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-   -   Mercedes launches entry level all-electric crossover, the EQA (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/electric-cars/232253-mercedes-launches-entry-level-all-electric-crossover-eqa.html)

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the EQA - its first all-electric crossover.

As the name suggests, the EQA is based on the GLA and uses the latter's body shell with a few modifications. The cosmetic changes include a glossy front fascia instead of a conventional grille and full-LED headlights. The rear features wraparound tail lights with an LED light bar in between.

The interior of the EQA looks similar to the GLA's cabin. The dashboard consists of dual displays - one for the instrument cluster and the other for the MBUX infotainment system. In addition to the Night Package, there are two design packages to choose from - Electric Art and AMG Line. The Edition 1 model comes with leather and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Powering the EQA 250 is a single electric motor producing 188 BHP. It is powered by a 66.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is claimed to offer a maximum range of 486 km (NEDC). A dual-motor version with a 500 km range will be introduced at a later date.









Link to the Team-BHP News

Mod Note: Our Mercedes EQA 250+ Review has been taken live at this link. Please continue the discussion over on the new thread. Thanks!

I hope Mercedes use the opportunity of change that EVs bring to significantly improve the reliability of their cars to the pristine standards they held 30 years ago and improve the leg space in the rear seat which is usually short unless you get to the E-class range. Time to go back to the star on the hood and get rid of that giant star on the grill. Never waste a good crises or a big opportunity of change forced on you.

That grill looks extremely cheap, the GLA's front-end looks miles better than this IMO

EQA is the name of the new entry-level model to the all-electric world of Mercedes-EQ vehicles. A close relation of the GLA, but with an electric powertrain.

Let's begin with a trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CdOQKd7epo

EQA is launched as EQA 250 with prices in Germany starting at 47,540.50 Euros.

Drive system layout
Drive : Front axle
Electric motor type: Asynchronous motor (ASM)
Rated output: 140/190 kW/hp
Rated torque: 375Nm

Front-axle transmission
Type: Single-speed spur gear set
Recuperation performance, max. 140 kW

Battery
Type: Lithium-ion
Number of cells: 200
Number of modules: 5 modules
Rated voltage: 420V
Capacity (usable): 66.5kWh
On-board charger (AC): 11kW
Charging time at a Wallbox (10-100%) : 5:45h
DC charging (max): 100kW
Charging time with rapid charging (10-80% SoC): 30min

Suspension
Front axle: MacPherson suspension with spring strut and transverse control arm, coil springs, twin-tube gas-filled shock absorbers, stabiliser bar
Rear axle: Multi-link, coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers, stabiliser

Brake system
Vented disc brakes at the front, electric parking brake, ABS, Brake Assist, ESP®

Steering
Electrically assisted rack-and-pinion power steering system

Wheels
7.5 J x 18 H2

Tyres
235/55 R 18

Dimensions and weights
Wheelbase: 2729 mm
Front/rear track: 1585/1584 mm
Length/width/height: 4463/1834/1620 mm
Turning circle: 11.4m
Boot capacity: 340-1230 Litres
Kerb weight: 2040 kg
Payload: 430 kg
GVWR: 2470 kg

Performance, consumption, emissions
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 8.9 Seconds
Top speed: 160 km/h
Range (NEDC): 486km
Combined fuel consumption (NEDC): 15.7 kWh/100km or 157Wh/km
Range (WLTP): 426km
Combined fuel consumption (NEDC): 17.7 kWh/100km or 177Wh/km


Watch digital world premiere:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_iHPZAbKME

Pictures:

Anyone else getting I20 Active vibes or is it just me?

486km is on the overly optimistic NEDC. Better not get excited without the fine print.
Realistically only around 380km WLTP, and even worse EPA range.

Why are they even using NEDC in advertising for Europe? Just to get past the 400km/250mi threshold.

Now the 2nd key question - what is the GC?
(1st Indian question being average)

426 km in WLTP. I expected better charging speed, 100kw is too slow for a modern EV coming from a luxury brand.

According to below article it is 200mm, too good to be true.

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/ele...cedes-benz-eqa

Thank you for sharing this data and the videos. Please could you let me know what do NEDC and WLTP stand for? And what accounts for the difference in range between the two measures.

At 2 tonnes that is a heavy car. I expect over the next 10 years with new materials and new layouts the EVs will get lighter. As with aircraft so with EVs every kg of weight saved is directly proportional to range increased. Great to see Mercedes jumping onto the EV train. Interestingly enough EVs in design and layout mimic ICE cars when they really don't need to. It is also thus to not dump too much change on the customer at one go. Early Edwardian cars also looked like horse drawn carriages but without the horses. I expect by 2035 EVs to look completely different.:)

By 2040 Team BHP will have a section named ICS cars of Yesteryears.;)

NEDC is New European Driving Cycle which is the old protocol for testing cars from the 80s which was replaced by WLTP Worldwide Light vehicle harmonised Testing Procedure in 2017.

I am attaching some pictorials from their website to help understand the difference.

Given how fast Tesla and electric car companies from China are progressing, this car is underwhelming or worse an embarrassment when you think how long the road is for these legacy car companies to even catch up.

190 odd bhp electric motor just isnt enough, it basically kills one of the USP for electric cars i.e. performance and this is in Germany no less, the country which gave us the autobahn, second its based on an ICE car platform which means it is compromised from the start vs a platform developed solely for electric propulsion. The interiors are nice in the sense that it has got multi color ambient lighting etc but the technology isnt even a patch on the Tesla. If this is what they mean by "the competition is coming", these companies might as well not exist in 10 years time. It might even be true.

Like all new-age Mercedes cars, I feel they have nailed the design department, but on the downside, the differentiation between EQ models and the standard ones (GLA in this case) is minimal.

I feel Mercedes will be the one leading the pack (among the big-three Germans), with EQB, EQS, and EQE coming later this year, and the large EQ SUVs to follow in 2022.

Absolutely agree. The performance specs are only a little better than our desi Nexon EV. The range in km/kWh is also fairly similar. So it’s a lot of noise over nothing much. This product is unbecoming of a Mercedes. Tesla has moved the game so far ahead in the premium segment.

This could have been a Model 3 kind of moment for Merc. From what I see, I am totally underwhelmed. And I have extra admiration for what Tata has achieved with its EVs.

Dont the motors on the axles increase the unsprung weight ? Is it an issue ?

Looks small and not sure what the rear seat space is going to be. Also like their use of A, C, E and S in their sedans/SUVs/electrics :) You can easily place them in the hierarchy.

Thanks for the explanation. So if were to compare this to Indian EV km figures, should we compare the NEDC or WLTP range.