Mercedes-Benz just threw the gauntlet down on Tesla with its new electric SUV
- Mercedes-Benz unveiled its EQC electric SUV on Tuesday.
- The vehicle will mark the debut of the automaker's electric "EQ" brand and will be available in the US in 2020.
- According to Mercedes-Benz, the EQC will have two motors that generate 564 pound-feet of torque, 402 horsepower, and the ability to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds.
- The vehicle will also include a voice-control feature the automaker says will be able to infer requests from a wide range of voice prompts.
Mercedes-Benz unveiled its EQC electric SUV on Tuesday. The vehicle will mark the debut of the automaker's electric "EQ" brand and will be available in the US in 2020.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the EQC will have two motors that generate 564 pound-feet of torque, 402 horsepower, and the ability to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The automaker says its 80kWh battery will provide up to 200 miles of range and will be able to charge from 10% to 80% capacity in 40 minutes when using a DC fast charger.
The EQC's estimated range is lower than the stated ranges from upcoming competitors like the Jaguar I-Pace (up to 240 miles) and Audi e-tron (over 248 miles), which are expected to arrive at US dealerships later this year and in 2019, respectively. The maximum range for a Tesla Model X is 295 miles.
The EQC will also include Mercedes-Benz's new user interface, MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), which features a digital instrument panel and touchscreen. Mercedes-Benz says the interface will be able to learn and predict driver tendencies, like frequent destinations and radio station choices, and make suggestions based on them.
Drivers will be able to control many of the vehicle's settings with voice control, which the automaker says will be able to infer requests from a wide range of voice prompts. For example, if a driver or passenger says the car is too cold, the vehicle will increase its temperature.
The vehicle will have semi-autonomous driver-assistance features that will be able to control the vehicle's speed in heavy traffic, provide steering assistance, and brake to avoid or limit the damage from a collision, according to Mercedes-Benz.
Production for the EQC will begin in 2019 in Bremen, Germany.
After the EQC, Mercedes-Benz will release an electric sedan. The automaker has said it plans to invest $11 billion in electric vehicles by 2022.