The new-generation Mercedes EQC is expected to be unveiled sometime by late 2025 or early 2026.

Mercedes-Benz is working on the second-generation iteration of its EQC SUV. The electric version of the GLC SUV has been around for a while now, offered in multiple international markets. However, with competition in the segment heating up, Mercedes-Benz is looking to stay in the hunt.

As seen in the spy images, the prototype is heavily camouflaged, revealing little to no details of the upcoming model. However, a few details like the flared wheel arches, flush-fitting door handles and the sporty roofline can be seen.

The biggest change in the upcoming model is that the new-gen EQC will be underpinned by a new EV-centric architecture, unlike the current one, which shares its platform with its ICE-powered siblings. The new EV-centric platform should give the next-gen EQC extra luggage space while reducing weight and offering a much sharper driving experience. The new EQC will also offer a better range than the outgoing model.

Also, the new-gen electric SUV could even get a new nameplate. Reports suggest that Mercedes-Benz could ditch the EQ branding for its EV lineup. Reports also state that the new-gen Mercedes EQC will be manufactured at the brand's facility in the USA. The Alabama plant will stop manufacturing the EQS SUV & instead will build the EQC SUV, while production of the flagship electric SUV will move to Germany.

The new-generation Mercedes EQC is expected to be unveiled sometime by late 2025 or early 2026.

Source: CarScoops

Currently, the EQS and EQB are the only pure-electric models offered by Mercedes-Benz in India.

Mercedes-Benz has removed the EQC electric SUV from its official website, which suggests that the model may have been silently discontinued.

The EQC was Mercedes' first all-electric SUV for the Indian market. It was launched in October 2020 at a price of Rs 99.30 lakh (ex-showroom).

The EQC is based on a modified version of the GLC platform. The SUV features a distinctive exterior with a clean front fascia that's typical of all EQ-branded cars. Inside, it gets dual 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen MBUX infotainment system.

The EQC uses a dual motor setup with a combined output of 402 BHP and 765 Nm. It packs an 85 kWh battery pack that has a claimed range of 400 km (WLTP cycle) and can be charged in 90 minutes using a DC fast charger.

Currently, the EQS and EQB are the only pure-electric models offered by Mercedes-Benz in India.

Thanks to BHPian pqr for sharing this information with other enthusiasts!

The new C-Class EV will take on the likes of the Tesla Model 3, BMW i4 and the Polestar 2.

Mercedes-Benz is said to be working on an all-electric version of their popular C-Class sedan. The new C-Class EV is expected to make its global debut in 2024, taking on the likes of the Tesla Model 3, BMW i4 and the Polestar 2.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is one of the few legacy models from the German brand without a direct EV equivalent. The upcoming EV derivative of the C-Class is confirmed to be underpinned by Mercedes' MMA platform. The new architecture will be used on compact cars but has the potential to expand to the midsize segment as well.

Reports also suggest that though the Mercedes EQXX won't directly develop into a production car, it does preview the brand's design for future models - while being most closely related to the C-Class in terms of dimensions. The car also features next-generation battery technology, which is said to have higher power density while being 35 per cent lighter and half the size of that powering the brand's flagship EQS model.

Source: Autocar UK

Since January 2022, Mercedes Benz is selling the EQC at a discounted price of ₹ 99,50,000.

BHPian pqr recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Mercedes Benz India launched its first battery-electric-vehicle (BEV) SUV EQC in October 2020, at an ex-showroom price of ₹ 99,30,000. Mercedes Benz then increased the price of EQC by 5% and 3%, respectively, in January 2021 and July 2021. However, since January 2022, Mercedes Benz is selling EQC at a discounted price of ₹ 99,50,000.

 Since the EQC launch, direct competition also introduced their own BEV SUV in India at a similar price point with similar or better performance.

Mercedes Benz or for that matter any other luxury carmaker in India does not disclose actual sales figures, so, it is not apparent how the luxury BEV market is really doing. But what is clear, in the BEV category nobody has an early mover advantage. Automaker which brings the best product at the right price will take the cake, irrespective of timing, as the market is still in a nascent stage.

