We put the Mercedes-EQC 400 to the check. Does it change the sport?
This 2.5-tonne EQC was the primary all-electric Mercedes underneath its EQ new sub-brand. In contrast to its newer EVs, this one based mostly on the nice outdated carbon burning GLC. It’s only a facelift on the face of it. Which can also be most likely why it seems regular. Let’s take a better look…
The C in its title aligns it with the petrol and diesel-powered GLC and thus the C-class. It exists above its GLA-based EQA, and the EQB hewn from the GLB. And sits beneath the standalone EQE and EQS. That are the E and S courses within the battery-electric Mercedes-EQ vary.
You Will Know EQC is a Mercedes Proper Away
So, being based mostly on it, the EQC appears similar to a petroleum GLC to only hop in and drive. A lot so, you’d swear that the EQC isn’t even electrical. All refreshing and regular. The cabin does really feel totally different to the common GLC. However you’ll realize it’s a Merc immediately.
Visibility is nice and its cozy inside. You’re cosseted by distinctive match, end, and supplies underneath a considerably stingy sunroof. The audio system is splendid. Rear house is immense, however the boot is cramped. One other two compromises its generic platform brings alongside weight and practicality. Being an EV, you’ll be able to nevertheless pre-cool or warmth the cabin. A welcome plus.
Merc’s ‘Hey Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment spreads out throughout the sprint. It packs Apple and Android mirroring, wi-fi charging, sat-nav, a reversing digicam and the remaining. Being so outdated, EQC has one other benefit. Its earlier era steering wheel is really easy and pleasant to make use of. Albeit prettier, Benz’ newest tech wheel forgets we’re merely human in any case.
All-Wheel-Pushed by a Motor At Every Axle
All-wheel-driven courtesy of a motor at every axle, the entrance unit is tuned for effectivity, the rear one tweaked to carry out. The automobile spends its time ebbing and flowing output between the 2. Drive defaults to the entrance wheels, solely supplementing that with rear propulsion on demand. Or when the automobile thinks it wants it.
Highly effective and torquey, the EQC 400 masks its 5,500 lbs. heft alarmingly nicely. Do you know that this automobile’s heated and cooled 80 kWh battery is liable for 1 / 4 of that weight? Some could name it progress. One other 330-pound penalty comes from platform sharing. A bespoke EV chassis would save that. If that issues a two and three-quarter ton automobile.
That mass does have its benefits. It crops the automobile on the highway to make sure huge refinement. Merc has executed an equally spectacular job of conserving it quiet on the highway and thru the breeze. The entrance motor is as an example twice double rubber-mounted twice, to its subframe after which to the chassis. It’s so silent, it’s attractive!
Don’t Count on EQC to be Sporty
Don’t anticipate sporty. It’s too heavy, you sit too excessive, the steering’s too numb and there’s no anti-roll. Nevertheless it’s fast. Completely matching Mercedes’ claims in our exams, efficiency is one benefit you actually do profit on this electrical model. Epic, ever-present torque and large grip make for swift and hassle-free driving, regardless of the situations.
Vary relies on the way you drive EQC, your drive modes and the way scorching or chilly it’s outdoors. And the way a lot single pedal regen you’re joyful to make use of. There are 5 ranges and also you set it by way of what was as soon as the best steering shifter paddle. EQC additionally maximizes effectivity. It prompts you to make use of much less throttle by way of navi knowledge enter and visitors signal recognition. You’re not alone!
EQC’s driver show additionally tells you the place you’re on vary and battery degree. The power monitor will even tweak regen ranges, when to cost or freewheel, if it’s extra environment friendly to hold the velocity or not. Clever.
We Managed 175 Miles on a Cost
Mercedes reckons the EQC 400 will journey 230 miles on a full battery, based on its Worldwide Harmonized Mild-Obligation Take a look at Process. That’s what WTLP in gas consumption stands for nowadays. We averaged extra like 175 miles earlier than we wanted to plug it in. That interprets to 2,1 miles/kWh.
In different phrases, engaged on an 11-cent commonplace electrical energy tariff, the Mercedes EQC 400 prices $8.80 to replenish from empty. That eases in low tariff occasions, however greater than doubles utilizing a public fast charger. You probably have a good off-the-grid set-up at dwelling, which many individuals shopping for on this neck of the woods do, then the EQC 400 shouldn’t value a dime to run.
By means of comparability, a diesel GLC 300 d ought to return a bit higher than 39 mpg at or so a $3.92 gallon of diesel. So, it’d value you $17.58 to journey those self same 175 miles. And a gasoline GLC 300 makes use of 29 mpg at $3.53 per gallon. So, 175 miles will value you S21.30. The elephant within the room nevertheless stays vary. The diesel will go 715 miles on a tank, the petrol GLC 530 miles.
All EQC’s Weight Prices Cash
All that weight and tech additionally comes at a value. Whereas the EQC comes at over 1 / 4 premium over a GLC 300 4Matic AMG Line in markets the place each can be found (the US awaits the approaching subsequent era EQC). However whereas it’s electrical and carries all these foibles of a gasoline burning base, listing value premium, vary anxiousness and the remaining, it’s nonetheless at the start a Mercedes.
Stress-free, refined, succesful and quiet, the Mercedes-EQC 400 4Matic AMG Line carries the proverbial kitchen sink. It additionally provides an EV ease to your on a regular basis commute and can assist calm even your biggest EV worry. And it’s simply step one in Mercedes’ EV future, so anticipate all our considerations to decrease as shortly as all this new tech advances.
ROAD TESTED: Mercedes-EQB 350 4Matic
Motors: 402 HP 560 lb.-ft, 2x asynchronous electrical
Battery: 80 kWh lithium ion
Drive: Direct, AWD
TESTED:
0-40 mph: 2.52 sec
0-60 mph: 5.18 sec
0-100 mph: 14.29 sec
¼-mile: 13.7 sec @ 98 mph
50-75 mph: 3.73 sec
75-100 mph: 6.94 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 110 mph
Vitality: 35 kWh/100 miles
Vary: 230 miles
RATED: 8
Pictures & Testing: Giordano Lupini
