Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ — 300 kW & 500 Kilometers (NEDC)

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The all-electric Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ concept SUV — the forerunner of the company’s new product brand for electric vehicles, EQ — has made its official world premiere at the ongoing Paris Motor Show, giving us some new information on the concept car.

The Generation EQ concept apparently features two electric motors (front and rear axles), a total system output of up to 300 kW, a range of up to 500 kilometers on the inflated NEDC testing cycle, permanent all-wheel drive, a 0–100 kilometers/hour time under 5 seconds, and a lithium-ion battery-pack with “over 70” kWh/kilowatt-hours of capacity. The batteries are being produced by Daimler subsidiary Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE.

For those wondering about the name, “EQ” apparently stands for “Electric Intelligence” — a reference to the Mercedes-Benz “Emotion and Intelligence” slogan.

“The mobility of the future at Mercedes-Benz will stand on four pillars: Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric. ‘Generation EQ’ is the logical fusion of all four pillars,” stated Dr Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes‑Benz Cars. “The emission-free automobile is the future. And our new EQ brand goes far beyond electric vehicles. EQ stands for a comprehensive electric ecosystem of services, technologies and innovations.”

“In 2007, the e-smart was a pioneer of electric motoring. We’re now flipping the switch. We’re ready for the launch of an electric product offensive that will cover all vehicle segments, from the compact to the luxury class.”

I guess taking a page from Tesla (the Model 3 in particular) there’s this bit here from the press release: “The focus of the driver-oriented cockpit is on simple, touch-based controls with a new electro-look consistently reflecting the exterior styling. The asymmetrical design of the instrument panel with its large, floating wide-screen display is tailored to the driver. The innovative, digital user experience differentiates ‘Generation EQ’ from the familiar control logic in today’s vehicles, while giving a peek into the future of user interaction at Mercedes‑Benz.”

Here’s a bit more from the press release: “With a new exterior and interior light signature, the inventor of the automobile presents the design trend for future electric vehicles with the star: the distinguishing mark of ‘Generation EQ’ is the ‘Black Panel’ front grille: the white-illuminated Mercedes star and all the light elements are integrated in this seamlessly glazed design element. The blue-illuminated surround gives a completely new interpretation of the typical Mercedes radiator grille. Illuminated LED optical fibres in electric blue produce a light show with exciting touches of colour.

Continuing: “The rear lamps are of matching design, taking up the contour of the ‘Black Panel’ and surrounded by an LED optical fibre in electric blue, which changes to red when the vehicle is moving and acts as a tail light. The central Mercedes star at the rear end is likewise illuminated in white. Similarly to the front end, the clasp-like light signature on the outside changes to orange as soon as the direction indicator is operated… As the driver approaches the car, it automatically activates to welcome him or her with a specific colour mood in the interior. The welcome scenario is rounded off by digital light in the perforated interior door panels. Once the driver has taken their place, the lighting mood switches to electric blue, with the lights in the doors and on the seats dimming slowly. The wide-screen display gradually builds up to present the energy level. The navigation map shows all the destinations that can be reached on the current battery charge.”

Notably, the Generation EQ features the company’s latest “driver assist systems” — which includes the ability for the vehicle to “automatically adjust the speed and driving dynamics to give the driver even greater comfort and relaxation.” A bit unexciting considering the talk coming from some other companies.

Mercedes is widely recognized as #2 to Tesla in driver assist (aka Autopilot) tech, but it is a big step below Tesla according to recent reviews.

The EQ certainly seems like a step forward for Mercedes, but it’s still seemingly a ways off.