Mercedes-Benz electric crossovers officially go on sale in South Africa

Mercedes-Benz’s range of electric crossovers is officially on sale in South Africa, offering a choice of seven models to local motorists.

The range includes three vehicles, the EQA, EQB, and EQC, with prices as follows.

EQA:

• Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 Progressive – R1,169,500
• Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 AMG Line – R1,222,500

EQB:

• Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic Progressive – R1,374,500
• Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic AMG Line – R1,427,500
• Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic Edition 1 – R1,518,900

EQC:

• Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic – R1,679,000
• Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4 Matic AMG Line – R1,679,000

Each model is sold with a 5-year/100,000km maintenance plan and an 8-year/160,000km battery warranty.

Mercedes-Benz EQA

Described as ‘an athlete in compact form’ by Mercedes-Benz, the EQA is the entry-level model in the company’s new line-up of electric vehicles (EVs).

Powered by a 66kWh battery working together with a single front-mounted electric motor, the EQA produces 140kW and 375Nm, giving it a 0-100km/h time of 8.6 seconds.

It is certified for a range of 429km and is able to charge from 0-80% in under an hour using a 100kW DC fast-charge socket.

Available to the EQA are 20-inch alloy wheels in a bi or tri-colour design, with choices including rose gold or decorative blue.

This decorative design extends to the interior, where the ventilation outlets, instrument panels, seats, and even the vehicle key can be found in rose gold.

In terms of features, the climate control utilizes excess heat from the powertrain so as to attain maximum energy efficiency from the battery, and it also allows the crossover to preheat the cabin before entering.

Other additions include a Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) media display, keyless entry and start, customizable ambient lighting, four-way manually adjustable seats, active lane-keep assist, exit-warning function, active parking assist, a reverse camera, and a leather multifunction steering wheel.

Optional equipment on the EQA comprises a heads-up display and an augmented reality navigation tool.

Mercedes-Benz EQB

A larger crossover than the EQA, the EQB is optionally available with seven seats.

While it uses the same 66kWh battery, it gets a motor on each end providing a combined 215kW and 520Nm, resulting in an even faster sprint time of 6.2 seconds.

Its range, however, is nearly identical at 423km, and it is likewise capable of achieving an 80% charge in a little over 30 minutes using a 100kW station.

It also comes fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels in a range of coloured and the interior instruments are finished in the same colour as the alloys.

The EQB then sports a larger dashboard with a widescreen cockpit than the EQA and better legroom is afforded by the larger dimensions, with the boot accommodating anywhere from 495-1,620 litres.

Buyers of the EQB will also be able to make use of keyless-start, a reverse camera, climate control, four-way adjustable front seats with lumbar support, an artificial leather upholstery, a multifunction leather sports steering wheel, blind spot assist, park assist, and cruise control.

Mercedes-Benz EQC

With a bigger 80kWh battery and motors on each axle generating a combined 300kW and 760Nm, the EQC is the fastest car in Mercedes’ electric SUV line-up, taking just 5.1 seconds to reach 100km/h.

The increased battery size also lends itself to an improved range, as the SUV can go 437km before needing to recharge.

It does, however, mean it takes longer to get a full charge, as it takes 45 minutes to reach 80% from a 150kW rapid fast charger.

Energy efficiency is ensured through the multi-motor design, as the front motor is optimized for performance in the low to medium range, while the rear motor boosts dynamism, according to the automaker.

Five driving modes are also included, consisting of Comfort, Eco, Max Range, Sport, and Custom. The new Max Range mode utilizes the haptic feedback accelerator pedal to notify the driver to conserve power, while the Eco mode provides the driver with additional prompts and information using traffic and navigation data and road sign recognition.

The MBUX unit provides additional information on the battery state, too, and it can also assist in locating charging stations via the Mercedes me Charge service with an integrated payment function.

Among the list of other features on this SUV are climate control, suede and leather upholstery, a multifunction leather steering wheel, and assistance programmes such as lane-change warning, cruise control, front and rear park distance control, and a rear-view camera.