Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its new seven-seater electric family SUV called the EQB.
The battery-powered zero-emissions vehicle has made its global debut at this month’s Shanghai Motor Show.
Mercedes-Benz said: ‘As a seven-seater the new EQB offers space for many family constellations and a wide variety of transport needs. This gives it an exceptional position among electric cars.’
Mercedes’ electric charge continues: This is the new EQB – the German brand’s zero-emission seven-seat SUV due to hit the market this year
Designed to be ‘compact on the outside, spacious on the inside’, the two seats in the third row can be used by people up to 5 ft 4 inches tall, and child seats can also be fitted there.
In China, the new EQB is being launched as a fully equipped top-of-the-range model with AMG Line and an output of 215 kW. It will be produced in Beijing and will be on sale there in China later this year.
In Europe, right from the start customers will have the choice between several models with front-wheel and all-wheel drive and various power levels, some rated at over 200 kW.
The European version destined for the UK will also be launched this year. Further details – including equipment levels and pricing – will be revealed later in 2021.
It is built at the German car-giant’s Kecskemét factory in Hungary, which already manufactures the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake plug-in hybrid models and will soon produce the A-Class with plug-in hybrid drive. The EQB goes on sale in the USA next year.
The EQB is an electrified alternative to the petrol and diesel GLB SUV, which start from just under £37,000 in the UK
With a seven-seat layout, this is the second biggest electric model from Mercedes, behind the £70,00 EQV people carrier
The extended platform means there’s space for two seats in the back for larger families
The two seats in the third row can be used by people up to 5 ft 4 inches tall, and child seats can also be fitted there
The usable capacity of the EQB’s batteries in Europe is 66.5 kWh. These batteries are manufactured at the Daimler plants in Kamenz (Germany) and Jawor (Poland).
A long-range version is also planned. The EQB 350 4MATIC with a combined electrical consumption of 19.2 kWh/100 km promises a full-charge driving distance of up to 260 miles.
The new EQB is said to offer generous space and a maximum boot capacity of 1,710 litres, thanks to having the long wheelbase of the existing Mercedes-Benz GLB SUV.
Backrest angles in the second row can be adjusted in several stages as standard, and this row features longitudinally adjustment of 140 millimetres as an option.
The car firm said: ‘The boot is level and spacious: The load volume has the qualities of a compact estate car.’
As an option the EQB has a third row of seats with two additional individual seats.
Safety features include extractable head restraints, seat belts with belt tensioners and force limiters on all outer seats and a side window-bag that also covers passengers in the third row.
A total of up to four child seats can be fitted in rows two and three, plus one more in the front passenger seat. To increase luggage space, the third row seats can be lowered flush into the load floor.
The usable capacity of the EQB’s batteries in Europe is 66.5 kWh. The longest range of models confirmed for China is 280 miles on a full charge
A long-range version is also planned. The EQB 350 4MATIC with a combined electrical consumption of 19.2 kWh/100 km promises
The new EQB has a hi-tech interior and dashboard, though isn’t available with Mercedes’ new Hyperscreen launched in the EQS last week
Exclusive to this model are light-alloy wheels in a bi- or tri-colour design, up to 20 inches in size, in some cases with rose gold-coloured or blue decorative trim.
It has LED tail lamps and studded roof rails and a hi-tech interior and dashboard.
At home or at public charging stations, the EQB can be charged at up to 11kW with alternating current (AC) using the onboard charger. Using a DC charging unit up to 100kW, charging time to 80 per cent is then just over 30 minutes.
Driving and safety features include: active lane keeping and brake assist, and pedestrian and cyclist alert.
The new EQB is said to offer generous space. It has a maximum boot capacity of 1,710 litres
Exclusive to this model are light-alloy wheels in a bi- or tri-colour design, up to 20 inches in size, in some cases with rose gold-coloured or blue decorative trim
The standard Navigation with Electric Intelligence calculates the fastest route to the destination, taking into account maximum charging power and the duration of possible charging stops. It also ensures that the high-voltage battery is brought to an optimal charging temperature before a planned charging stop, as needed.
Gorden Wagener, chief design officer of Daimler Group said: ‘With the all new EQB we have created an iconic electric SUV that takes the heritage of our boxy off-road vehicles and transforms this into the future.
‘We combine the significant boxy silhouette with futuristic elements such as the black-panel front to create the extraordinary look of the vehicle.’
This year, Mercedes-Benz Cars is launching four new electric cars: the EQA, EQB, the electric business saloon EQE and the just unveiled flagship EQS electric limousine.
A large SUV based on the EQS platform is also planned.
The firm added: ‘The Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid family, currently consisting of more than 20 model variants, is being renewed with electrified derivatives of the C-Class and the S-Class.’
Safety features include extractable head restraints, seat belts with belt tensioners and force limiters on all outer seats and a side window-bag that also covers passengers in the third row
At home or at public charging stations, the EQB can be charged at up to 11kW with alternating current (AC) using the onboard charger
Using a DC charging unit up to 100kW, charging time to 80 per cent is then just over 30 minutes, says Mercedes
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