The next Mercedes EQC SUV will move to bespoke EV platform and we’ve already caught it testing
Mercedes has been spotted putting the new second generation Mercedes EQC SUV through its paces, giving us our first glimpse of the new all-electric family car due in 2025. It’ll join an extensive range of electric SUVs in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, sitting between the compact EQA and EQB models, and the much larger EQE and EQS. It will go on to rival the BMW iX3 and Audi’s forthcoming Q6 E-tron.
The current EQC was the first unique, mass-produced all-electric model developed by Mercedes, a trailblazer that came with certain compromises in terms of range and efficiency. Yet, the model has proven to be popular, making this all-new version that much more important to get right.
Designed to sit alongside the petrol-powered GLC, the EQC will actually share very little with its combustion engined sibling and instead make the move to a totally bespoke EV chassis. This is likely to be the new Mercedes MMA architecture that’s due to be put into production in 2025, rather than the EVA platform underpinning the current EQE and EQS model lines.
These advanced underpinnings will give the new EQC a much more efficient platform to work from compared to the first generation model, and introduce the ability to house larger battery packs and more intelligently packaged electric motors. There will be the option of both single and twin motor powertrains on MMA models, with a greater emphasis on vertical integration for elements like the batteries to help reduce costs and more precisely tailor them to the EQC’s requirements.
Looking at the prototype car in our spy pictures, we can see the new Mercedes EQC will feature a balanced overall silhouette, keeping the windscreen relatively upright in contrast to the EQE’s short bonnet and extreme windscreen rake. While the windowline does drop sharply, the roofline looks to remain fairly boxy for the benefit of rear headroom.
The new EQC will also introduce a new generation of Mercedes digital interfaces and design, and will be optimised to seat five passengers.
An AMG model will not be far behind, although AMG’s high-end electric models will be put onto their own AMG.EA platform, so we’ll have to wait and see how this affects standard Mercedes EV models like this new EQC.
We expect the new EQC will be revealed some time in late 2024 or even early 2025, with production due to commence later that year.
Looking for an all-electric SUV? These are the best ones to buy right now…
Source: Read Full Article