The reveal was made by company CEO Ola Kallenius this week during an interview in Atlanta. Mercedes’ head honcho is confident people shopping for an EQA or the boxy, seven-seat EQB are willing to accept a shorter range since these zero-emissions crossovers are mainly used around town, therefore not needing sophisticated batteries that provide an extended range.

The larger and more expensive electric cars from Mercedes, such as the newly released EQS fullsize sedan, will stick to nickel-based battery. With the largest pack, it has enough juice for 350 miles (563 kilometers) per EPA or 478 miles (770 km) according to the WLTP standard applicable in Europe.

Arriving in 2024 and 2025, the next-generation EQA and EQB, the electric crossovers could switch to lithium iron phosphate batteries. Ola Kallenius said Mercedes is currently “looking at” this technology for the two compact EVs to avoid nickel and cobalt in lithium-ion batteries as supplies of both are constrained, thus driving up the prices.

While it’s a bit disappointing to hear about a high-end marque such as Mercedes having to resort to using downgraded batteries, continuing with nickel would make the EQA and EQB too expensive for the segment in which they compete. It’s understandable why it will be going down this road, especially since nickel is known to be prone to fire, so the engineers want to avoid this additional problem.

As a final note, Mercedes is plotting a veritable EV onslaught to follow an EV-heavy 2021 as the EQA and EQB SUVs were followed by the EQE and EQS sedans. The EQE SUV and EQS SUV are coming next year, complete with a Maybach version of the latter, with a fully electric G-Class due in 2024.

Source: Automotive News

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Joining the FWD-based EQA 250 are the 300 4Matic and 350 4Matic, both featuring an electric motor at the front and another one at the back. The lesser of the two AWD models provides an already healthy 225 horsepower (168 kilowatts) and 288 pound-feet (390 Newton-meters) of torque for a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) run in 7.7 seconds onto a top speed of 99.5 mph (160 km/h).

Step up to the EQA 350 4Matic and Mercedes will reward you with a combined output of 288 hp (215 kW) and 384 lb-ft (520 Nm) of torque. The added electric punch will lower the sprint time to six seconds flat while the maximum velocity will remain unchanged at just under 100 mph. Both AWD-equipped models share a 66.5-kWh battery pack with enough juice for 400-426 miles based on the WLTP cycle.

The power transfer between the two axles is controlled 100 times per second and the engineers have developed the 4Matic to use the rear electric motor as often as possible. Mercedes says the front-mounted motor generates minimal drag losses in partial-load operation and both feed on a battery that can be charged at up to 100 kW. This translates to a 30-minute charge from 10% to 80%.

As far as pricing is concerned, Mercedes is asking €53,538 for the EQA 300 4Matic and €56,215 for the beefier EQA 350 4Matic at home in Germany where the two electric crossovers come generously equipped. Adaptive LED headlights and an electric tailgate come as standard, and so do 18-inch wheels and four-way adjustable seats. To sweeten the pot, Mercedes also throws in a rearview camera, 64-color LED ambient lighting, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Those willing to spend more can opt for the Advanced, Advanced Plus, or Premium Packages adding a ton of extra equipment. From a 360-degree camera and a Burmester surround sound system to dual 10.25-inch screens and blind spot, the all-wheel-drive EQA can be fitted with an impressive amount of tech as long as you’re willing to pay for it. The content-rich Premium Package will set you back €5,557 and also includes a panoramic sunroof.

The 4Matic-equipped models are now available to order and will be followed later in 2021 by a long-range EQA.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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Another significant change compared to the standard GLA is noticeable at the back where the EQA boasts a light strip stretching across the entire width of the tailgate. In addition, the license plate now sits at the bottom of the rear bumper rather than being integrated into the tailgate as seen on the GLA. You can also tell this is the electric model by looking at the intricate wheels up to 20 inches in size, with aero-optimized designs and special finishes.

The modifications on the inside are less obvious as the cabin has been essentially carried over from the GLA, with discreet tweaks to the seat upholstery, trim, and ambient lighting. Mercedes has prepared an Edition 1 version with all the bells and whistles as well as an assortment of exclusive features, including unique leather upholstery that has fabric perforations finished in blue.

The launch version is an EQA 250 with a single electric motor and front-wheel drive. It offers 188 horsepower and 277 pound-feet (375 Newton-meters) of instant torque, enabling a sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 8.9 seconds and an electronically governed maximum speed of 100 mph (160 km/h). One of the future versions in the pipeline is a dual-motor AWD model with as much as 268 horsepower.

Mercedes says the EQA 250 is equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack that has a usable 66.5-kWh capacity with enough juice for 426 kilometers (265 miles) of range according to the WLTP regime. A more efficient variant is being worked on and will cover more than 500 kilometers (311 miles) between charges.

