Benz says its new fully electric EQC symbolises the start of a new mobility era at Daimler.
With its seamless, clear design and colour highlights, it is a pioneer of an avant-garde electric look while being a poster boy for Progressive Luxury.
The extended roofline and window layout, with a low waistline and coupe-like roof recess at the rear, visually position the car between an SUV and coupe.
Dare we say it bears more than a passing resemblance to the Peter Schreyer-styled Kia Sportage?
Two electric motors at the front and rear axles deliver a combined output of 300kW, with a sophisticated operating strategy that gives the EQC a range 450km according to provisional figures.
It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds and has an electronically governed top speed of 180km/h.
A striking feature of the design is the large black-panel surface enclosing the headlights 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 lights 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 headlights are finished in gloss black.
Contrasting colour highlights discreetly confirm the model’s membership of the new EQ family, with 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 Benz says resembles the cooling fins of a hi-fi amplifier.
The instrument panel is designed as a driver-oriented cockpit, with a hi-tech, high gloss cassette housing flat air vents with key-shaped, rose-gold coloured louvres.
The EQC is equipped with a water-cooled on-board charger with a capacity of 7.4kW, making it suitable for AC charging at home or at public charging stations.
Charging at a wallbox is up to three times faster than at a domestic power socket.
Benz says it is faster still with DC charging which is standard for the EQC.
Depending on its charge status the EQC can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent In around 40 minutes.
Series production of the EV is due to start in 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen.
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