AUSTRALIA’S first electric Mercedes-Benz production vehicle, the ground breaking EQC, will arrive in local showrooms within days, and blaze a new trail in vehicle ownership for the brand.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC, a family sized SUV, is the result of several years of intensive research, development and testing to create a production ready, all electric vehicle delivering performance, comfort, safety, and luxury.
The EQC is the first vehicle to be offered for sale from EQ, the division of Mercedes-Benz established to guide the company’s transition to electric mobility, and develop electrically boosted combustion engines, plug-in hybrids and fully electric models along the way.
Australia is among the first countries in the world to receive stock of the ground breaking EQC, with the first deliveries to customers expected to begin from early 2020. It offers premium driving experience, and with a full charge, can travel up to 434km.
When recharging is required, EQC owners have numerous choices. These include free and unlimited fast charging for the first five years of ownership at Chargefox ultra rapid charging stations.
Once EQC deliveries commence, approximately 20 Chargefox ultra rapid charging sites will be strategically located to assist drivers commuting between Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane too, with more on their way.
Using this network, EQC owners can restore driving range of approximately 220 kilometres in 30 minutes, at the EQC’s maximum DC charging rate of 110kW. At home charging can be completed with a Wallbox Home, or via a standard domestic socket.
Mercedes-Benz EQC owners can also access a growing number of commercial pay as you go fast charging locations fitted with a Type 2 CCS plug. This would on average provide extra range of approximately 100km from a 30 minute charge.
The EQC is fitted with a lithium-ion battery pack and comes with an eight-year, 160,000km warranty, while a three year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty applies to all other items, with annual servicing intervals.
Ample performance comes standard on the EQC 400 4MATIC, courtesy of two asynchronous 150kW electric motors generating a total of 300kW of power and 760Nm of torque, all fed to a single speed, fixed ratio transmission on each axle.
The new EV is fitted with 4MATIC all-wheel drive with dynamic torque distribution, and can sprint from 0-100km/h in a brisk 5.1 seconds. The 405 volt, 80kWh (usable) lithium-ion battery also forms part of the EQC’s floor, providing a low centre of gravity.
The futuristic feel is augmented by the acclaimed MBUX operating system, which allows voice actuated control of dozens of common functions and also has the ability to ‘learn’ the driver’s habits and preferences.
EQC owners will enjoy all the connectivity benefits of Mercedes me Connect, the smartphone based app that allows remote engine starting and door locking/unlocking, remote checking of vehicle status, geo-fencing, and many more functions.
It can be ordered in seven metallic paint finishes from Polar White and Brilliant Blue to High-Tech Silver, Graphite Grey and Obsidian Black. Three ‘designo’ colours; Diamond White, Hyacinth Red and Selenite Grey Magno, can be added as an option.
Open-pore black ash wood trim is standard on the EQC 400, while carbon fibre look trim and aluminium look trim are no cost options. Upholstery is in AMG black leather, with artico/dinamica microfibre a no cost option.
Other premium finishes such as Nappa leather are available as part of a wider ‘Edition 1’ package, which also includes 21-inch AMG multi spoke alloy wheels, climatised front seats, tri-zone thermotronic climate control, and MBUX navigation with augmented reality.
Limited to just 25 examples, the Edition 1 variant features special badging on the B-pillar. An Electric Art Line package is also available for just under $6,000, which adds rose gold stitching on the metallic silver grey dash.
That package also includes the energizing package plus wellness program, air-balance ioniser, multi-contour front seats featuring adjustable bolsters and massage function, climatised front seats, and a choice of leather finishes.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC is being sold at a fixed priced of $137,900 plus on-roads. It will be on sale and available to view in the nine EQ showrooms across Australia from December 9, with first customer deliveries to begin from early 2020.
