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The all-electric Mercedes EQA is being pushed through the final stages of its development cycle, ahead of its launch at the end of this year. The finished production model will hit showrooms in early 2021.
When it arrives, the EQA will be unique in the premium segment as the only fully electric compact crossover. Competitors from Audi and BMW are still years away from production – and the Tesla Model Y is still yet to make it onto UK shores – so Mercedes will hope to steal a march on its rivals by diving into the segment first.
New 2021 Mercedes EQA: design
Our exclusive images preview how the finished car will look. It will borrow a range of design cues from its larger sibling, the EQC, with similar thin LED headlamps, a blanked off radiator grille and aerodynamically efficient bumpers, which should help to eke every last mile of range from the electric crossover’s body.
This design theme will continue over a range of future EQ models, including the upcoming seven-seat EQB SUV and the EQS saloon. Mercedes’s design chief, Gordon Wagner, commented: “The EQ brand obviously needs a purpose-made language. We showed that with the EQS concept car we revealed last year.
Mercedes EQA concept - rear static
Mercedes EQA concept - Frankfurt front/side
Mercedes EQA - side teaser
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image Automedia
image Automedia
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Mercedes EQA concept - front cornering
Mercedes EQA concept - full rear
“That shows our language and, when it comes to EQA and EQB, of course, they will share that language and they will share a family resemblance within EQ. They will carry the EQ form identity with a similar face and integration of the grille and headlights we have shown on many cars already.”
The EQA was initially designed to be an A-Class sized hatchback, as shown by the Concept EQA from the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. However, Mercedes’s engineers have since shifted the car’s proportions towards that of a compact crossover.
The reasons for this decision are twofold. First, using a crossover as the basis for an electric vehicle provides more space to store the powertrain’s large battery cells without significantly impacting the car’s cabin and boot space.
Secondly (in what’s thought to have been a stronger argument for the brand’s drastic design change from the show car), Mercedes can charge a much higher premium for crossovers, which will help to offset the €10 billion investment the company has sunk into the EQ project.
Mercedes EQA concept - rear static
Mercedes EQA concept - Frankfurt front/side
Mercedes EQA - side teaser
image
image Automedia
image Automedia
image
image
Mercedes EQA concept - front cornering
Mercedes EQA concept - full rear
New 2021 Mercedes EQA: powertrain
Due to its size, the EQA will be based on a modified version of the platform currently used by the A-Class hatchback and GLA crossover. Despite having roots as a platform for combustion-engined cars, the underpinnings offer some flexibility, allowing Mercedes to fit an electric motor on each axle and up to a 60kWh battery pack along the chassis’ spine.
The electric powertrain’s total system output will vary depending on the size of the battery installed (which will also affect the EQA’s price), but Mercedes says the most powerful version will have more than 268bhp. There’ll also be more than 500Nm of torque available, which should give the crossover a 0–62mph of around five seconds.
Mercedes claims the EQA will have a real-world range of around 250 miles between charges. What’s more, the German company has previously stated that all of its future electric models will feature rapid-charging technology, which will allow 60 miles of range to be added in just 10 minutes.
Check out the these new cars due in 2020...
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When it arrives, the EQA will be unique in the premium segment as the only fully electric compact crossover. Competitors from Audi and BMW are still years away from production – and the Tesla Model Y is still yet to make it onto UK shores – so Mercedes will hope to steal a march on its rivals by diving into the segment first.
New 2021 Mercedes EQA: design
Our exclusive images preview how the finished car will look. It will borrow a range of design cues from its larger sibling, the EQC, with similar thin LED headlamps, a blanked off radiator grille and aerodynamically efficient bumpers, which should help to eke every last mile of range from the electric crossover’s body.
This design theme will continue over a range of future EQ models, including the upcoming seven-seat EQB SUV and the EQS saloon. Mercedes’s design chief, Gordon Wagner, commented: “The EQ brand obviously needs a purpose-made language. We showed that with the EQS concept car we revealed last year.
Mercedes EQA concept - rear static
Mercedes EQA concept - Frankfurt front/side
Mercedes EQA - side teaser
image
image Automedia
image Automedia
image
image
Mercedes EQA concept - front cornering
Mercedes EQA concept - full rear
“That shows our language and, when it comes to EQA and EQB, of course, they will share that language and they will share a family resemblance within EQ. They will carry the EQ form identity with a similar face and integration of the grille and headlights we have shown on many cars already.”
The EQA was initially designed to be an A-Class sized hatchback, as shown by the Concept EQA from the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. However, Mercedes’s engineers have since shifted the car’s proportions towards that of a compact crossover.
The reasons for this decision are twofold. First, using a crossover as the basis for an electric vehicle provides more space to store the powertrain’s large battery cells without significantly impacting the car’s cabin and boot space.
Secondly (in what’s thought to have been a stronger argument for the brand’s drastic design change from the show car), Mercedes can charge a much higher premium for crossovers, which will help to offset the €10 billion investment the company has sunk into the EQ project.
Mercedes EQA concept - rear static
Mercedes EQA concept - Frankfurt front/side
Mercedes EQA - side teaser
image
image Automedia
image Automedia
image
image
Mercedes EQA concept - front cornering
Mercedes EQA concept - full rear
New 2021 Mercedes EQA: powertrain
Due to its size, the EQA will be based on a modified version of the platform currently used by the A-Class hatchback and GLA crossover. Despite having roots as a platform for combustion-engined cars, the underpinnings offer some flexibility, allowing Mercedes to fit an electric motor on each axle and up to a 60kWh battery pack along the chassis’ spine.
The electric powertrain’s total system output will vary depending on the size of the battery installed (which will also affect the EQA’s price), but Mercedes says the most powerful version will have more than 268bhp. There’ll also be more than 500Nm of torque available, which should give the crossover a 0–62mph of around five seconds.
Mercedes claims the EQA will have a real-world range of around 250 miles between charges. What’s more, the German company has previously stated that all of its future electric models will feature rapid-charging technology, which will allow 60 miles of range to be added in just 10 minutes.
Check out the these new cars due in 2020...
The Aston Martin Vantage has lost its roof and none of its potency in Roadster guise.
BMW’s first all-electric SUV is the iX3 and it promises 273 miles of range from a 282bhp motor.
Mercedes claims its new electric luxury passenger van can cover 250 miles on a single charge. And, with a rapid-charging function, the EQV can reach 62 miles of range in just 15 minutes.
Toyota will be expecting much praise for this inspired hot hatch developed by the team responsible for the manufacturer’s World Rally Championship cars. With a three-door body, a bespoke suspension set-up, clever four-wheel-drive system and a 257bhp 1.6-l
Mercedes’ most luxurious SUV uses a turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 and 48-volt hybrid system, with lots of customisation options
The S-Class luxury limo will be available with a familiar exterior design, but lots of new on-board tech - including a Tesla-style screen on the centre console.
Yes, there’s still the famous ash-wood frame, but the Plus Four is built on a new bonded-aluminium platform and is powered by a BMW-sourced, 255bhp four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol engine.
Like night follows day, the new BMW 3 Series will be followed by a searing hot M3 version. We’re expecting 510bhp from the twin-turbo straight-six.
With new hybrid engine tech and a host of safety features, the tardis-like Honda Jazz just got a bit smarter.
Rugged 4x4 looks, matched with the latest EV technology, Jeep will be hoping for big things from its all-wheel drive Renegade PHEV
Continue reading...