In the realm of old world automotive luxury, few can stand on the same stage as Mercedes-Benz. Starting in 1886, Carl Benz’s legacy has endured as being one that blends style and function. With the new fully electric EQC Edition 1886, Mercedes-Benz pays homage to its transformative history as it takes a firm step towards bringing clean energy to its cars.
The EQC model is a technological marvel from the inside out. Starting with the heart of the vehicle – the engine – the EQC model is capable of going from 0 to 100km/h in just over 5 secs. It sports a fully variable 4-wheel 4matic drive and has a range of 445 to 471 km. Driver support includes the MBUX intuitive system, which features natural voice control, touch-sensitive surfaces and Augmented Reality for navigation.
If you’re plagued by fears of being stranded on your driveway with an empty battery, the EQC model faces this head-on through its compatibility with domestic mains sockets. Alternatively, the Mercedes-Benz Wallbox can also be purchased for a more convenient and streamline charging experience, both at home and at work. The battery itself is no slouch either: Mercedes-Benz guarantees a maximum battery capacity of at least 19.6 kWh, which will last for either a period of eight years or 100,000 km (whichever is met first).
It’s hard to say what this means for the luxury car manufacturer. The brand’s hybrid models meant that the release of a fully electric car was all but certain. However, this isn’t the first electric car to break into the luxury market.The Audi e-tron and the Jaguar I-Pace may be recent entries, but still managed to beat the German automotive brand to the punchline.
What is impressive however, is Mercedes-Benz’s dedication to preserving its signature experience in light of technological advancements. While innovation remains a top priority within the industry, this has not resulted in them forsaking essence for improvement. A car is not just a car, but rather a vessel with which to navigate through life. The oft-repeated adage of “it’s not about the destination, but the journey” springs to mind, and it certainly seems to be what Mercedes-Benz is driving towards.