At the 2016 Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz has revealed the start of an ambitious electrification campaign with the first model in a sub-brand (EQ) of zero emissions vehicles, the Generation EQ.
The SUV show vehicle has been given assurances by the company bigwigs that the first production car under the EQ umbrella would be a mid-size SUV. That should adequately explain why Benz chose the premiere vehicle to resemble their current GLC.
It does share a near-identical silhouette and roughly the same space on the road, but given its role as an attention-grabbing concept vehicle, the Generation EQ exterior and interior is predictably futuristic.
The body is classically SUV-esque with the exception of a lower, more coupe-like roofline but the fascia is entirely replaced with a solid surface that can illuminate dynamically depending on driving conditions and selected modes, either illuminating the road ahead or conveying the status of the vehicle.
This extends to the bonnet as well, which is also finished in the same semi-reflective black material but does not function as anything besides being a cover of some sort. Large 21-inch wheels are seen in all four corners but, like a normal car, does not serve any advanced purpose save for acting as a frame for the tyres.
The rear of the Generation EQ is also linked by a singular opaque black panel that can come alive with bright blue illumination via LEDs and fibre optics.
Inside, things get slightly more interesting. Only four individual seats are available in the all-electric SUV but the overall level of technology on offer here more than makes up for the lack of out-and-out passenger capacity.
The brown, white, and blue colour scheme does well to blend the luxurious and the futuristic, especially when paired with the many high-gloss surfaces which are mostly adorned with some sort of touch-enabled interface when powered on.
For the driver, nearly every vehicle function is accessed and operated via the 24-inch ultra-wide high-resolution screen or the horizontal touch control panel where the gear lever would usually be located to control HVAC settings and infotainment functions.
The Generation EQ’s success or failure as a future production vehicle could hinge on Mercedes-Benz’ ability to infuse it with new technology that could solve the still-numerous problems with battery-powered vehicles. With this debut concept, what has Affalterbach brought to bear?
First of all, two electric motors (one on each axle) are responsible for propulsion, generating a combined output of roughly 300kW and 700Nm which is enough thrust to dispatch 100km/h from rest in under 5 seconds.
To power those motors, Mercedes-Benz has used a new modular platform to integrate battery banks into the floor of the Generation EQ with enough room to fit a capacity of well over 70kWh while keeping weight at bay thanks to a multi material construction of steel, aluminium, and carbon fibre. To charge, the typical methods are called upon: the wall socket. However, quicker charge times can be achieved through use of a special wallbox or wireless induction pads.
There’s nothing novel about the Generation EQ”s approach to gathering and storing electrical energy, but Mercedes-Benz is confident that by the time a full production model is rolled out, fast charging technology would be able to to supply sufficient power to travel 100km after 5 minutes of charge time.
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