EQS SUV

Segment
SUV

The Mercedes-Benz EQC is the first-ever electric vehicle to don the three-pointed star badge, but it won't be the last. We already know that Mercedes is expanding its EQ electric range with the EQS, a sleek electric luxury sedan with over 435 miles of range. But now our spies have spotted a new mysterious Mercedes EQ prototype being tested. According to our source, this electric Mercedes crossover prototype could be the all-new EQC.

If it seems soon for Mercedes to already be working on a replacement for the EQC, you would be right. In Europe, the Mercedes EQC has only been on sale since 2019, while the US launch has been pushed back until 2021. So why is Mercedes seemingly already working on the next-generation EQC?

One possible explanation is the platform. The Mercedes EQC rides on Mercedes' MRA platform, which also underpins the current C-Class and GLC. This platform was primarily designed for combustion engines, but we're expecting the new EQC to ride on the same dedicated EV platform as other upcoming compact Mercedes EVs like the EQA and EQB crossovers. With more space for the battery, the new EQC should offer more range than the current EV, which will last 279 miles on a single charge according to the NEDC rating. Sales for the EQC have also been underwhelming, which could prompt Mercedes to update the EQC sooner rather than later.

Mercedes is also developing a new GLC, which could be in development alongside the new EQC. Our spies also managed to snap some shots of the interior. The dashboard layout looks similar to the new S-Class, with a large digital display in front of the driver and an even larger vertical screen on the center stack.

Alternatively, we could be looking at an electric crossover version of the upcoming Mercedes EQE. It's difficult to tell at this point, but the prototype is being benchmarked against the Tesla Model X, which could support this theory since the Model X is larger than the EQC.