EQC or GLC Coupe AMG

Customers looking for a performance oriented SUV still have a good choice in the form of the GLC coupe AMG with a petrol engine. Both offer similar in-cabin space and similar performance. EQC though has better on paper power and torque output, but has a weight disadvantage, hence similar on road performance. Moreover, customers can enjoy petrol powered cars all time without the hassle of range anxiety or time required to charge such a big battery, also save 10% on the on-road price.

Way forward

What could really change the game is the CKD assembly operation of EQC or for that matter any imported BEV.

Let us have a look at the below illustration of price de-construction. Imported CBU cars with CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value higher than $ 40,000 attract an import duty of 100%, whereas CKD operation brings down the effective duty to a mere 15%. Also, BEV enjoys a lower GST rate of 5%.

 Higher import duty has scared Tesla from selling BEV in India for now. And their past lobbying activity could not yield favorable results.

However, Government stand to not to reduce CBU import duty on BEV seems to be right, as higher duty acts as a tariff barrier and favor local manufacturing – which in turn generates employment and asset creation in India. India has been 5th largest PV market, and local production can have economies of scale. Though luxury segment is small, and it does not need any tax cuts as it is deemed as symbol of conspicuous consumption.

So, if Mercedes Benz India decides to bring EQC as CKD in India, lower custom duty on CKD operation coupled with lower GST rate of 5% on BEV, will make it more appealing than other vehicles, as illustrated below.

Someone has to break - chicken first (market demand) or egg first (product) - conundrum, similar to what Tata or MG did in the mass market BEV category. In fact, as per Mercedes Benz India press announcement, they are trying to bring purpose-built BEV EQS as CKD in Q4 of 2022.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Mercedes dealers across 50 cities and 94 locations will now be able to cater to EQC customers.

Mercedes-Benz has started accepting bookings for the second batch of the EQC electric SUV. Customers can place their orders online or at their nearest Mercedes-Benz dealership.

The EQC uses two asynchronous 3-Phase AC motors that have a combined output of 402 BHP and 765 Nm. They are powered by an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is claimed to offer a maximum range of 400 km on a single charge (WLTP cycle).

The battery can be recharged in 21 hours using a 3.4 kW domestic socket or in 10 hours using a 7.5 kW wall-box charger that is provided by Mercedes-Benz. A DC fast charger cuts the charging time to 90 minutes.

The EQC is imported into India as a 'completely built unit' (CBU). The next batch of cars will start arriving from October 2021.

Until now, the EQC was available in six cities across 14 locations. Mercedes dealers across 50 cities and 94 locations will now be able to cater to EQC customers.

The EQS sedan could be the next all-electric model for India.

Mercedes-Benz launched its first all-electric SUV called the EQC in India back in October 2020. It is imported as a completely built unit (CBU), but now the carmaker is mulling local assembly of its EQ models in India.

According to Martin Schwenk, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, the company will be looking into the possibility of local production.

Mercedes is also thinking of introducing more EQ models from its global portfolio. The EQS sedan could be the next all-electric model for India, although the carmaker is yet to take a final decision on that.

On the opposite side of the price spectrum are the EQA and EQB SUVs. These can slot in below the EQC, giving Indian customers a more affordable EV option in the future.

At present, the EQC is only offered in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. But, the company plans to expand into other cities in the foreseeable future.

Source: Autocar India

Mercedes also welcomed all I-Pace owners to any of their 100 Mercedes-Benz and EQ outlets to charge their cars.

Jaguar launched the I-Pace in India yesterday, and to mark the occasion, Mercedes-Benz took to Instagram and Twitter to welcome the electric car to India.

The Instagram post depicts a battery segmented into four parts, 3 of which show the Mercedes EQC SUV, and 1 slot welcoming the I-Pace. Mercedes also welcomed all I-Pace owners to any of their 100 Mercedes-Benz and EQ outlets to charge their cars.

The I-Pace is Jaguar's first electric vehicle to be launched in India. Mercedes-Benz also sells the EQC electric SUV. This is the German carmaker's only electric vehicle on sale in the country. Audi is also expected to launch the e-tron electric SUV here.

