New from Mercedes-Benz and a first for the luxury automaker – the all-new, all-electric EQ concept vehicle. Baroque Ground finds out all about it
If you were unable to get to the Frankfurt Motor Show, which took place from 14 to 24 September 2017, you have missed out on German automaker Mercedes-Benz’s big reveal: the brand’s first-ever all-electric EQ concept vehicle. Definitely a highlight of this important annual motoring show, the concept car has a choice of two powerful electric motors, a brand new design named ‘Sensual Purity’ and high-tech elements that include laser fiber headlights and inductive charging.
The name ‘EQ’ stands for ‘Electric Intelligence’; it’s derived from the Mercedes-Benz brand values of ‘Emotion and Intelligence’. The new brand covers all key aspects for electric mobility and extends beyond the vehicle itself, encompassing a comprehensive electric mobility ecosystem of products, services, technologies and innovations. The EQ Concept car is the brand’s first EQ model.
The dynamic EQ Concept vehicle resembles a sporty SUV coupé. It boasts two electric motors as well as permanent all-wheel drive capabilities, guaranteeing a dynamic high-level performance. According to Mercedes-Benz, the two extraordinary electric motors revealed recently in Frankfurt can reach an incredible total output of more than 200kW, which is almost twice the output of other vehicles in the same range, such as the new Nissan Leaf. This is apparently the result of scalable battery components. The new electric motors take around five seconds to go from 0 to 62 miles per hour.
Gordon Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Daimler AG, of which Mercedes-Benz is a part, says that these concept vehicles are a reinterpretation of the brand’s design philosophy of Sensual Purity. The result? “Progressive Luxury for our EQ brand.”
“Concept EQ is hot and cool,” he says. “Our aim was to create an avant-garde, contemporary and distinctive electro-look. At the same time, the design of the visionary show car, which has been reduced to the essentials, reveals an alluring progressivity.”
The vehicle’s interior is just as exceptional as the stunning exterior. The cockpit is driver-oriented with simple, touch-based controls. The instrument panel is assymetrical with a large, floating wide-screen display. Throughout, the interior is luxurious and contemporary and extremely user-friendly. The steering wheel has touch controls and the automatic climate control and infotainment system also operate the same way.
According to Daimler AG CEO and Head of Mercedes-Benz, Dr Dieter Zetsche, “By 2022 Mercedes will have launched more than 10 all-electric vehicles on the market. And the Mercedes-Benz Concept EQA proves that we are serious about introducing electric mobility throughout the portfolio.”
Mercedes has stated that this new electric vehicle can manage around 249 miles on one single charge via a wallbox plug, which is a fast-charging station for the home, or via induction like wireless charging on the latest smartphones.