The Mercedes-Benz among electric vehicles
Mercedes-Benz is flipping the switch. The new EQC is …
… the first Mercedes-Benz under the product and technology brand EQ
⦁ EQ stands for “Electric Intelligence”
⦁ It is derived from the Mercedes-Benz brand values of “Emotion” and “Intelligence”
⦁ The EQC (combined power consumption: 22.2 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km, provisional figures)1 is part of a growing family of all-electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz
⦁ Conceived to meet all the requirements for a battery-electric drive system
⦁ Convincing in the sum of its attributes with respect to comfort, quality and operating range
⦁ An electric range of more than 450 km according to NEDC (provisional figure)
… progressive in design
⦁ Pioneer of an avant-garde electric look
⦁ Progressive luxury points the way to the future
⦁ Large black-panel surface as a striking front feature
⦁ Optical fibres as a visual link to the torch-like daytime running lamps
⦁ Sporty, stretched silhouette
⦁ Innovative interior design inspired by the world of consumer electronics
… excitingly dynamic
⦁ A compact electric drivetrain at each axle, with a combined output of 300 kW
⦁ Superior driving characteristics of an all-wheel drive vehicle
⦁ Various driving modes with different characteristics
⦁ Battery recuperation can be adjusted as the customer requires, using gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel. In “D Auto” mode, the EQC can also adapt recuperation according to the situation with the aid of ECO Assist
… the Mercedes-Benz among electric vehicles
⦁ Latest-generation driving assistance systems with new tailback management functions
⦁ Extensive crash test programme
⦁ Stringent additional requirements for the battery and all components carrying electrical current
⦁ Pre-climatisation means no scraping ice in the winter and no perspiration in the summer
⦁ Extremely quiet interior
⦁ Trailblazing MBUX multimedia system – Mercedes-Benz User Experience with numerous EQ specific functions
⦁ A trailer coupling is available on request. The maximum towing capacity (braked) is 1800 kg
⦁ Integration into ongoing series production at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen
⦁ Battery produced by the Daimler subsidiary Deutsche Accumotive
… more than just a car, and a symbol of a new era in mobility
⦁ Comprehensive services for the electromobility of today and tomorrow
⦁ Relaxed, uncomplicated travel with transparency and planning certainty
⦁ Dialogue with visionaries, business people and opinion leaders in the “EQ Community”
⦁ New event formats “EQ Dinner” and “EQ Nights”
⦁ Entry into Formula E for the 2019/20 season
The new Mercedes-Benz EQC
Mercedes-Benz management comments on the new EQC
“With the EQC – the first fully electric SUV from Mercedes-Benz – we are flipping the switch. Electric drive is a major component in the mobility of the future. We are therefore investing more than ten billion euros in the expansion of our EQ model portfolio, and more than one billion euros in global battery production.”
Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars
“The new EQC is a genuine Mercedes-Benz. This particularly applies to classic attributes such as quality, safety and comfort. These are accompanied by dynamic performance, thanks to two electric motors at the front and rear axles with a combined output of 300 kW, and an intelligent operating strategy for a superior electric range. The EQC is part of a growing family of purely electrically powered vehicles from Mercedes-Benz.”
Ola Källenius, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development
“Electric now has a Mercedes – with the EQC, we are putting the first MercedesBenz of our new product and technology brand EQ onto the roads. EQ stands for ‘Electric Intelligence’, and represents Mercedes-Benz in its most progressive way. We are systematically using human-centred innovation by incorporating intelligent services and networked charging solutions for our customers from the very start.”
Britta Seeger, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales
“At Mercedes-Benz Cars we are integrating the EQC into our series production at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen. One major pillar of our strategy is flexibility. Our decision to produce electric vehicles on the same line as models with combustion engines enables us to respond flexibly to demand and use plant capacity to best effect. In this way we can continue to ensure both high efficiency and top quality with well-proven production processes. On the way to smart production we are already employing future-oriented Industry 4.0 solutions such as virtual and augmented reality, human-machine cooperation and big data analysis. Digital solutions help us to network Production with Development and Sales even more effectively. The electric initiative means two things for us: emission-free vehicles and ‘clean’ production. With a CO2-neutral energy supply to our German plants by 2022, we are actively promoting the sustainability of our production.”
Markus Schäfer, Executive Board member Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain
“The EQC embodies the Progressive Luxury design idiom of our new EQ product and technology brand. This creates an experience and a preview of the ‘next big thing’ to come tomorrow. With its seamless, clear design, the EQC is a pioneer for an avant-garde electric look with trailblazing design details and colour highlights typical of the brand both inside and out.”
Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG
The Mercedes-Benz among electric vehicles
Stuttgart/Stockholm. It was at the 2016 Paris Motor Show that MercedesBenz first presented its new product and technology brand for electromobility. In mid-2019 the time has now come: The EQC (combined power consumption: 22.2 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km, provisional figures)1 is the first Mercedes-Benz vehicle to be launched under the EQ brand.
