Mercedes-Benz has revealed its new electric sub-brand will be known as the EQ and the “Generation EQ” EV concept previews the brand’s future electric vehicle.
Wrapped in a sporty SUV coupe body, the concept is propelled by an electric drive system made up of two electric motors – one on each axle – with a system output of up to 300kW and 700Nm of torque driving all four wheels. It is capable of hitting 100km/h from a standstill in under 5 seconds, while delivering a range of up to 500km.
Its high-efficiency lithium-ion battery is placed deep in the vehicle’s floor between the axles and has a capacity of over 70kWh. Mercedes says its future fast charging capability is capable of topping up the battery for a 100km range in just 5 minutes.
“The mobility of the future at Mercedes-Benz will stand on four pillars: Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric. ‘Generation EQ’ is the logical fusion of all four pillars,” says Dr Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
“The emission-free automobile is the future. And our new EQ brand goes far beyond electric vehicles. EQ stands for a comprehensive electric ecosystem of services, technologies and innovations.”
Mercedes says its new generation of electric vehicles will be based on an architecture developed specifically for battery-electric models, which is scalable in every respect and usable across all models: the wheelbase and track width as well as all other system component, especially the batteries, are variable, thanks to the modular nature of the platform.
In other words, a range of SUVs, sedans, coupes and cabriolets, amongst others, can be spinned off the same platform. The near production-ready “Generation EQ” marks the launch of the architecture.
The concept also presents a new light signature for Mercedes-Benz’s electric cars. This is seen on the concept’s distinguishing “Black Panel” front grille with its white-illuminated Mercedes star along with all the light elements integrated in the seamless glazed design. The blue-illuminated surround, made of LED optical fibres in electric blue, is said to give a completely new interpretation of the typical Mercedes radiator grille.
As the driver approaches the car, it automatically welcome him or her with a specific colour mood in the interior.
Inside, the driver-oriented cockpit features touch-based controls with a new electro-look consistently reflecting the exterior design. The asymmetrical design of the instrument panel with its large, floating wide-screen display is tailored to the driver. Its 24-inch digital user experiences is said to differentiate the “Generation EQ” from the familiar control logic in today’s vehicles, while giving a peek into the future.
The “Generation EQ” concept also previews a range of safety and connectivity technologies, including extended communication by Car-to-X, 3D real-time map display from HERE and Intelligent driver assistance.
The Mercedes’s EQ sub-brand, which stands for “Electric Intelligence” and is derived from the Mercedes brand values of “Emotion and Intelligence”, will offer a comprehensive electric mobility ecosystem with products, services, technologies and innovations, much like Tesla.
The spectrum ranges from electric vehicles to wallboxes and charging services to home energy storage units.