Mercedes signaled its intentions towards launching a small electric passenger van in May 2021 when it unveiled the seven-seat Concept EQT. A few months later, the commercial variant debuted in production guise as the Citan and eCitan based on the Renault Kangoo. Today, the three-pointed star is announcing the passenger-oriented T-Class will break cover on April 26, with the EQT likely to follow at a later date.
For the time being, the German luxury brand is focusing solely on the T-Class powered by combustion engines. Logic tells us it too will be largely based on the French van, but with a more upscale interior and a premium exterior. Mercedes remains tight-lipped about the technical specifications, albeit we do know the Concept EQT was 4945 mm long, 1863 mm wide, and 1826 mm tall.
The all-electric van is believed to inherit the powertrain from the Kangoo Electric E-Tech where the e-motor pumps out 101 hp and 245 Nm (181 lb-ft). Renault sells its version of the workhorse with a small 45-kWh battery pack providing enough juice for 165 miles (265 kilometers) per the WLTP cycle. The production-ready minivan is unlikely to stray away too far from the donor vehicle.
Both the T-Class with its gasoline and diesel engines along with the electric EQT are going to be assembled in France at the same Stellantis factory where the Kangoo and Kangoo E-Tech Electric are manufactured. It looks as though the ICE-powered variants will be the first to go on sale since Mercedes’ teaser doesn’t mention the EQT at all. Even so, the zero-emissions MPV should land by the end of the year or early 2023.
Despite being based on a Renault, Mercedes pledges the T-Class / EQT will be fully fledged luxury vehicles, complete with the MBUX infotainment system. If the concept was any indication, the electric minivan will be a tad larger than the Volkswagen Caddy while offering practical sliding rear doors.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
In 2024, the BMW iX has been crowned the best electric vehicle (EV) by Consumer…
The BMW iX represents the pinnacle of the brand's current electric vehicle offerings, having made…
MINI is set to break new ground with the introduction of its inaugural electric John…
The essence of the 12th BMW Art Car thrives in the distinctive i5, mirroring the…
Carwow's latest unusual drag race, brought to you by the German branch of the popular…
The i5 xDrive40 has made its appearance on the 2024 model year pricing list, and…