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 Concept EQ exhibited in Paris last year.

Mercedes-Benz Concept EQ and smart vision EQ fortwo: further EQ show cars

The Concept EQ (Paris Motor Show 2016) - a study with the look of a sporty SUV coupé - heralded the launch of the new EQ technology and product brand. Inside too the four-seater vehicle offers innovative solutions. The focus of the driver-oriented cockpit is on simple, touch-based controls with a new electric aesthetic, consistently reflecting the exterior styling.

The smart vision EQ fortwo, like the Mercedes-Benz Concept EQA, will enjoy its world premiere at the 2017 International Motor Show in Frankfurt. The smart show car provides a new vision of urban mobility and individualised, highly flexible local public transport: the autonomous concept vehicle picks up its passengers directly from their chosen location. New individualisation options help users to recognise that it is "their" vehicle: the black panel on the front, the LED displays in place of the headlamps and rear lamps and the large projection surfaces on the sides of the smart vision EQ fortwo allow an unprecedented degree of vehicle individualisation, ideal for car sharing. Freed from the task of driving, the passengers are able to relax in the large interior.

The design: Design statement with compelling proportions

Following the Concept A Saloon (Auto Shanghai 2017), the Concept EQA is another example of the logical evolution of the Sensual Purity design idiom: sharp edges and lines have been significantly reduced on this sporty two-door model. The Concept EQA is the first Mercedes-Benz all-electric concept vehicle in the compact segment and, like the Concept EQ, this latest member of the EQ family also embodies progressive luxury. Balanced proportions, sensual surfaces and stimulating graphic contrasts make this a highly attractive vehicle. Add future-defining electric mobility, and the result is a bipolarity of emotion and intelligence: the show car is both hot and cool at the same time.

The Concept EQA's purist design, with its emphasis on surfaces and clear contours, gives the vehicle a supremely sporty and modern character as well as accurately designed details with a high value and degree of exclusivity. The Concept EQA has the potential to usher in a new design era.

With its two-box design and its short overhangs, the Concept EQA (length/width/height: 4285/1810/1428 mm; wheelbase: 2729 mm) has dynamic and compact proportions. Short overhangs, particularly at the rear, and the shallow greenhouse, which is positioned well back, emphasise the volume of the vehicle body, while the integration of modern graphics creates a unique, sporty character. The alubeam paint finish produces a powerful contrast with the black panoramic glass roof and with the black panels. The muscular wheel arches emphasise the exclusive 20-inch wheels.

Instead of a conventional radiator grille, the show car features a black panel with integrated LED matrix at the front, flowing seamlessly out of the bonnet. This black panel is a virtual radiator grille which can completely change in appearance: the Concept EQA shows the surrounding world which drive program the driver has selected via an animated design in the virtual grille. In the "Sport" drive program 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.

The headlamps are seamlessly embedded in the black panel grille and, together with the animated 3D grille, produce the new EQ face. The signet of the daytime running lamps reflects the hallmark Mercedes-Benz look. This underlines the feel of effortless superiority and sportiness. The blue lines are continued in the bumpers, giving the vehicle a lower-slung look.

When it comes to the light technology, Mercedes-Benz has opted for laser fibres. Unlike laser diodes, where electrical energy flows into a semiconductor, here a laser-activated medium is embedded in the centre of a fibre-optic cable. This new technology ensures homogeneous lighting of the road and, from a design point of view, creates a three-dimensional look with precise contours. The spiral-shaped light signet underlines the electric concept, its design evoking the copper windings of an electric motor and the animation visualising electrical impulses.

The large, wrap-around rear window extends around the sides as far as the muscular shoulders. Beneath the black window is a lighting strip, which also extends across the entire width of the vehicle, underlining the sporty nature of the Concept EQA. Like the headlamps at the front, the rear lamps also use laser fibre technology and also visualise electrical impulses.

Further black panels at the front (central star and radiator grille surround), rear (bumpers) and sides (graphical element above side sills) of the Concept EQA accommodate LED strips. These are elements of a unique welcome light, which could be activated during the remote parking process, for example.

Powertrain: The electric athlete in the compact segment

The Concept EQA features a powerful electric drive system: two electric motors with a system output that can be increased to over 200 kW thanks to scalable battery components, and permanent all-wheel drive ensure high driving dynamics. The two drive programs offer a choice of individual drive characteristics.

The Concept EQA has one electric motor at the front axle and one at the rear. The total output is over 200 kW and maximum torque is over 500 Nm. The electric athlete sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in around 5 seconds. The impressive driving dynamics and ride safety come courtesy of the electric all-wheel drive system with axle-variable torque distribution and the battery installed deep in the vehicle floor between the axles.

The two drive programs "Sport" and "Sport Plus" offer a different front to rear torque distribution, allowing the driver a choice of individual performance characteristics.

In combination with the intelligent Mercedes-Benz operating strategy, the Concept EQA achieves a range of around 400 kilometres. The vehicle can be charged via induction or wallbox and is also ready for rapid charging (see separate section). At a rapid charging station the Concept EQA can be charged enough in less than 10 minutes to produce a range of 100 km.

In addition to its internal development and production expertise and its modular strategy for alternative powertrains, part of Daimler AG's philosophy is to ensure that it has direct access to key components for electric mobility. The highly efficient lithium-ion battery with pouch cells is supplied by the Daimler subsidiary Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE. Thanks to their modular design, the innovative battery systems have a model-specific total capacity of over 60 kWh.