Spy photographers have captured the next member of the Mercedes-Benz EQ electric family.
It appears to be a new SUV that’ll slot above the existing EQC and which may be called EQE. That’s not to be confused with the EQE sedan that’ll slot in under the flagship EQS.
The earliest this new SUV is expected to launch is 2022.
It’s expected to use Mercedes-Benz’s new architecture designed exclusively for electric vehicles, known as the Modular Electric Architecture (MEA), which will also underpin the EQE sedan and EQS.
Not all of Mercedes’ electric products will use MEA, however. The upcoming EQA will share its platform with the A-Class family, while the EQV van is based on the V-Class.
Like the EQE sedan and EQS liftback, this upcoming SUV features slim headlights that flow into a large, closed-off grille.
The SUV’s use of the MEA platform appears clear based on its lengthy wheelbase and fairly low roofline, thanks to the “skateboard” architecture that allows the batteries to be placed down low.
In terms of size, it’s likely to be close to the Tesla Model X.
It’s also expected to offer more power and range than the EQC. The dual-motor EQC has a total system output of 300kW of power and 760Nm of torque, with an electric range of 353km under the WLTP system.
Interior photos reveal an expansive, portrait-oriented touchscreen that takes up the entirety of the centre stack. This is similar to the touchscreen of the upcoming EQS and next-generation S-Class.
The EQS will beat this vehicle to market when it’s introduced next year. The EQE sedan and SUV will follow, possibly as soon as 2022.
There is also a small possibility this is a next-generation EQC SUV (below).
While it might seem a little soon for a new EQC considering it’s only just arrived here, it’ll quickly prove to be somewhat of an outlier in the EQ range – at least among the larger members – as it based on MEA.
The current EQC uses a revised version of the GLC SUV’s platform, which was introduced back in 2016 and is itself related to the current C-Class.
