► Your first look at the new electric Mercedes C-Class
► Saloon is joined by a EQC SUV
► Early prototype spotted
Mercedes is hard at work on its second wave of electric vehicles, and you’re looking at one of the most important: the EQC. An all-new model designed to fit next to the EQC SUV (which replaces the current EQC) and below the EQE, the new car will be a saloon and essentially the electric version of the C-Class.
Our spy photographers have already caught the standard car testing, and now we can reveal fresh pictures of a hotter AMG version too. Spotted at the Nürburgring, these new snaps show off performance upgrades including a wider track and bigger brakes. There are bigger intakes at the front of the car too – despite its EV powertrain – and a closer look at some cornering shots suggests a firmer and lower suspension than the standard prototype.
There’s not much else to report in terms of specs, though CAR understands the AMG C-Class EV will opt for motors on both axles, with a heavy bias to the rear also possible for that tail-happy, Affalterbach experience.
What about the interior
We’ve also got spy shots of the new EQC’s interior, though it’s clearly still under development. However, even behind the camouflage you can pick out two touchscreens – as well as some air vents.
Don’t expect anything too unusual here, Mercedes is aiming to keep the interior and exterior design of its EQ range relatively stable between the models. Have a look inside the current EQS SUV, or even the EQE SUV, and you’ll pretty much have a sneak peek of the new car.
Electric C-Class
CAR understands the C-Class will continue to survive in ICE-form, with the EQC joining it in parallel. There’ll be two EQC models in reality; this and the larger SUV you can read about here. Mercedes is diversifying its updated electric line-up and will be offering a saloon and SUV version of almost all its electric models.
It’s a strategy mirrored over in Munich, where the new Neue Klasse i3 will take on the electric mantle for the new 3-series, which will also continue in ICE form. As you’d expect, there’ll also be a SUV version of the i3, too likely called the iX3 again.