Short test: Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic (2021) // The car that changes driving habits ...
The suit makes the man, the car makes the driver. Anyway, I could summarize the test of the Mercedes-Benz EQC, the first all-electric Mercedes, if you subtract, of course, the second generation of the B-Class, which was produced in Stuttgart in just a few thousand copies and with a range of about 140 kilometers was definitely not useful. In a second attempt at an electric car, Mercedes took the project much more seriously as they created an entirely new foundation for the newcomer we first enticed nearly two years ago.
It was then that we wrote that the EQC is, on the one hand, a real electric car, and on the other, a real Mercedes. After two years, this is more or less the same. And although it appeared rather late on the Slovenian market, it still looks pretty fresh. Its appearance is completely Mercedes restrained, sleek, but at the same time there is no element that would indicate that it is an electric car, only there may be a blue lettering on the side and a slightly modified typography of the model on the rear of the car. ... And it is clear that there are no exhaust pipes, even just specified ones, which are very popular with gasoline and diesel counterparts. However, in the company of other brothers, I would not consider him one of the most beautiful.
So I only remember two details: the connected taillights (which enhance the look of more or less every car they appear on) and the interesting AMG rims, on which five levers connect an interesting ring with the diameter of the brake disc. who is a co-author Matyaz Tomažić said that they somehow remind him of the recognizable full hubcaps of the legendary Mercedes 190.
I don't see any similarities, but so be it. What amazed me most was that in Stuttgart they did not overdo it with the size of the rims. Understandably, anyone who wants to be seen can imagine shiny 20- and multi-inch wheels, but 19-inch wheels surrounded by high-profile Michelin tires seem just right for the placid nature of this car.
The EQC is by no means an athlete. True, with two motors, one for each axle, there is power available. 300 kilowatts (408 "horsepower") and instant torque help the car weighing almost a third and a half ton to accelerate to 100 kilometers per hour. starts in just 5,1 seconds (literally nailing the passengers to the back of the seats). But this is where the sportiness ends. This is what I had in mind at the beginning of this test when I wrote that the car changes drivers.
I drove the vast majority of my miles in the Comfort Driving program, which is best suited for driving comfortably on highways, as well as on highways – even at slightly higher speeds. This is supported by the aforementioned tall tires and the passive suspension, which has been tuned with comfort in mind thanks to its softness. And this is really not much! On the fresh asphalt, since it was laid in the area of the former Log toll station, you will feel that you are standing still at a distance of 110 kilometers.... And the noise from under the wheels, and small vibrations due to possible even small irregularities completely disappear, and, of course, electricity adds to this.
The steering gear seems a bit too precise for this kind of driving. It only took a little turn to get the front wheels where I wanted, and quite often it happened to me that when turning the steering wheel, I exaggerated a little, and then corrected small mistakes, briefly returning to dead center. But I quickly got used to it too.
The Sport program, on the other hand, alters the ESP system (and reduces its impact, giving the driver more room to maneuver) and the steering gear, which becomes heavier (the mechanism in the Comfort program is even slightly overdone). responsive) and the machine gets a little jittery. like a hungry Rottweiler spotting a 30-pound bag of his favorite snacks in a shop window.
No, this kind of ride doesn't suit him at all, so I quickly went back to the comfort driving program, maybe even Eco, where the most obvious “lockup” occurs under the right foot at 20% load on the electric motors. . Not that this completely stops the driver from getting even more power out of them, he just needs to press the pedal a little more decisively, which is completely unnecessary for normal driving. The already mentioned 20 percent of the power is sufficient for the car to follow normal traffic flow without any problems.
The power consumption for such a large car - 4,76 meters long - is acceptable, given the weight of 2.425 kilograms, which is actually quite exemplary. With completely normal driving, the combined consumption would be about 20 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers; if you spend more time on the highway and at speeds up to 125 kilometers per hour, expect another five kilowatt-hours more.
The plant promises that good ones can be transported on a single charge. 350 kilometers, but thanks to the excellent braking energy recovery system, I managed to exceed this number and approach 400 kilometers.... In the most intensive recuperation program, this system may be enough to stop in most cases, leaving the brake pedal alone. For the rest, these are already numbers that allow daily use of an electric vehicle.
In the salon, the EQC does not present any special surprises. It is noteworthy that many other models entered the market after him, for example, the S-Class, which has much more freshness on the inside, but this does not mean that the EQC is outdated.... The rounded lines still work reasonably modern, and the layout of the switches makes sense. At Mercedes, customers are not limited to just one way of operating the infotainment and other systems, which can be controlled on the touchscreen, with a slider on the center bump, or with a combination of different switches on the steering wheel. Opponents of touchscreens will be satisfied as a result.
I have no particular comments on the spaciousness of the cabin. The driver will quickly find his place behind the wheel, and even in the second row, with an above average driver, there will still be enough room for most of the passengers. The boot offers plenty of room, its width (and wide loading opening) and workmanship are also commendable as it is surrounded by a soft textile lining. Of course, you can't blame it for being a little small, as there is room under the bottom to store the power cables, and there is also a handy foldable plastic box that Mercedes generously gives you along with the power cable. bags.
There are three cables in this room, in addition to two for the classic (šuko) socket and charging on fast chargers, there is also a cable with a three-phase current connection. On the other hand, they saved on cable length as the fast charging cable is the same length as the car, which can be a problem at charging stations where the car can only be parked in the front. facing the charging station, which should be located on the right side of the vehicle.
While the interior looks at first glance with a dual digital display in front of the driver, the partially leather seats, high-quality door trim and other details evoke a sense of prestige, the final impression is spoiled by shiny (cheap) piano plastic, which is a real magnet for scratches and fingerprints. This is especially noticeable with the drawer under the air conditioner interface, which, on the one hand, is most open to the eyes, and on the other hand, will also be used frequently.
Mercedes with EQC may not have been the first to introduce an all-electric vehicle, but it has fulfilled its mission more than well, even with the high standards that critics often cultivate towards the Stuttgart brand. Not completely, but if other electric models follow or hit the market, then Mercedes is on track for success in the coming years.
Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic (2021)
Basic data
| Sales: | Autocommerce doo |
|---|---|
| Test model cost: | 84.250 € |
| Base model price with discounts: | 59.754 € |
| Test model price discount: | 84.250 € |
| Power: | 300kW (408 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 5,1 with |
| Maximum speed: | 180 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 21,4l / 100km |
Costs (per year)
Technical information
| engine: | electric motor - maximum power 300 kW (408 hp) - constant power np - maximum torque 760 Nm. |
|---|---|
| Battery: | Lithium-ion-80 kWh. |
| Energy transfer: | Two motors drive all four wheels - this is a 1-speed gearbox. |
| Capacity: | top speed 180 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 5,1 s - power consumption (WLTP) 21,4 kWh / 100 km - electric range (WLTP) 374 km - battery charging time 12 h 45 min 7,4 .35 kW), 112 min (DC XNUMX kW). |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 2.420 kg - permissible gross weight 2.940 kg. |
| External dimensions: | length 4.762 mm - width 1.884 mm - height 1.624 mm - wheelbase 2.873 mm. |
| Box: | 500-1.460 liters |
evaluation
Although the EQC is an electric car with ample power reserves, it is a car that is primarily designed for comfortable driving and that encourages calm driving with a satisfactory range, while at the same time will not resent you if you press the accelerator pedal when overtaking few have implemented it.
We praise and reproach
vehicle range
recuperation system operation
open space
active radar cruise control
short charging cable on fast charging
"Dangerous" rear door closing system
no front parking camera
manual longitudinal movement of the front seats
