Mercedes-Benz has launched the EQC, the first of a family of 10 electric-powered vehicles to be introduced by the German carmaker to the Irish market over the next two years.
The EQC, part of the new Mercedes-Benz ‘EQ ‘ division, is the first fully electric-powered passenger car from the company.
Ciaran Allen, sales manager for Mercedes passenger vehicles in Ireland, says the EQC is “conceived to meet all the requirements for a battery-electric drive system while meeting every demand in terms of contemporary, sustainable mobility”.
The other models in a 10-vehicle pipeline scheduled to launch here between now and 2022 are an EQV personnel carrier, EQA, EQB, EQS and EQE models based on current petrol and diesel equivalents from Mercedes, with others still to be announced.
Marketed through a small, geographically selected body of dealers recruited from the wider Mercedes-Benz dealer network, sales of EQC will commence in earnest during quarter four, ahead of the 2020 registrations period and after the necessary technical staff training and familiarisation processes have been completed.
Heading the model offering will be an EQC 400 4-Matic, 300Kw/408hp model, starting at €89,450. A fully specified EQC ‘Edition 1886' version will also be available at €105,882, or €95,882 when the SEAI grant and VRT tax rebate are deducted.
The EQC has a range of more than 450kms (about 280 miles ) with combined power consumption of 22.2kWh/100kms, producing zero emissions.
Standard battery power is 80kWh. Power output is 408hp/765Nm delivering an acceleration figure of 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds.
Its lithium-ion battery, for which a standard home charging system, a grant-supported overnight charging ‘wallbox’ system, or a fast, rapid-charging system to bring power up from 10 to 80 per cent in just 40-minutes, are available – comes with an eight-years or 160,000kms factory guarantee.
Among the features awaiting EQC owners are the driving characteristics of an all-wheel drive vehicle and selectable driving modes, each with different characteristics.
Behind the wheel, driver and passengers will be cosseted in classic Mercedes levels of luxury, comfort and technology, while being impressed by its overall sense of silence and ‘rocket-like’ power and acceleration. Noticeable also is its low centre of gravity, thanks to the floor-level positioning of the battery and power drives.
Inside features a MBUX multimedia system and ‘Hey Mercedes’ driver assist and command features. A display of range, charge status, energy flow and other latest-generation driving assistance systems are also included.
