In a nutshell:
- All-new EQA is first Mercedes fully-electric compact model
- Capable of covering 301 miles between charges
- More powerful model on the way in due course
- Due for release in Spring 2021
With a range of 300 miles and 190bhp, there's no wonder Mercedes-Benz says its new, all-electric EQA SUV is an 'electric athlete'
Make no mistake, this is an important vehicle for the German brand - its first ever fully-electric compact model. You can consider it a sophisticated sibling of the similarly-sized GLA, currently the smallest SUV in the Mercedes-Benz stable. And while full details - including UK pricing and specification - is due to be released in the coming weeks before the car goes on sale in Spring of this year we now have plenty of detail to whet the appetite.
First up is the powertrain. The EQA will eventually be available in a range of different power outputs, from 140 through to more than 200 kW.
But when it does take centre stage later this year the first model you’ll be able to get your mitts on is the lower-powered ‘EQA 250’, which has an output of 140 kW, or around 190hp.
That still allows the EQA 250 to sprint from 0-62mph in just 8.9 seconds - which is on a par with the petrol and diesel engines available in the GLA.
Unlike those traditional mills, however, the EQA has zero emissions and can be recharged from flat to full using a traditional wall box or public charging station in less than six hours. Clever aerodynamics also means the EQA 250 has a segment-leading range of 301 miles - trumping rival vehicles like the Jaguar i-Pace and the Audi e-Tron.
Some of those aerodynamic measures include a completely closed cooling air control system in the upper section, super- efficient front and rear aprons, a very smooth, almost completely enclosed underbody, specially optimised ‘Aero’ wheels and specifically adapted front and rear wheel spoilers.
Stylistically, there are clever design touches that mark the EQA out as an all-electric vehicle.
They include a black panel radiator grille with central star, a continuous light strip at front and rear, a horizontal fibre-optic strip connecting the daytime running lights of the full-LED headlamps, as well as rosé gold-coloured decorative trim on the ventilation outlets, seats and the vehicle key.
The EQA also comes loaded with Mercedes-Benz’ tried and trusted ‘MBUX’ infotainment system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience, in case you were wondering), which uses artificial intelligence to improve the way it operates, based on your personal preferences, and can also be specced-out with a full-colour head-up display and navigation with augmented reality as optional extras.
It should be an exceptionally safe car, too. All models come with Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Brake Assist as standard, the later of which seeks to prevent a crash by braking automatically when it detects a threat. It’s also able to brake for stationary vehicles and crossing pedestrians at ‘typical city speeds’.
As if that wasn’t exciting enough, Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, says an EQA model capable of travelling 310 miles between charges will also be heading to forecourts.
He explains: “The new EQA allows us to show the way we envisage e-mobility as tailored to the needs of our customers. We will offer a whole family of EQA models, with output ranging from 140 through to more than 200 kW, and with front-wheel as well as all-wheel drive.
“And for those for whom the issue of range is particularly important, our portfolio will in due course also include a special version of the EQA with a radius of more than 500 kilometres according to WLTP. The EQA proves that, by using a tried and tested architecture, it is possible to achieve an excellent compromise between performance, costs and time to market."
So far Mercedes-Benz has only given us the German cost of the EQA, with prices there starting at 47,540.50 Euros - equivalent to £42,109.
Watch this space for further updates as and when we have them.
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