Finally, an EV from Mercedes-Benz. Is it worth considering?
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Finally, an EV from Mercedes-Benz. Is information technology worth considering?
Mercedes-Benz rolls out its offset fully-electric vehicle and we test-drove the all-electric SUV recently. Here's our verdict.
As the kickoff emission-costless vehicle, the EQC marks the commencement milestone in Mercedes-Benz's Ambition2039 plan to have a fully networked and completely carbon neutral new car fleet by 2039. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)
20 Aug 2022 06:39AM (Updated: 20 Aug 2022 07:47AM)
If you thought Maserati was tardily to the electric party, well here comes Mercedes-Benz with the new EQC, its commencement fully electric vehicle (EV) – finally.
Every bit the first emission-free vehicle to whorl off the production lines at the carmaker's brand new sub-brand, Mercedes-EQ, the EQC marks the kickoff milestone in Mercedes-Benz's Ambition2039 programme to have a fully networked and completely carbon neutral new car fleet by 2039. Merely first, the carmaker aims to have plug-in hybrids and EVs brand upwardly more than fifty per cent of its global car sales by 2030.
Now the EQC is an all-electric SUV that moves to the melody of 408hp of power, 760Nm of torque, and nips the century dash in a respectable 5.1 seconds.
Its range is not to be sniffed at, either: Jostling for superlative spot amongst all EVs produced today at an impressive 423 km.
This should take you twice round the outermost edges of Singapore before y'all'll need a recharge. Merely based on by experience, estimating an EV'southward real range is often a dicey affair.
MANAGING RANGE ANXIETY
I'll be honest: Each time I go behind the wheel of an EV, I suffer from acute range anxiety. So I was rather assured to learn of the EQC's very comfortable range cheers to its large high-voltage lithium-ion bombardment, bundled in the vehicle floor, between the two axles.
In reality, though, the actual range you manage frequently depends largely on the bulldoze style y'all select, paired with your personal driving style.
The all-wheel drive EQC comes with 4 drive programmes: Comfort, Eco and Sport plus an individually adaptable program. Sport mode is undeniably the almost fun but undoubtedly sucks up the most energy; Eco focuses on efficiency in a bid to max out your range but your SUV grows more sluggish and yous experience the heft of this ii-and-a-one-half tonne car. So Comfort is, of class, the most comfortable compromise. Oh, and if you chuck your phone on the wireless charging tray, it's going to drain fifty-fifty more juice from your electric ride.
Free energy management is therefore the name of the game and the EQC amps upwards the fun for sport.
They call information technology intelligent recuperation: A regenerative braking function that charges the EQC'southward batteries on the motility to help optimise range.
So whenever you lift your foot off the accelerator or footstep on the brake, the electric motors function like generators, effectively converting the mechanical rotation into electric energy – and, for kicks, you'll enjoy watching the dynamic percentage fluctuation of recuperative deceleration displayed on the digital dashboard as you lot drive.
Information technology gets even more than interesting – the driver gets to decide the level of regenerative braking yous desire. But flick the paddles backside the steering wheel: The 1 on the left increases the level of recuperation, and the paddle on the right reduces it. In that location are four settings: D + completely removes the recuperation and so the vehicle rolls freely; D shifts to normal recuperation; D - results in stiff deceleration in overrun mode such as when driving downhill; and D - - offers maximum recuperation and deceleration in overrun mode.
It's all very clever only unless y'all're at risk of growing dangerously low on energy, anything other than D + feels rather jarring and takes quite some getting used to if you've merely fabricated the bound from a combustion engine drive.
Outside of normal recuperation D mode, you almost take to unlearn and relearn a new style of driving, which is particularly niggling for drivers of the heavy-footed variety – and even less fun for passengers onboard. So no recuperation for me, thank you very much.
That said, y'all can besides merely set up information technology to motorcar and let your smart car do its affair.
As for charging your EQC, there's the option of AC charging at 11kW, which is more suitable for home charging considering it takes forever. Or the swifter culling of DC charging at 110 kW, which tin can juice your EV up to lxxx per cent in but xl minutes – provided you can notice an available EV charging station on this island, which is still sorely defective in EV infrastructure.
There are, even so, several apps that tin can help you locate EV charging stations and check their availability in advance, such every bit Greenlots past Shell.
ELECTRO STYLING
By virtue of its muscular proportions, the EQC is classed as a crossover SUV. An extended roofline meets a low waistline and shorter wheelbase compared to comparable SUVs, while its coupe-like roof recesses at the rear to visually position the EQC between an SUV and an SUV coupe.
There's currently just one engine variant available – the EQC 400 4MATIC – just information technology comes with the pick of Electric Fine art or AMG Line design models, both distinguished past their "electro" styling where blueish trims and lettering reflect its electric lineage.
The former features a tad more archetype cues while the sportier latter flexes a distinctive front frock in an unmistakable jet-fly AMG design with MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, accentuated by several new AMG wheel designs of 20 and 21 inches.
CLIMATE AND OTHER CREATURE COMFORTS
On the inside, the EQC's attractive multimedia complex rules; a 10.25-inch touchscreen key media brandish houses the automaker's MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Feel) multimedia system, which supports both Apple tree CarPlay and Android Automobile.
Alternatively, y'all can likewise send operating controls via finger scrolls on the touchpad located in the eye panel.
Of all the thoughtful brute comforts, the pre-entry climate control, which sets your desired temperature for the time of your intended deviation (programmable via the Mercedes me App), is peradventure the most appreciated given the blazing heat of late.
The four-way electro-pneumatic lumbar support seat aligning comes a close 2d. And, with a view to sustainability, seats are upholstered in homo-made ARTICO leather.
There's also a 13-speaker Burmester surround sound system delivering first-class surround sound and 64-color ambient lighting to assist set the mood. And the ventilation outlets with rose golden-coloured louvres are a nice touch.
Yous tin also exist assured of the latest-generation safety and driving assist systems plus a 360-degree camera onboard, including active brake and blind spot assists, with many more help programmes available as optional.
Ultimately, the question is, is the new Mercedes EQC worth rocking downwardly to electrical avenue?
Well, with the range on this babe, it'due south a resounding yes for me.
MERCEDES EQC 400 4MATIC TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Drive Organization: two asynchronous motors, all-bicycle bulldoze
POWER: 408hp
TORQUE: 760Nm
RANGE: 423km
ACCELERATION (0-100KM/H): 5.1 seconds
Superlative SPEED: 180km/h
BATTERY: Lithium-ion
Ability CONSUMPTION: 21.5kWh/100km
Toll: from S$303,888
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Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/obsessions/mercedes-benz-electric-vehicle-singapore-276321
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