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

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It can host seven people in a leather-lined luxurious interior where the third row can be completely removed to enable a greater cargo capacity when you want to carry bulky items. If you’re wondering about its size, the Concept EQT stretches at 4945 mm long, 1863 mm wide, and 1826 mm tall. It boasts sliding doors like you’d expect from a proper van, but there’s a good chance those flush door handles won’t make it to production.

The wide LED light strip at the back is a typical EQ model design trait, and so are those many illuminated Mercedes three-pointed star badges on the glossy black panel replacing the conventional front grille. The panoramic sunroof has an interesting shape and we’re wondering whether it will look the same on the production model coming later this year.

It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to assume the massive 21-inch wheels are reserved for the concept, with the road-going EQT to feature smaller alloys for a better ride. The changes from the Concept EQT to the actual product customers will be able to buy are going to be kept down to a minimum, and it goes without saying the Mercedes version will be fancier than the equivalent Renault.

Surprisingly, details about what’s underneath the skin have not been revealed. However, the EQT can’t be that much different than the Kangoo Electric E-Tech, so the final version should boast a single electric motor rated at 101 hp and 245 Nm (181 lb-ft). The Renault’s 45-kWh battery will likely be carried over and should offer a similar WLTP range of 265 km (165 miles).

Full details will be disclosed before the end of 2021 as Mercedes has announced plans to unveil the production-ready EQT in the following months when the gasoline- and diesel-fueled T-Class will also break cover. These will be joined by the commercial versions of the small van, the Citan and all-electric eCitan.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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Before that happens, Mercedes will unveil the EQT on Monday. Initially a concept, the new arrival will signal an electric derivative of the newly founded T-Class family to rival the likes of the Volkswagen Caddy. While gasoline and diesel powertrains are planned, there will also be an EV version as part of the ever-growing EQ family.

Ahead of its world premiere tomorrow, the Concept EQT is being teased in a couple of design sketches released by Daimler design chief Gorden Wagener on his personal Instagram account. The posh small van follows the other EQ models by adopting the new corporate “grille” reserved for electric vehicles, along with an LED light bar at the back. The tall and flat roof maximizes interior space while the sliding rear doors are a typical van trait to ease access into the cabin to load and unload cargo.

Technical specifications have not been disclosed, but these should be in line with those of the Renault Kangoo as the T-Class will ride on the same platform. The French small van is already available with an entirely electric setup, so we’re expecting the EQT to feature a 44-kWh battery and charge at 75 kW for a maximum WLTP-certified range of 159 miles (256 kilometers).

Chances are the production version is not far away considering the Renault Kangoo ZE is already available in Europe. When it does arrive, the Mercedes EQT will slot underneath the larger eVito and eSprinter vans in the company’s EV commercial portfolio. Some are saying the electric version will be the first member of the T-Class to go on sale, but that remains to be seen.

Expect to see the EQT and the conventionally powered T-Class launch in Europe before the end of the year or early 2022.

Source: Gorden Wagener / Instagram

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