Exclusive! We caught a new electric SUV from Mercedes-Benz testing in Spain

Mónica Redondo @MonicaRedondoD 30 July 2019 6 min.

Exclusive! We caught a new electric SUV from Mercedes-Benz testing in Spain

We spotted a new electric SUV from Mercedes-Benz testing on the roads near the town of Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real.

Mercedes-Benz never ceases to surprise us, and it could be planning to step up its electric offensive with a new large electric SUV. Following the launch of the Mercedes-Benz EQC, the first electric SUV from the star brand to enter production at the brand’s plant in Bremen, reports indicate the manufacturer may be working on new members for the EQ family.

According to Mercedes-Benz itself, by 2025 between 15 and 25% of its range should consist of electric cars, and we are not talking about vehicles with some form of electrification or mild hybrid systems, but fully electric models powered by a battery.

Although the Mercedes-Benz EQC was the first, the following models will share a very similar technical system. Recently, it was revealed that the brand may be working on the Mercedes-Benz EQA. This model will take advantage of the characteristics of the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class and the Mercedes-Benz CLA. Everything points to this new electric model becoming the entry point to the electric range of the star brand’s EQ line, but it cannot be ruled out that a compact model will arrive to put the Volkswagen ID.3 and a large SUV like the one we caught this very weekend on the ropes.

The new electric SUV we caught driving through Ciudad Real, accompanied by five Mercedes-Class A with the model covered, will be joined by a Mercedes-Benz EQB that will be slightly larger and will be the equivalent of the unreleased Mercedes-Benz GLB. As with the Mercedes-Benz EQC, the new electric models from the star brand will have their batteries located between both axles, under the cabin floor, therefore without reducing boot capacity or interior space.

Caught a new fully electric SUV driving in Spain

This past weekend we witnessed some of the tests the German manufacturer is putting its new electric models through. Exclusively, we spotted what could become the large electric SUV from Mercedes-Benz. The test ‘mule’ was travelling last Saturday around midday on the A-4 towards Madrid, specifically from kilometre 194, in the municipality of Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real.

The test vehicle, escorted by several units of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, was travelling in the middle of the convoy and wore a camouflage wrap that left very little to the imagination. As can be seen in the exclusive images, the vehicle has no exhaust system, which tells us it is an electric vehicle.

If we look at the rear, we can focus on the light clusters. The way the camouflage vinyl is ‘cut’ makes it look like the rear lights may be joined, a trend that is very common in the sector. The lines are rounded and at the top, the rear window culminates in a spoiler that adds extra aerodynamics to the model.

Looking at the side, you can see that the model will have four doors and lines that define its silhouette. The wheel arches also stand out with lines resembling ‘fins’, which give it extra off-road capability. Underneath, 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels can be seen. Furthermore, at the end of the rear window, there is a detail the brand, for now, wants to keep hidden: the same pointed finish as its electric sibling, the Mercedes-Benz EQC.

It is worth noting that the roof of the model is fitted with a kind of silver roof rack. At the front, it is dominated by a large grille accompanied by wedge-shaped light clusters. The bonnet features very pronounced ridges that add a sporty touch to the model. These lines join the large windscreen, where some stickers can be seen, such as the one indicating that it is an electric vehicle.

For now, the type and number of motors that will power this large electric model from the star brand are unknown, and the same goes for its range, so we will have to wait for the brand itself to provide more details about its fully electric offensive.

What can we expect from a new Mercedes-Benz electric SUV?

By using a scalable architecture, the technical side of the future new Mercedes-Benz electric SUV could be resolved with different configurations. A first could fit a 204 CV motor with a 60 kWh battery and a range that could be around 400 km, and a top-of-the-range version with all-wheel drive, an electric motor on each axle and a combined output approaching 408 CV and 760 Nm of torque. It would be equipped with larger batteries, which could range between 80 and 100 kWh.

If the new SUV resembled its sibling, the EQC, it could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just under 5.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 180 km/h. It is worth noting that an 80 kWh battery could be recharged in around 10 hours on a wallbox, or in about 30 minutes at a fast-charging station.

As with its equipment, the price is also unknown, but considering the price of the Mercedes-Benz EQC, the Audi e-tron we recently tested on the roads of Bilbao and the Jaguar I-Pace, it could be priced above 83,000 euros.

From the base price, as with other models, it will be possible to configure optional packs such as the Driving Assistance Plus package, which costs an extra 1,530 euros. The Energizing pack costs 2,934 euros. In addition, the exterior can also be personalised with the AMG Line packs, ranging from 2,020 euros to 8,137 euros.

Comentarios cerrados