Mercedes-Benz unveiled an all-electric crossover on Tuesday, the EQC. The crossover kicks off the German automaker’s plans to invest more than $12 billion in order to produce a line of battery-powered models under its new EQ brand.
Mercedes plans to invest an additional $1.2 billion in global battery production, Daimer, according to AG Chairman and Mercedes-Benz CEO Dieter Zetsche. The automakers EQC is expected to go on sale in the United States in 2020, which will be joining a list of other luxury all-electric vehicles.
Several other automakers also joined in the trend of going electric in hopes of capturing the market back from Tesla. Porsche plans to produce an electric car, featuring the all-electric Taycan that is expected to be released at the end of 2019. Audi, a little ahead of Mercedes and Porsche, will be unveiling its all-electric e-tron quattro SUV next week while sales of the Jaguar I-pace are expected to begin in the U.S. this fall, according to TechCrunch.
Mercedes-Benz has yet to release a price for its new EQC, but we are provided with details within the crossover. The Mercedes EQC consists of a new drive system with compact dual electric drivetrains at each axle. With the two drivetrains combined, it generates 402 horsepower sand 562 pound-feet of torque. Although it is not the quickest takeoff, the EQC can travel from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds. The battery within the EQC holds an estimated range of about 200 miles, according to Mercedes-Benz. The 80-kilowatt-hour battery however, can reach an 80 percent charge in 40 minutes.
The crossover will come standard, containing 19-inch wheels, LED headlamps with adaptive high-beam assist and a sliding sunroof. The interior contains heated, power and memory front seats as well as its new MBUX infotainment system. Included with the MBUX system is three years of free map updates as well. The system is also equipped with a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch media display. Mercedes-Benz has yet to release a price for its new EQC.
