Production of the first Mercedes EQ electric model will begin at the firm’s Bremen plant in less than three years.
Mercedes confirmed that the site in north west Germany will build all model with intelligent drive technologies, the first of which will be an SUV in 2019.
This first EQ model will be inspired by the EGeneration EQ concept of the Paris motor show, which was a 402bhp four-wheel-drive electric SUV.
Future EQ models
Mercedes’s is planning up to 10 new electric models for its EQ sub-brand, and according to Gorden Wagener, Daimler’s head of design, we won’t have to wait long after the first model for others to appear, with a saloon set to follow the launch of the SUV.
The Generation EQ concept that was shown at the Paris show is about “90%” similar to the production model, Wagener told us, saying that only details like the lack of door mirrors and door handles would be changed for production. The front and rear end designs – with a “grille” that’s illuminated from behind – will make production in both the first EQ SUV and it’s sibling models. “That will be the defining look,” Wagener said. Based on Mercedes’s recent patent registrations, the first car looks likely to be called the EQG.
We can expect to see a saloon version next, probably one aimed squarely at the Tesla Model S. “We will start with the main segments, saloons and SUVs,” Wagener said, “this is the first of its kind, it’s a starting point. Of course, we’ve already progressed a little bit further internally. This car will be fairly soon on the market and then we will welcome other generations.”
Wagener also acknowledged that these will, ultimately, include both lower and sportier models, insisting it will be possible to produce these even with the packaging constraints of the under-floor battery pack that every EQ model will sit upon.
Sam Sheehan and Mike Duff
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