With its seamless, clear design and colour highlights typical of the brand, it is a pioneer for an avant-garde electric look while representing the design idiom of Progressive Luxury. With respect to quality, safety and comfort the EQC is the Mercedes-Benz among electric vehicles, and highly convincing in the sum of its attributes.
These are accompanied by dynamic performance, thanks to two electric motors at the front and rear axles with a combined output of 300 kW.
A sophisticated operating strategy enables an electric range of more than 450 km according to NEDC (provisional figure)1. EQ also offers comprehensive services with Mercedes me, and makes electromobility convenient and suitable for day-to-day motoring. The EQC also symbolises the start of a new mobility era at Daimler.
As the first Mercedes-Benz model under the new product and technology brand EQ, the Mercedes-Benz EQC has many trailblazing design details and colour highlights typical of the brand. Both inside and out, the EQC embodies the design idiom of Progressive Luxury. This arises from the combination of a previously unknown beauty, the conscious clash of digital and analogue elements as well as the seamless merging of intuitive and physical design.
By virtue of its muscular proportions, the EQC is classed as a crossover SUV. The extended roofline and window layout with a low waistline and the coupé-like roof recess at the rear visually position it between an SUV and an SUV coupé.
A striking feature at the front is the large black-panel surface enclosing the headlamps and grille. For the first time, the black panel is bordered at the top by an optical fibre as a visual link between the torch-like daytime running lamps as a typical Mercedes-Benz feature. At night this creates an almost uninterrupted, horizontal light band.
The inner housings and tubes of the standard MULTIBEAM LED headlamps are in high-gloss black. Contrasting colour highlights discreetly confirm the model’s membership of the new EQ family: blue stripes on a black background, and MULTIBEAM lettering also in blue.
The high-quality interior of the EQC also pioneers an avant-garde electro-look. One example is the ribbed edge of the instrument panel, which resembles the cooling ribs of a hi-fi amplifier. The instrument panel is designed as a driver-oriented cockpit. The typical Mercedes-Benz wing profile is asymmetrical, with a “cut-out” in the driver area.
This is where one of the visual highlights of the cockpit is located – a high-tech, high gloss cassette housing flat air vents with key-shaped, rosé-gold coloured louvres.
Powertrain: Dynamic performance meets efficiency
As the first Mercedes-Benz model to be launched under the new product and technology brand EQ, the EQC features an all-new drive system development with compact electric drivetrains at each axle. These give the EQC the driving characteristics of an all-wheel drive.
To reduce power consumption and increase dynamism, the electric drivetrains are configured differently: the front electric motor is optimised for best possible efficiency in the low to medium load range, while the rear one determines dynamism. Together, they generate an output of 300 kW and a maximum torque of 765 Nm.
Mercedes-Benz engineers have enhanced noise comfort with a number of measures. In the EQC the powerpacks are isolated by rubber mounts at two points: where the powerpack connects to its subframe and where the subframe connects to the body. This effective isolation is supplemented with insulation measures. As a result, the interior of the EQC is extremely quiet.
The lithium-ion battery, which has an energy content of 80 kWh (NEDC) supplies the vehicle with power. The power consumption and range of electric vehicles depend very much on the driving style. The EQC supports its driver with five driving programs, each with different characteristics: COMFORT, ECO, MAX RANGE, SPORT and an individually adaptable program. In the more economical driving modes, the haptic accelerator pedal that prompts the driver to conserve power plays an important role. The driver is also able to influence the recuperation level using so-called paddles behind the steering wheel.
The ECO Assist system gives the driver comprehensive support when driving predictively: by prompting the driver when it is appropriate to come off the accelerator, e.g. because the vehicle is approaching a speed limit, and by functions such as coasting and specific control of recuperation. For this purpose, navigation data, traffic sign recognition and information from the intelligent safety assistants (radar and stereo camera) are linked and processed.
Technical data
CO2 emissions 0 g/km
Power consumption (NEDC) 22.2* kWh/100 km
Range (NEDC) more than 450* km
Drive system 2 asynchronous motors, all-wheel drive
Output 300 kW (408 hp)
Peak torque 765 Nm
Top speed 180 km/h (governed)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h 5.1 s
Battery Lithium-ion
Battery energy content (NEDC) 80 kWh
Battery weight 650 kg
Length/width (with mirrors)/height 4,761/1,884 (2,096)/1,624 mm
Track width (FA/RA) 1,625/1,615 mm
Wheelbase 2,873 mm
Boot capacity (depending on equipment) ca. 500 l
Kerb weight/perm. GVW/pay load (DIN) 2,425*/2,930/505 kg
Trailing load max. (12 %) 1,800 kg
*provisional data
Charging: Flexible and fast
As standard the EQC is equipped with a water-cooled onboard charger (OBC) with a capacity of 7.4 kW, making it suitable for AC charging at home or at public charging stations.
