EQA releasing in June, for $85,500

 Mercedes’ baby electric aiming for models popular with Kiwis

MERCEDES’ second all-electric car, the EQA 250 compact crossover, will launch in New Zealand in June for $85,500 – a price comparable with the petrol model it derives as well as three key established sub-$100,000 electrics: The Hyundai Kona EV, Kia Niro and Tesla Model 3.

Benz says the smaller sister model to its $142,000 EQC model, which is the current holder of the New Zealand Car of the Year, is expected to create a new entry point to Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle ownership here, “as the latest addition to the popular and increasingly diverse compact passenger vehicle family.” 

It says the model, which apes the EQC in being on a platform shared with a fossil-fuelled car – in this instance, the GLA (whereas EQC is off the GLC underpinning) - should fill a particularly sweet spot.

Globally, SUVs account for one in every three Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles sold, compact models comprise one-in-four. It also notes that customer interest in the Mercedes-Benz EQ brand and its expanding portfolio of all-electric and mild hybrid models is at an all-time high around the world.

With a driving range of up to 480km, as measured under Australian Design Rules, the EQA 250 will  adequately cover not just the daily commute for most customers, but adds the flexibility to plan extra-urban road trips and weekends away, the brand suggests.

The EQA 250 can be recharged at home via a Mercedes-Benz wallbox or standard 240-volt wall plug, while the growing network of rapid and ultra-rapid chargers adds the option of fast top-ups on the go.

The EQA 250 is powered by an asynchronous electric motor at the front axle with a rated output of 140kW and 375Nm, via a single-speed spur gear set. The transmission ratio and gear wheels have been configured for the requirements of the front-wheel drive system.

Beneath the floor as part of the integral vehicle structure is a ‘double-decker’ 420-volt lithium-ion battery with five modules and 200 cells, creating usable energy content of 66.5 kWh and combined electrical consumption of 16.2 kWh per 100km. The battery is part of an intelligent thermal management system, which can be cooled or heated as required via a coolant-fed plate underneath the battery, ensuring it can be kept within optimal temperature range for operation and charging.

Via the Type 2 CCS plug and supplied charging cables (one for a domestic socket, with an eight metre cable; the other a five metre fixture for public charging stations), the EQA can achieve from 10-80 percent charge on the wallbox in around four hours and 15 minutes (AC connection with at least 11 kW), and from 10-80 percent charge with a rapid charger in 30 minutes (DC connection with a 100kW supply).

The car steps away from the GLA styling in much the same way that the EQC easily differentiates from an GLC.

 Styling signatures include a black panel grille, divided into two by a louvre, highlighting the central star that is a hallmark of the brand. A horizontal fibre-optic strip connects the daytime running lights of the full-LED headlights, ensuring a high level of recognisability both in daylight and at night. Blue colour highlights within the headlight reinforce the signature EQ appearance. The front wing features a badge in high-gloss black with EQA lettering in blue. 

The rear end also includes characteristic EQ features. The LED tail lights merge seamlessly into the tapered LED light strip, underlining the impression of width in the rear view of the EQA.

Additionally, the EQA is distinguished by front and rear aprons in chrome, while the roof rails and waistline and window-line trim strips are polished aluminium.

The EQA has adjustable damping suspension with multi-link rear, a direct steer system and Dynamic Select driving mode selection, and rides on 19-inch AMG 5-twin spoke light-alloy wheels.

It achieves the MBUX infotainment system, including voice control (‘Hey Mercedes’) and 10.25-inch centre touchscreen that is the hub for functions such as navigation, media playback, telephony and vehicle functionality. A second 10.25-inch screen forms a customisable digital instrument cluster for the driver.

Other convenience functions include keyless entry and start, a powered tailgate with handsfree access, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto, plus wireless charging for selected mobile devices, heated and electrically adjustable front seats with memory function, automatic climate control including remotely actuated pre-entry climate control, Artico artificial leather upholstery and a leather multi-function sports steering wheel, and a DAB+ digital radio tuner.

The standard safety fitment includes active distance assist cruise control with automatic restart, route-based speed adaptation, and a range of active assists including steering, braking, lane keeping and blind-spot monitoring. Traffic sign assist and a parking package including parking assist and reversing camera, feature. It has nine airbags.

