Mercedes’ Smallest EQA EV is the Electrical Reply. Or Is It?
This smallest of Mercedes’ new-age all-electric EQ model, EQA is a traditional GLA compact crossover at coronary heart. This one has nevertheless had its sinful combustion engine, gearbox and gasoline tank ripped out and changed by a 190 HP 284 lb.-ft electrical motor and a half-tonne 66.5 kWh battery within the ground.
It’s referred to as the EQA 250 as a result of its in-town efficiency, kind of matches its GLA 250 petrol siblings’. That motor drives the entrance wheels. Totally charged, the battery offers you about 255 miles of vary. We managed nearer to 210 in the actual world. Or lower than half the space of its equally numbered GLA twin. And a few third of the 220d. We tried very laborious to get that vary, however like all EVs, this one suffers in quick freeway cruising.
Surgically Eliminated From Combustion Kin
EQA is cosmetically surgically faraway from its GLA household via a strong plastic grille and sensible standalone headlamps. By no means thoughts wheels you’d swear had been developed to work at supersonic velocity. Let’s hope that they really recuperate one thing again from the automobile’s electrical compromises.
It’s additionally considerably re-fettled inside. You understand, to remind you that you just’re driving an electrical automobile. In case your vary nervousness causes you to neglect. Look, it’s all mainly GLA package in there, which isn’t in any respect a nasty factor. Good high quality, it has premium screens for the My Mercedes infotainment, and the driving force gauges. The distinction is its all completed in zany electro-futuristic hues and textures. Oh-la-la!
That nevertheless comes with one other compromise. Counting on combustion roots doesn’t do the EQA too many favours. All that electrical package eats up helpful cabin and boot area, compromising the household comfort its piston kin boasts. The rear seats are cramped. And it’s actually uncomfortable for individuals with dimension 12 boots within the again.
Electrical Equipment Brings Newfound EQA Heft
All its electrical package brings newfound heft too. Causes the EQA to really feel cumbersome, contributes to it being neither thrilling to drive nor fast. That interprets to stunning highway manners as this little automobile tries in useless to soak up rougher highway shock. It struggles to show at elevated speeds and woe betide, attempt cease it neatly on something past billiard desk easy tarmac.
It additionally feels a bit of unsorted in sure areas of its operation. There’s a impolite transition between typical and regenerative braking, as an illustration. That may change into disconcerting because it feels just like the motor is making an attempt to climb out. The EQA 250 additionally lacks some shocking spec for what it’s. You’d count on extra in a Merc at this worth.
On the flipside, the EQA 250 truly appears like a Mercedes. A very good factor, contemplating that the women and men who made it, went out of their method to obtain that. So it’s refined and reassuring on a easy highway. EQA additionally possesses a cool atmosphere to provide you a splendidly ticklish feeling that you just’re truly doing one thing in regards to the setting.
Is EQA a Actual GLA Compromise?
The purpose is, that this automobile is a non-starter. Particularly in South Africa, the place I sort away this conclusion in the midst of one other 4 hours of load shedding. If this automobile’s battery was flat, what would I do? If I used to be driving a GLA 250 I’d simply replenish on the native fuel station, as a result of they’ve a generator and nonetheless pump gasoline anytime.
Even in a world sense, I really feel compromised by this automobile. It has a fraction of the vary of its fuel kin and prices a hell of much more. Whereas it feels positive, it’s terrible on rougher surfaces, doesn’t like to show or cease and can’t go half the space of its combustion siblings on a cost. Which can take not less than ten instances longer to recharge, than to high these vehicles up.
The tiniest cracks are beginning to present on that EV armour. For good motive, too. Particularly when electrical vehicles like this have faster, cheaper, nimbler, extra spacious, and way more person pleasant, dare we are saying, combustion siblings within the vary. Now let’s see if these cracks cease. Or in the event that they rupture wildly, as some critics predict.
On this proof, there’s not very a lot going for EVs. Irrespective of how a lot sugar they baste the tablet with…
ROAD TESTED: Mercedes EQA 250
Motor: 190 HP 284 lb.-ft asynchronous electrical
Drive: Direct Drive FWD
TESTED:
0-40 mph: 3.77 sec
0-60 mph: 7.85 sec
0-80 mph: 10.75 sec
¼-mile: 15.7 sec @ 92 mph
50-75 mph: 5.17 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 100 mph
Power: 17.7 kWh/100 km
Vary: 250 miles
RATED: 7
Photos: Giordano Lupini
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