQC as an affordable alternative to the larger Tesla Model X and Audi e-tron. Mercedes is aiming the crossover at customers who plan to purchase their first electric vehicle.

    By eliminating expensive features typically offered in the midsize crossover segment such as continuously variable air suspension, engineers were able to reduce the EQC's pre-tax starting price to less than 60,000 euros, allowing it to qualify for government subsidies in countries such as Germany. With taxes in Germany the EQC costs 71,281 euros while in the same market the Model X starts at 85,300 euros and the e-tron at 82,350 euros.

    The EQC, Mercedes' first mass-market EV, comes with a range certified at up to 374 to 417 kilometers under the new WLTP test cycle and the battery's storage can be replenished to 80 percent in 40 minutes using a DC fast-charging station.

    "We expect a large number of EQC buyers, perhaps roughly half, will purchase it as a second car," said Joerg Heinermann, head of sales & marketing for the Mercedes' EV line.

    While project managers hope they can poach Tesla owners, they acknowledge that the main purpose of the EQC was to prevent any further loss of Mercedes customers to rivals with EVs in their showrooms. "Tesla is a generation further with its Model 3," a project engineer conceded.

    Heinermann believes the EQC will be a winner in Europe, particularly in prestige markets such as Switzerland where conversations with dealers suggest that some customers had been waiting for an electric Mercedes before giving up their combustion-powered drivetrains.

    The vehicle is equipped with an 80-kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery that weighs 652 kilograms and feeds an induction motor over each axle. Combined, the battery and motors provide total output of 300 kilowatts (equivalent to 402 hp) and 760 newton meters of torque.

    The EQC goes 0 to 100 kph in 5.1 seconds but engineers have limited its top speed to 180 kph to conserve range.

    Particular attention was paid to the vehicle's noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Each electric motor is mounted on two separate sets of rubber bushings to better insulate the passenger cabin: one where the drivetrain connects to its subframe and the other where the subframe connects to the body. Plenty of sound dampening foam and fabrics such as felt have been added, even in the rear wheel arches, smoothing out all spikes in noise frequencies across the bandwidth spectrum from low to high.

    Sturdy yet light aluminum beams along the side sills protect the battery from side impacts while structural reinforcements were made to the car's front and rear. Deformable crumple zones in the battery's frame absorb as much additional energy as possible to ensure the modules themselves remain undamaged in the event of a crash. A small plough under the car near the front axle acts to clear debris away, preventing shocks to the car's underbelly that could also pose safety risks.

    If the EQC is in an accident, the battery automatically shuts down, reversibly or irreversibly depending on severity of the crash. There are also shutdown points where emergency teams can deactivate the high-voltage system manually.

    THE BASICS

    Launch date: Europe (spring-summer); China (late 2019); U.S. (early 2020)
    Base price:  71,281 euros (with tax, Germany)
    Where built: Bremen, Germany; Beijing, China
    Range: 445-471 km (NEDC); 374-417 km (WLTP)
    Consumption: Up to 20.8 kWh per 100 km
    Main rivals: Tesla Model X, Jaguar i-Pace, Audi e-tron
    Comfort: The EQC's heat pump recirculates waste heat from the compressor and battery to help keep the interior warm in cold weather without draining battery reserves and limiting the range.
    Flexibility: The EQC shares elements such as its wheelbase and underpinnings with the fuel-powered GLC. Both crossovers are built on the same assembly line.
    Navigation: The MBUX infotainment system incorporates special features for the EQC, including optimized route planning that takes charging stops into account.
    One-pedal driving: Drivers can select five different recuperation modes to recharge the battery. In its most extreme form, the vehicle's speed can be regulated almost solely using the accelerator.
    Battery: Produced in Mercedes's plant in Kamenz, Germany, the EQC's powerplant is guaranteed for eight years or 160,000 km.
    Dimensions: The EQC has roughly the same footprint as the Jaguar I-Pace.

    AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE MONTHLY MAGAZINE

    This story is from Automotive News Europe's latest monthly magazine. To view the new issue, as well as past issues, click here.

     

     

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Hyundai counts on Bayon's 'distinctive' design to make small SUV stand out
    Recommended for You
    Hyundai counts on Bayon's 'distinctive' design to make small SUV stand out
    Hyundai counts on Bayon's 'distinctive' design to make small SUV stand out
    Mercedes positions C-Class as sportier S-Class
    Mercedes positions C-Class as sportier S-Class
    Nissan Qashqai gets better handling thanks to new platform
    Nissan Qashqai gets better handling thanks to new platform
    Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    Sponsored Content: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • 2020 Media Kit
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Frankfurt Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Mobility
      • Segment Analysis
      • Latest Launches
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress Conversations
        • Watch Again
          • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
          • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
          • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
          • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
      • ANE Shift
      • ANE Rising Stars
        • Meet the 2020 winners
        • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
      • ANE Eurostars
      • ANE Leading Women
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us