For a limited time, the EQA 250 can be specified with an exclusive Edition 1 package, which costs an additional $7300.

This includes a comprehensive selection of additional features and distinctive interior and exterior cosmetic enhancements. The brand has not said how many Edition 1 cars are designated for NZ.

Key highlights of the package include 20-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels finished exclusively in matt copper, an AMG Line exterior trim and further gloss-black details, Neva grey leather and blue upholstery, backlit trim elements, blue stitching for the door panels and centre console, air vents in silver chrome and energy blue, sports multifunction steering wheel with flat bottom and perforated grips, AMG pedals, illuminated door sill panels, Edition 1 floor mats, and a unique vehicle key with copper-coloured surround.

EQA on fast boat to NZ

Mercedes’ second electric car has been unveiled – and it’s coming here soon.

 KIWIS keen to express their electric car enthusiasm from behind a three-pointed star won’t have too long to wait for the EQA unveiled to the world overnight.

Mercedes Benz New Zealand says it expects the wholly battery-compelled small sports utility will be here in mid-2021, with a front-drive, single motor EQA 250 derivative leading the introduction.  

The Auckland-based operation says information about pricing and specification of what will stand as the first compact premium electric crossover on the market will become available closer to the car’s release.

Effectively an all-electric version of the GLA small SUV – it’s based on a modified version of the platform currently used by that car and the A Class - the introductory edition presents with a single electric motor located on the front axle and feeding from a 66.5kWh battery pack.

The powertrain develops 140kW of power and 375Nm of torque and promises 426km range on the New Zealand-recognised WLTP scale (or 486km on the outmoded NEDC rating). 

The maker vouches a 0-100kmh sprint time of 8.9 seconds and cites an electronically-limited top speed of 160kmh.

The slightly slovenly step-off seems a repercussion of the podgy kerb weight, an unavoidable with battery inclusion.

At 2040kg the model weighs some 555kg more than a front-drive, petrol-powered GLA 200, which runs a 120kW/250Nm 1.3-litre turbo petrol and achieves the legal open road limit from a standing start in 8.6 seconds. 

The EQA line-up is set to expand with a twin-motor, all-wheel drive variant that will much snappier: Some are saying 0-100kmh in five seconds. The company has told media in Europe it’ll generate “more than 200kW” and also have 500Nm of torque.

Meantime, Benz says the EQA 250 will take 30 minutes to reach 80 percent capacity using a 100kW fast-charging station.

EQA is the second full electric for Mercedes here, following the much larger $142,900 EQC that holds status as the 2020 New Zealand car of the year, as awarded by the New Zealand motoring Writers’ Guild, and is the first of six new EQ-branded electric vehicles to arrive before the end of 2022.

EQC also shares DNA with a combustion-engined model, the GLE sports utility, but that convenience isn’t a long-term pitch; other incoming Benz electrics are going to be on a bespoke platform.

Mercedes assures that using the GLA/A-Class underpinning for EQA has not required any particular compromise. It says adapting the chassis to make space for an electric motor and a battery pack under the vehicle’s floor was straightforward, as it was always designed for an electric application.

The GLA’s platform was, however, extensively strengthened to support the added weight of the battery pack. Also, new under-floor cross members were implemented under the floor and the car achieves a guard for the front of the battery pack to prevent it from being punctured in the event of an accident.

In an effort to squeeze the maximum possible amount of range out of the car’s battery pack, Mercedes’s engineers paid particular attention to the EQA’s shape when it was on the drawing board.

Hence, while it obviously has strong familial association with the GLA and A-Class, the electric model’s association with EQC is probably equally if not more patent. As with the larger model, the lines have been softened and the  frontal area has been made as smooth as possible, to improve the aero. This is also why the car’s underside is also completely enclosed by an undertray. The end result is a drag coefficient of just 0.28Cd.

Mercedes’ next electric models seem set to be the EQB, a seven-seater sports utility, and the EQS, a high-end all-electric luxury alternate the marque’s traditional flagship, the S-class. Mercedes recently showed off a full-width digital dashboard, it calls the hyperscreen, that will go into the EQS.