The Mercedes-Benz Concept EQA, unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt International Motor Show, demonstrates how the EQ strategy can be introduced to the compact class. Featuring one electric motor at the front axle and one at the rear, the electric athlete has a system output of over 200 kW. The drive characteristics can be altered by varying the permanent all-wheel drive’s front to rear torque distribution. The Concept EQA shows which program has been selected on a unique virtual radiator grille. The Concept EQ (Paris Motor Show 2016) – a study with the look of a sporty SUV coupé – heralded the launch of the new EQ product and technology brand. Now Mercedes-Benz is showing how an EQ model in the compact segment could look.
At the same time, the Concept EQA is another example of the logical evolution of the Sensual Purity design idiom: sharp edges and lines have been significantly reduced. One example of the new electric aesthetic is the light technology which features laser fibres. Here a laser-activated medium is embedded in the centre of a fibre-optic cable. The eye-catching spiral-shaped light signet underlines the electric concept, its design evoking the copper windings of an electric motor and the animation visualizing electrical impulses.
Two electric motors, with a system output that can be increased to over 200 kW thanks to scalable battery components, and permanent all-wheel drive deliver impressive dynamic performance. The two drive programs “Sport” and “Sport Plus” offer a different front to rear torque distribution, allowing a choice of individual drive characteristics.
The black panel at the front end acts as a virtual radiator grille and changes its look according to the drive program. In the “Sport” drive program the grille depicts a flaming wing in horizontal format, while in “Sport Plus” mode vertical struts in the style of a Panamericana radiator grille are displayed.
The headlamps are seamlessly embedded in the black panel grille and, together with the animated 3D grille, produce the new EQ face. The signet of the daytime running lamps reflects the hallmark Mercedes-Benz look. This underlines the feel of effortless superiority and sportiness. The blue lines are continued in the bumpers, giving the vehicle a lower-slung look.
When it comes to the light technology, Mercedes-Benz has opted for laser fibres. Unlike laser diodes, where electrical energy flows into a semiconductor, here a laser-activated medium is embedded in the centre of a fibre-optic cable. This new technology ensures homogeneous lighting of the road and, from a design point of view, creates a three-dimensional look with precise contours. The spiral-shaped light signet underlines the electric concept, its design evoking the copper windings of an electric motor and the animation visualizing electrical impulses.
The large, wrap-around rear window extends around the sides as far as the muscular shoulders. Beneath the black window is a lighting strip, which also extends across the entire width of the vehicle, underlining the sporty nature of the Concept EQA. Like the headlamps at the front, the rear lamps also use laser fibre technology and also visualize electrical impulses.
Further black panels at the front, rear, and sides of the Concept EQA accommodate LED strips. These are elements of a unique welcome light, which could be activated during the remote parking process, for example.
In combination with the intelligent Mercedes-Benz operating strategy, the Concept EQA achieves a range of around 248 miles, depending on the battery capacity installed. The highly efficient lithium-ion battery with pouch cells is supplied by the Daimler subsidiary Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE. Thanks to their modular design, the innovative battery systems have a model-specific total capacity of over 60 kWh.
The Concept EQA can be charged via induction or wall-box and is also ready for rapid charging. The vision for using public charging stations is “seamless charging”: this Mercedes me-based service makes it easy to charge and pay at different charging stations.
The Mercedes-Benz Concept EQA, like the smart vision EQ fortwo, will enjoy its world premiere at the 2017 International Motor Show in Frankfurt. The smart show car provides a new vision of urban mobility and individualized, highly flexible local public transport: the autonomous concept vehicle picks up its passengers directly from their chosen location. New individualization options help users to recognize that it is “their” vehicle: the black panel on the front, the LED displays in place of the headlamps and rear lamps and the large projection surfaces on the sides of the smart vision EQ fortwo allow an unprecedented degree of vehicle individualization, ideal for car sharing. Freed from the task of driving, the passengers are able to relax in the large interior.
all images courtesy of Daimler AG