The UK pricing and specification for the new EQB will be announced towards the end of the year, however, it is anticipated that Mercedes EQ will offer the EQB 300 and EQB 350 from launch with 7 seats planned as standard.
Following the EQA 250, the EQB is the second fully electric compact car from Mercedes-EQ. The powerful and efficient electric drive, clever recuperation and predictive Navigation with Electric Intelligence are just some of the features that link it to the EQA. Alongside the recently launched EQS luxury saloon, the EQB will sit between its siblings the EQA and EQC in stature.
As a seven-seater, the new EQB offers space for many family constellations and a wide variety of transport needs. This gives it an exceptional position among electric cars. The two seats in the third row can be used by people up to 5 ft 4 inches tall, and child seats can also be fitted there.
The EQB range will include several models with front-wheel and all-wheel drive, various power ratings – some of which will exceed 200 kW – plus batteries with usable capacities starting from 66.5 kWh. A particularly long-range version is also planned.
Progressive Luxury in an edgy and characterful way
The EQB interprets Mercedes-EQ's Progressive Luxury in an edgy and characterful way. It features the typical Mercedes-EQ black panel grille with central star. A further distinctive design feature of the all-electric world of Mercedes-EQ vehicles is the continuous light strip at the front and rear. A horizontal fibre-optic strip connects the daytime running lights of the full-LED headlamps, ensuring a high level of recognisability both in daylight and at night. The inside of the headlamps is finished to a high level of quality, detail and precision. Blue colour highlights within the headlamp reinforce the signature Mercedes-EQ appearance.
Sophisticated charging technology
At home or at public charging stations, the EQB can be conveniently charged at up to 11 kW using the onboard charger. Depending on the SoC (State of Charge) and the temperature of the high-voltage battery, the EQB charges at a corresponding rapid charging station with a maximum power of up to 100 kW. The charging time is then just over 30 minutes from 10-80 percent.
Cooperative support for the driver and high level of crash safety
The EQB features intelligent driving assistance systems with cooperative support for the driver. Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Brake Assist is fitted as standard. In many critical situations, the latter has the ability to prevent a collision or reduce its severity with autonomous braking. The system is also able to brake for stationary vehicles and crossing pedestrians at typical city speeds. The enhanced functions of the Driving Assistance Package include, for example, the turning manoeuvre function, the emergency corridor function, the exit warning function alerting the driver to approaching cyclists or vehicles, and a warning when pedestrians are detected near zebra crossings
The EQB in the global production network
Production of the EQB will commence in 2021 at two sites forming part of the production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars: at the Hungarian Mercedes-Benz plant in Kecskemét for the global market and at the German-Chinese joint venture BBAC in Beijing for the local market. Preparations, including staff qualification processes and reconstruction work, have already commenced at the plants. The EQB compact SUV will be the first purely electrically powered production vehicle from Hungary and will supplement the plug-in hybrid portfolio which comprises the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake. The A-Class will also be produced with plug-in hybrid drive at Kecskemét in future as well as at the German Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt, where the EQA is built.