Mercedes-Benz flips the switch on EQ in South Africa

Aiming to outdo each other on various fronts has become the hallmark of the German big three, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, ever since the first two launched an offensive on the three-pointed star.

Whether it be performance or first-time innovations, the battle to be the fatherland’s top premium marque has now spilled over into the electric arena, with the eagerly awaited reveal of Benz’s EQ brand in response to Ingolstadt’s e-tron and Munich’s i.

Originally previewed on South African soil by the EQC in 2019, the division’s official debut came into doubt following not only Covid-19, but also the uncertainty surrounding the country’s electricity supply.

In launching EQ in Sandton last week, new president and co-chief executive of Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa Mark Raine said, while the local landscape is not without its challenges, the initial scepticism towards electric vehicles has been changing.

“With our customer centric growth strategy curated towards the local market, a significant interest has already been shown,” Raine said.

“This interest is aided by the growth in the public charging grid including national coverage on main routes, and the number of potential customers with existing renewable energy solutions Based on these developments, we are confident that the cars we bring into the country will find many happy owners”.

The Pretoria-born native added that a total of 36 dealerships had been identified as EQ outlets, not only from a retail standout, but also servicing.

EQ buyers will not only have access to the relative dealer’s charging points, but also to the expanding public charging stations as part of Mercedes-Benz’s link-up with GridCars. As a final incentive, all EQ owners will be privy to a wall unit installed at a premise of their choice at no extra cost.

ALSO READ: Mercedes-Benz EQS revealed as all-electric future S-Class

Aside from the EQC, the EQ range will consist of four other models, starting off with the EQA in May. Shown at the launch, the GLA-derived EQA is motivated by a 66.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that develops 140kW/370Nm. Claimed range is 426 km.

The third quarter will see the debut of the EQB and the flagship EQS in 450+ guise. Like the EQA, the EQB is spun-off of an existing model, the GLB, which, while equipped with the same battery, has had its outputs increased to 215kW/520Nm. The claimed range is 423 km.

Billed as the “S-Class of the future”, the electric bespoke EQS utilises a 90-kWh electric motor that produces 245kW/550Nm. Able to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, the EQS 450+ has a claimed range of 782 km and has a limited top speed of 210 km/h.

Despite the EQS 580 being ruled out for South Africa, September will see the debut of the AMG EQS 53.

Currently Benz’s most powerful production car, the 53 boasts a 107.8-kWh battery that delivers 484kW/950Nm, or 560kW/1 020Nm when equipped with the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h with 0-100 km/h taking 3.8 seconds. The claimed range is still unknown.

Capping the range off, the EQE will become available in October, but surprisingly not in ‘standard’ 350 guise. Instead, it will be offered in AMG 43 guise, a model nothing is known about as it never formed part of the initial EQE launch last year.

Aside from the EQA’s unveiling, the launch culminated in a short drive around Sandton in the EQC. The initiator of the EQ brand, the EQC produces 300kW/760Nm in 400 form thanks to a 80-kWh battery. Claimed range is 450 km.

Despite weighing nearly 2.5 tons, the immediate response didn’t elicit a ponderous or lethargic feel. Switched to Sport mode, the response is borderline ferocious and dramatic, all without any noise.

A more detailed impression will be provided in due course, as the EQC has received the green light for Benz’s media fleet.

Like the rest of the EQ range however, pricing will only be revealed once the formal launch takes place.