Mercedes-Benz has unveiled an all-electric SUV concept at the Paris Auto Show, strongly hinting at what we can expect from its recently announced EQ sub-brand.
The Generation EQ concept offers impressive range and up to 400 horsepower, which the automaker needs to compete with the likes of Tesla and rival BMW’s “i” sub-brand.
Sporting all-important “coupe-like” styling, the Generation EQ greets us with an LED-filled face that you’ll only see on a concept car. Naturally, there’s no need for side-view mirrors. None of this matters, as the concept is simply a preview of future models — it’s the technology and capability that Mercedes-Benz wants us to notice.
Powered by two electric motors, the all-wheel-drive Generation EQ sports scalable battery components, allowing a power output of up to 400 horsepower and about 516 lb-ft of torque. The automaker claims a 0-62 mile per hour time of less than five seconds.
Juice is drawn from a battery pack of more than 70 kW. Mercedes-Benz claims its modular architecture, which includes the batteries, will find a home in future EQ models. Driving range is up to 500 kilometers, or 310 miles. That tops the 289-mile range of Tesla’s Model X P100D.
A recent report by Bloomberg stated Mercedes-Benz intents to market at least four EQ-branded vehicles by the end of the decade.
[Images: Mercedes-Benz]
Better keep that thing away from traffic – can you imagine what a front-end collision will cost?!
Some corrections:
1. “70 kWh”, not “70 kW”
2. 310 miles on the Euro cycle is more like 250 EPA miles, so it’s on par with today’s Model S, or any 70 kWh EV.
It won’t make it in California, or most other states, unless they remove all that blue-purple lighting. Red and blue lights are illegal on the front of a vehicle, and blue is illegal everywhere on a car.
Most likely the excess LED neo-neon is for concept purposes, to make it stand out, along with the invisible door handles and the side view mirrors conveniently disguised by the window glass.
This concept also looks “modernly clean” by not having any radio antenna, no front plate, a blurred rear plate, and no windshield wipers. And the ground effects lighting is kind of cheesy, MB, we all know it’s not going to be on the final product.
Revolutionary technology deserves revolutionary design but sadly, this SUV/CUV/ABC/XYZ design isn’t it. As another comment seen elsewhere, this looks like an electronic Ford Edge Sport
Black hoods and roofs are here to stay…
Oh goody, more vaporware. The Mercedes-Benz brand has only one actual EV for sale, the half-assed B-class…and they didn’t even do the work on it themselves, but rather bought the single ass cheek from Tesla.