Mercedes EQA: the next rival for the Tesla Model 3 is taking shape

The Mercedes EQA could offer a real-world range of 400 kilometres and a propulsion system with 402 CV.

The Mercedes EQA is a small electric saloon in development with which the German brand intends to compete in the so far barren segment of premium electric compacts, a category where we currently only find the Tesla Model 3 and the BMW i3. The next member of the EQ family has been shown in a series of videos in which we can see the shape the final model will take, although we already warn that the definitive version may still undergo many changes compared with this prototype.

Built on the EVA platform: a completely new design

The Mercedes EQA has been built on the new platform dedicated exclusively to electric vehicles from the star brand (EVA). We are therefore talking about a model whose design differs completely from models such as the Mercedes CLA or the A-Class, something that is clearer than ever in the new videos of the electric model.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=43&v=55xFZ0veFkc

The vehicle we see in these images is still at the concept stage, so we can still expect many changes compared with the final model, whose official presentation should take place once the first SUV of the EQ family, the Mercedes EQC, reaches the market.

High-capacity battery and 400 kilometres of real-world range

In September last year, Mercedes promised that the EQA would have a battery of between 60 and 70 kWh with a range of around 400 real-world kilometres. This is a totally revolutionary figure if we compare it with the current range of the BMW i3 (200 real-world kilometres) or with other more mainstream electric compacts such as the Nissan Leaf (270 km according to the WLTP cycle) or the Renault Zoe (300 real-world km). The toughest rival to the Mercedes EQA in this area will be the Tesla Model 3, whose range is 354 km in the standard version and 500 km in the “long range” variant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp8U_cevJd8

On the other hand, the car will feature a fast-charging system capable of adding 100 km of range in just 10 minutes.

Electric propulsion system with 402 CV

The propulsion system of the Mercedes EQA will not fall short either, according to what the brand has announced to date. The compact electric saloon will have two electric motors (one on the front axle and another on the rear) whose combined output could reach around 402 CV (300 kW).

Electric mobility: Mercedes’s plans

From now until 2025, Mercedes plans for between 15% and 25% of total sales of the brand to be electric vehicles. Furthermore, in 2020 the Smart brand will become one of the first manufacturers in the world to sell only electric vehicles.