Mercedes‘s EQ range of fully electric vehicles is slowly taking shape, despite the carmaker having only unveiled one model so far.
The rest of them are still undergoing tests while heavily camouflaged, like this mystery prototype spotted by our photographers. We know to expect the EQA and EQB pairing, the mid-size EQE, a large EQS model and now, we’re looking at something completely new here. It’s somewhat shaped like an MPV, which is both interesting and odd at the same time. So what could it be?
Well, seen as how all the aforementioned models are based on Mercedes‘ fully electric EVA II platform and the already-available EQC still uses GLC underpinnings, some are claiming that this could actually be sort of an EQC II, replacing its pioneering sibling.
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This both makes sense and doesn’t at the same time. For starters, why would Mercedes willingly jump out of such a lucrative segment as the one where the EQC currently resides? Compact EV crossovers are about to take over a variety of global markets and sending out some type of smaller R-Class type of EV against the likes of the Audi e-tron, BMW iX3 or the Tesla Model Y doesn’t sound too smart.
On the other hand, replacing the current EQC with something based on a more modern architecture would lead to improvements in performance and range. Then again, the EQC barely came out and pulling it would be a disaster. Perhaps this model will be sold alongside its crossover-shaped sibling, kind of like how Audi does with the e-tron and e-tron Sportback. This seems more plausible.
Visually, it’s hard to miss the EQ-style grille and door-mounted mirrors (like on the EQE and EQS), while the prototype’s overall dimensions do appear relatively compact – maybe it’s a tiny bit longer than the EQC. While there isn’t much else to deduce here, expect to see the latest in terms of MBUX on-board software, while its electric drivetrain will surely offer better range than the EQC, since that’s how progress usually works.