Charging at a Mercedes-Benz Wallbox is up to three times faster than at a domestic power socket. It is faster still with DC charging – which is standard for the EQC – for example via CCS (Combined Charging Systems) in Europe and the USA, CHAdeMO in Japan or GB/T in China.
Depending on the SoC (status of charge), the EQC can be charged with a maximum output of up to 110 kW at an appropriate charging station. In around 40 minutes, the battery can be charged from 10 – 80 percent SoC (provisional data).
The multimedia system MBUX: with EQC-specific functions
The EQC features the innovative multimedia system MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience – which has numerous EQ specific functions such as the display of range, charge status and energy flow. EQ optimised navigation, driving modes, charging current and departure time can also be controlled and set via MBUX.
The MBUX display has a special EQ tile where numerous EQ features are grouped. Alternatively the user can access the EQ menu of the MBUX system directly using a key in the lower left control panel. Thanks to natural language recognition, the EQ specific voice control helps the driver to operate the EQC.
Intelligent services: Relaxed travel from start to finish
EQ with Mercedes me provides comprehensive services for the electromobility of today and tomorrow. The most important new services and functions of the EQC planned for market launch include:
Pre-entry climate control: This ensures that the vehicle interior is already at the desired temperature on departure. It can be programmed directly via MBUX or via the Mercedes me App. A sophisticated system with a heat pump and electric heater boosters pre-climatises the interior.
The EQ optimised navigation always bases its calculation on the fastest route taking into account the shortest charging time. The route planning also responds dynamically to changes, and can take place both offboard and onboard, i.e. externally (via the Mercedes me App) and within the vehicle.
Thanks to EQ optimised navigation, Mercedes-Benz customers can easily find charging stations, and Mercedes me Charge gives them convenient access to the charging stations of numerous providers, also beyond national borders. In this case customers benefit from an integrated payment function with simple accounting.
Active and passive safety: EQC-specific safety concept
The EQC is equipped with the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz driving assistance systems. In the Driving Assistance package, these include new functions such as predictive speed adjustment when approaching the end of a tailback: when a tailback is detected, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC reduces the speed to around 100 km/h as a precaution. In a tailback on the motorway, the lane guidance system keeps the vehicle off-centre to leave space for the emergency services.
The EQC also meets the highest requirements with respect to passive safety: in addition to the usual, extensive programme of crash tests, Mercedes-Benz applies further, particularly stringent safety standards to the battery and all component parts carrying electrical current. These standards exceed legal requirements. The vehicle structure of the EQC has been adapted to suit the special requirements of the electrical components and battery, and is configured to achieve the usual high safety level. For example, a new subframe surrounds the drive components located in the front section, and this unit is supported by the usual mounting points.
Mechanical protection of the battery: the high-safety design begins with the installation position of the high-voltage battery beneath the vehicle floor. The energy storage unit is surrounded by a stable frame that can absorb energy. Deformation elements are installed between the frame and the battery, and these are able to absorb additional forces in the event of a severe side impact. A battery guard in the front area of the battery is able to prevent the energy storage unit from being pierced by foreign objects.
Electrical protection of the high-voltage system: the extensive experience of Mercedes-Benz with high-voltage drive systems has led to a multi-stage safety concept that deploys in the event of an accident. The high-voltage system automatically shuts down, reversibly or irreversibly, according to the severity of the accident. There are also shutdown points where emergency teams can deactivate the high-voltage system manually.
Testing: Endurance tests around the world
By market launch, 200 prototypes and pre-production vehicles of the EQC will have absolved tests covering several million kilometres across four continents (Europe, North America, Asia and Africa). The test program comprises more than 500 individual tests. Like all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the EQC must absolve the demanding standard test programme. There are also special tests for the electric powertrain, the fuel cell, and the interplay of all powertrain components.
In the process the test experts are able to build upon the extensive findings from their digital testing work, used to ensure both the buildability of the vehicle and for the simulation of e.g. crash behaviour, aerodynamics and NVH: noise, vibration, harshness. In addition, there are intensive tests on numerous test rigs at the Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre in Sindelfingen. The ratio between digital and real testing is roughly 35 to 65 percent.
Production: Preparations in full swing in the Bremen plant
Series production of the EQC will start in 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen. The preparations for this are already fully under way. The new EQC will be integrated into ongoing series production as a fully electric vehicle. The very latest production technologies will be employed.
One decisive innovation is the so-called battery-joining centre where the EQC undergoes a second “marriage”” following installation of the two electric powerpacks in the bodyshell. This is where the EQCs are recognised as electric models with the help of data tags attached to the body, and equipped with a battery. The body is suspended from a so-called C-carrier and deposited on a frame. Support arms raise the battery to the vehicle’s floor from below. An employee monitors the automatic bolting in place.
In parallel with this, production of our own batteries for the EQC is coming on stream at the expanded battery plant in Kamenz (near Dresden).
Alongside Bremen, the Sino-German production joint venture Beijing Benz Automotive Co. Ltd. (BBAC) is also preparing for the production start-up of the EQC for the local market.