The EQA has been engineered to support 100-kW charging, which means the battery can be recharged from a 10% to an 80% level in approximately half an hour. A full recharge from 10% using an 11kW AC charger is going to take 5 hours and 45 minutes.

Mercedes will have the EQA 250 on sale in Europe this spring, with pricing in Germany kicking off at €47,540 (VAT included) before any applicable regional incentives. Later this year, the slightly larger GLB boxy crossover with seven seats will also spawn an electric variant, dubbed EQB.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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By taking out the combustion engine, the EQA doesn’t need a traditional front grille to cool down a gasoline or diesel powertrain. Much like it’s the case with the larger EQC, the new silent crossover adopts a closed-off grille with an LED light strip positioned on top, creating a visual connection with the headlights.

Journalists from the British magazine Autocar were given the opportunity to hop behind the wheel of a prototype and drove the EQA 250. We get to learn this version uses a lithium-ion battery installed beneath the raised floor in the back, underneath the rear seats as well. The placement of the 66-kWh pack has had a negative impact on cargo capacity as the EQA won’t have the same spacious trunk like the standard GLA.

The EQA 250 will have a single electric motor driving the front wheels by sending 188 horsepower (140 kilowatts). Mercedes has already announced there will be an all-wheel-drive model and a dual-motor setup good for 268 horsepower (200 kilowatts). Autocar says a performance derivative with AMG branding is in the works, with 4Matic and a pair of electric motors.

Mercedes says estimates the EQA 250 will cover more than 249 miles (401 kilometers) between charges, with rumors indicating a long-range model will arrive later and offer in excess of 300 miles (483 kilometers).

We will have all the details about the launch version tomorrow when Mercedes will introduce the EQA. Later this year, the EQB will arrive with essentially the same technical specifications, but in a boxy shape reminiscent of the old GLK.

Source: Mercedes, Autocar

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With the EQA effectively being an electric version of the GLA-Class, it makes perfect sense why Mercedes has largely carried over the interior from the model equipped with combustion engines to its EV sibling. We’re noticing some swanky ambient lighting on the dashboard on the passenger side, but other than that, it’s pretty much the same as before.

We will have to wait until Wednesday to discover all the technical specifications, but we do know the launch model will be called EQA 250. Mercedes claims the electric GLA in this configuration will deliver 188 horsepower (140 kilowatts) to the front wheels. Future versions will be more powerful, with the beefiest of them all offering 268 horsepower (200 kilowatts).

Also planned to arrive later in the EQA’s life cycle will be an all-wheel-drive system, which should come as good news for those living in countries where winters tend to be harsh. Mercedes also says its newcomer in the EQ lineup features a standard navigation system with something called “Electric Intelligence.”

Marketing-speak aside, that feature refers to the ability to automatically calculate the fastest route possible based on the current range simulations and the necessary charging stops to “refill” the battery pack. It also takes into account weather and topography, among other factors, so that the driver is presented with the fastest way to reach a destination without having to worry about range anxiety.

The EQA will be followed later this year by the EQB as an electric counterpart of the boxy GLB. Also planned for 2021 is the official debut of Mercedes’ EQS flagship sedan. These will be followed by several other EVs, including an EQS SUV as well as smaller EQE sedan and EQE SUV models – all of which will hit the market before the end of 2022.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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Mercedes has previously announced the world premiere is scheduled to take place on January 20. As a matter of fact, production of the first-ever EQA has already commenced at the Rastatt plant in Germany. Later this year, the model will also hit the assembly line in China through Daimler’s local Beijing Benz automotive joint venture.

As evidenced by this thinly covered prototype, the EQA will largely inherit the exterior design of its conventionally powered GLA counterpart. It comes as no surprise the front grille is closed-off seeing as how there’s no combustion engine underneath the hood that needs to be cooled down. The grille should be like what Mercedes installs on its other electric crossover, the bigger EQC.

To further separate it from the GLA, the three-pointed star has designed new front and rear bumpers and we’re also expecting some aerodynamic alloy wheels to maximize efficiency. The exhaust is obviously gone, and there could be some revised graphics for the headlights and taillights to give the EQA its own visual identity.

Technical specifications are shrouded in mystery at this point, but we do know the electric crossover will be followed later this year by the EQB as an electric variant of the GLB. It should have virtually identical hardware but hiding underneath a boxy body lending a more spacious interior. The EQB will be made in Hungary at the Kecskemét factory as well as in Beijing through the same BBAC joint venture.

The EQA and EQB are just two of the many EVs that Mercedes will be launching by the end of 2022. Additional eco-friendly models include the bigger EQE and EQS SUVs, with both getting sedan counterparts. Even the mighty G-Class will spawn an electric derivative later this decade as part of Daimler’s EV push.

Source: walkoARTvideos / YouTube, CarSpyMedia / YouTube

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