► Mercedes Concept EQA
► A-class goes electric
► At Frankfurt 2017
Mercedes is pushing on with its new electric EQ sub-brand and has miniaturised its EQ concept. The new Concept EQA is an electric A-class of the future, and it’s on display at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show.
The headlines include the implementation of two powerful electric motors, Merc’s new (take a breath) ‘Sensual Purity’ design and tech that includes inductive charging and laser fibre headlights.
Head honcho at Mercedes cars, Dr Dieter Zetsche says that the Concept EQA ‘proves that we are serious about introducing electric mobility throughout the portfolio.’
How powerful are these electric motors?
Mercedes claims that the two electric motors can reach a total output of ‘over 200kW, thanks to scalable battery components’. For reference, that’s almost twice the output of the new Nissan Leaf. Maximum torque is rated at 369lb ft and Mercedes claims a 0-62mph time of ‘around 5 seconds’.
That power is sent to all four wheels, with Sport and Sport Plus drive profiles to manage it all.
Mercedes also says that its new EQA can manage around 249 miles on a single charge, and that the car’s rapid charging capabilities can make 62 miles-worth of range available in 10 minutes.
The EQA concept can be charged via a wallbox plug or via induction like wireless charging on the latest smartphones.
Again with this Sensual Purity stuff?
Yep – Mercedes’ new barf-inducing name for its latest design strategy has spawned the EQ SUV and the Concept A that was revealed at the 2017 Shanghai motor show. Mercedes hopes that the EQA will ‘usher in a new design era.’
The EQA is shorter, lower and slightly slimmer than the current-generation A-class hatch, and its design is almost completely devoid of creases. The three-pointed star is still prominent on the front and lights up with different graphics depending on which drive mode you’re in. The headlights use laser fibres for a bit of high-tech appeal.
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