Mercedes adds seven-seater EQB to its electric vehicle line-up

Mercedes has added yet another car to its growing list of electric vehicles with the announcement of its brand new seven-seater EQB model.

The all-electric compact SUV was revealed at the 2021 Shanghai motor show and while full details on the EQB have not yet been revealed, Mercedes has confirmed that pricing and specification will be announced towards the end of the year.

This is the second dedicated electric vehicle announced by the manufacturer in the space of a week, as it also unveiled the new electric EQS saloon.

An EQB 300 and EQB 350 version will be available to customers in the UK from launch, with Mercedes stating that several models will be available with with front-wheel and all-wheel drive and various power ratings – some of which will exceed 200 kW. It added that a “particularly long-range” version is also being planned, with initial versions set to be able to reach 260 miles of range.

It has also been designed to be even faster at direct-current fast charging stations, with the ability to charge from 10% to 80% in just 30 minutes.

The EQB compact SUV will be the first purely electrically powered production vehicle from Mercedes’ plant in Hungary, with production set to begin later this year.

Hubertus Troska, Daimler AG board member responsible for Greater China, said: “We are extremely delighted to world-premiere the all-electric EQB here in China. With its seven seats, the new EQB meets the needs of very family-oriented customers. In addition to the right products, our local production footprint is one of the decisive factors for sustainable growth in China. That’s why we are looking forward to produce the all-electric EQB in Beijing.”

First look

The new EQB demonstrates “Progressive Luxury in an edgy and characterful way,” according to Mercedes, which is characterised by a black panel grille and continuous light strips at front and rear, which helps different the models from its internal-combustion engine counterparts.

There are also outwardly positioned wheels which Mercedes says will give it a “powerful character and confident stance on the road.”

Designed to rival Audi’s new Q4 E-tron, the EQB will also be available with an AMG styling option, which will include new bumpers and 20” wheels.

Although the model is a seven-seater, the initial EQB models will have a length of 15.3 feet, making it almost 2-feet narrower than the EQS. However, the two seats in the third row can be used by people up to 5 ft 4 inches tall, and child seats can also be fitted there.

Gorden Wagener, chief design officer of Daimler Group, commented: “With the all new EQB we have created an iconic electric SUV that takes the heritage of our boxy off-road vehicles and transforms this into the future. We combine the significant boxy silhouette with futuristic elements such as the black-panel front to create the extraordinary look of the vehicle.”