The carmaker is still accepting bookings but deliveries are only expected in February or March 2021.

Mercedes-Benz has sold out the first batch of the EQC electric SUV in India. While the carmaker is still accepting bookings, deliveries are only expected in February or March 2021.

The EQC was launched in India in October last year at an introductory price of Rs. 99.30 lakh (ex-showroom, India).

The electric SUV uses two asynchronous 3-Phase AC motors that have a combined output of 402 BHP and 765 Nm. They are powered by an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is claimed to offer a maximum range of 400 km on a single charge (WLTP cycle).

The battery can be recharged in 21 hours using a 3.4 kW domestic socket or in 10 hours using a 7.5 kW wall-box charger that is provided by Mercedes-Benz. A DC fast charger cuts the charging time to 90 minutes.

Source: Car and Bike

The faster charger reduces charging time by about 2.5 hours.

Mercedes-Benz has upgraded the onboard charger on the EQC electric SUV. Instead of a 7.4 kW charger, the EV now comes with a faster 11 kW charger.

Mercedes claims that the new charger reduces the overnight charging time by about 2.5 hours. An 85 kWh battery can now be charged from 10-100% in 7 hours 30 minutes. With the old charger, it would take 11 hours to replenish the battery. The EQC can also be recharged using DC fast chargers with up to 110 kW.

The Mercedes EQC was launched in India earlier this year. It is imported as completely built unit (CBU) and is priced at Rs. 99.30 lakh (ex-showroom).

The EQC uses two asynchronous 3-Phase AC motors that have a combined output of 402 BHP and 765 Nm. They are powered by an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is claimed to offer a maximum range of 400 km on a single charge (WLTP cycle).

Mercedes-Benz has launched the EQC - its first all-electric SUV in the Indian market at an introductory price of Rs. 99.30 lakh (ex-showroom, India). This price will be applicable for the first 50 customers only.

The EQC is based on a modified GLC platform and features a gloss black front fascia. It has distinct LED headlamps with a light strip that stretches across the front end and slim LED tail lights again connected with a light bar. The EQC rides on 20-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels that have blue highlights. On the inside, the electric SUV gets a 12.3-inch configurable digital display for the instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen MBUX infotainment system.

The EQC uses two asynchronous 3-Phase AC motors that have a combined output of 402 BHP and 765 Nm. They are powered by an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is claimed to offer a maximum range of 400 km on a single charge (WLTP cycle). The battery can be recharged in 21 hours using a 3.4 kW domestic socket or in 10 hours using a 7.5 kW wall-box charger that is provided by Mercedes-Benz. A DC fast charger cuts the charging time to 90 minutes.

In terms of safety, the EQC has been awarded a 5-star rating by the NCAP. The SUV comes equipped with 7 airbags, blindspot assist, attention assist, lane departure warnings, ESP, among other features.

The Mercedes EQC is offered with 5 years / unlimited kms Comprehensive Service Package, 5 years / unlimited kms Extended Warranty and 5 years / unlimited kms On-Road Assistance.

What you'll like:

• The first and only luxury Electric SUV in the Indian market
• 408 BHP with three quarters of a ton in torque. 0-100 in 5.1 seconds
• Luxurious inside out with excellent fit and finish. Typical Mercedes
• Healthy range for those weekend hill-station getaways
• 5-star NCAP safety rating & kit: 7 airbags, blindspot assist, attention assist, lane departure warnings, ESP, etc.
• Well-packaged: Drive modes, in-cabin comforts, standard equipment...
• Environment friendly! Zero emissions and 95% recyclable materials in the entire car

What you won't:

• Terrible ground clearance. Will scrape over even medium-sized speed breakers or road undulations
• Cabin space is restrictive for 5 occupants. Better for 4 onboard
• Lack of fast charging network in the country
• Bumpy ride quality on bad roads
• We'd expect a longer range after spending 1+ crore! Example, the ZS EV isn't that far behind
• Unpredictable traffic conditions in the country could hamper range significantly