The “Concept EQA”, revealed at the Frankfurt motor show alongside the Project ONE hypercar, is Mercedes-Benz’s first all-electric EQ concept vehicle in the compact segment.
Featuring permanent all-wheel drive as well as two electric motors capable of delivering a system output of 200 kW and maximum torque of over 369 lb-ft, the German manufacturer claims the prospective BMW i3-rival sprints from 0 to 62 mph in around five seconds while achieving a range of around 249 miles.
The new car follows on from last year’s “Concept EQ” SUV design study, which marked the official launch of the German manufacturer’s new EQ electric car sub-brand.
Like the SUV, the hatchback’s visual identity is dominated by the black panel at the front end that acts as a virtual radiator grille, changing its look according to the drive mode. In the “Sport” drive mode, for example, the grille depicts a flaming wing in horizontal format, while in “Sport Plus” mode vertical struts in the style of a Panamericana radiator grille are displayed. Common to both grille variants is the illuminated central star.
At the back, the large, wrap-around rear window extends around the sides as far as the shoulders that encompass 20-inch wheels. Beneath the black window is a lighting strip, which also extends across the entire width of the vehicle. Like the headlamps at the front, the rear lamps use laser fibre technology instead of more conventional laser diodes.
“With the Mercedes-Benz Concept EQA, our electric initiative is gathering pace: by 2022 Mercedes-Benz Cars will have more than ten all-electric vehicles on the market,” says Mercedes boss, Dieter Zetsche.
The first series-produced model of the new EQ product brand, the EQC, is set to be produced at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen from 2019. It is based on the SUV exhibited in Paris last year.
