Mercedes-Benz: The EQA kicks off the electric offensive under the star

The EQA aims to be aerodynamically efficient for an SUV

Contributing to the better efficiency compared to the EQC is the low drag coefficient (cW value) of 0.28, identical to the GLA, which is low for a high-roof vehicle. The aerodynamics are optimized through a closed grille air control system, a streamlined front and rear bumper, a smooth and almost completely closed underbody, specially optimized aero wheels, and adjusted front and rear wheel spoilers. A standard heat pump, which uses the waste heat from the electric drive for cabin heating, is also intended to improve efficiency. This could significantly reduce the need for battery power for heating and increase the range, the manufacturer promises. Additionally, they highlight the preconditioning feature, which can be controlled via the standard MBUX infotainment system or the Mercedes me app.

The 11-kW AC charger is standard, green electricity is key

Charging is done using an onboard AC charger that offers 11 kW and brings the batteries from 10 to 100 percent in 5:45 hours. For DC charging at 400 volts, it takes 30 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent, thanks to the 100-kW CCS charger onboard. A new aspect of charging is that the manufacturer, through its Mercedes me Charge network, allows customers to charge at over 175,000 public points across Europe and compensates for any CO2 emissions with green electricity.

"Green electricity, i.e. electricity from renewable energies, is a significant factor in the lifecycle of an electric car to avoid CO2 emissions. Because around 50 percent of the CO2 footprint of a battery-electric vehicle arises from the current EU electricity mix during the usage phase, that is from CO2-laden charging," explains the manufacturer. 

The navigation with so-called Electric Intelligence is designed to calculate the fastest route, taking charging times into account. Additional factors such as topography and weather would also be included in the calculation.

Driver assistance: Partially semi-autonomous

The familiar range of driver assistance systems is expected to provide cooperative support to the driver. Extended functions in the EQA include the turn-off function, the emergency corridor function, the exit warning function for approaching cyclists or vehicles, and the warning of detected persons on crosswalks. Standard equipment on the electric SUV includes Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Brake Assist, which also reacts to stationary vehicles and crossing pedestrians. In certain environments, the EQA operates semi-automatically using improved camera and radar systems as well as map and navigation data. For instance, the Active Distance Assist Distronic, which is part of the optional driver assistance package, supports route-based driving and adjusts the speed proactively before curves, intersections, or roundabouts. It also coordinates with the ECO Assist.

Black phase: The Black-Panel Grille as an Eyecatcher

Visually, the EQA aligns with the EQC, which also shares a combustion engine platform, featuring a Black-Panel grille with a central star and adding some blue accents in the headlights. Another distinctive design feature of the Swabian's all-electric models is the light strip at the front and rear, where a horizontal light guide connects the daytime running lights of the standard full-LED headlights. The interior, like in the EQC, includes various "electric" accents and is expected to offer similarly generous space as the GLA. However, the trunk, with 340 to a maximum of 1,320 liters, appears relatively small for a 4.50-meter SUV. The payload is also limited due to the overall weight cap of 2,470 kilos, with only 430 kilos and the towing capacity is modest at 750 kilos. However, the all-wheel-drive versions are expected to offer slightly better towing capacity. The towing hitch is in any case approved for a bike rack.

What does this mean?

It's a reflection of the new Swabian modesty - with a short, succinct, and focused presentation at their flagship store in Munich, Mercedes-Benz launched the new EQA, their latest hope in the currently most important segment worldwide. Instead of grand pomp and ceremony, Britta Seeger and product manager Marius Philipp created a hands-on working atmosphere, which fits the challenges posed not only by the pandemic but also by the transformation facing the star-studded company. Whether the EQA will revolutionize the car industry, as company boss Ola Källenius has proclaimed, is doubtful but also relatively unimportant.

Not offering a fully electric option in this segment in 2021 is simply a "No Go". Therefore, the GLA platform was quickly retrofitted electrically following the EQC model. The advantage for the customer: a competitive price below 40,000 Euros net and eligibility for subsidies. This might not be a bad thing since the inefficient, heavy, and barely dynamic plug-in hybrid left a rather poor impression in our VM test, being neither fish nor fowl, that the prospect of the E-version is eagerly anticipated. Hopefully, it will run more efficiently than the EQC; an electric compact SUV with a star should achieve under 20 kWh/100 km - and should do so.

Because despite the clever and modern idea of "greening" the en-route recharged electricity through CO2 compensation, the foremost principle of a modern electric car remains: Efficiency is irreplaceable. Except by more efficiency!