Mercedes-Benz India has announced that the launch of the EQC Crossover in April would introduce its all-electric sub-brand, the EQ to our market this year. The all-electric Crossover, which was launched as first EV production series of the brand back in 2018, will clash in India with the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-Pace. Mercedes launched the EQC ' Edition 1886' at its plant in Pune to mark the announcement.
It is supposed to be mechanically similar to the regional standard with the Mercedes-Benz EQC being introduced in as a CBU. Two electric motors–one in the front and one in the back, making four-wheel drive–operate in tandem to produce a combined torque of 407hp and 765Nm. Power derives from a WLTP cycle 80kWh lithium-ion battery pack which has a claimed range of 400 km.
As far as design is concerned, the EQC maintains a range of signs from the 2016 Generation EQ project that anticipated the all-electric Crossover–it's not revolutionary, but consumers will not be offset either. Walk into the cabin and there is no doubt this is a Mercedes, with lots of common parts for the infotainment system and instrument cluster such as the switchgear and dual-screen panel.
Expect prices in the Rs 1.5 Crore area (ex-showroom) for the Mercedes EQC.
Alongside announcing the launch of the EQ name, Mercedes-Benz India is also working under its ' Sustainable Luxury ' strategy to improve its green credentials. By the end of 2020, carmakers are preparing to get 45 per cent of their energy needs from renewable resources.
In its manufacturing facility, the company will install 4,000 solar panels, which is expected to produce about 1.6 MW and mitigate CO2 emissions by 2,600 tons per year.