While the whole world has had its eyes on Geneva, Mercedes engineers thought they could sneak out and test their top-secret new EQC electric SUV without anyone noticing. Then they ruined it all by posting a video on YouTube showing off all their testing in Northern reaches of Sweden, subjecting it to massive winds and -35º Celsius temperatures, which is like, -600º Fahrenheit. There were also wolves and trees and snow and bridges, apparently.

The EQC was first introduced as the Generation EQ with electric motors on each axle to produce 516 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 time under 5 seconds. Of course they promised over 300 miles of range, but with the Jaguar I-Pace offering 240 miles, they may not feel as much pressure to beat the Tesla Model X's 289 miles, though it will at least introduce an entirely new architecture designed specifically for EVs.

Despite the exclusive platform, it looks a lot like a GLC, although the front lighting accents hint at the swooping shapes seen on the Generation EQ and EQ A concepts, the roofline looks to be a match, and the camouflage could very well be hiding a very similar face to the concept. The video details some of the extensive testing in the snow, hypes the fun factor that the EQC will bring, and then shows it sliding around on a frozen lake… well of course it's fun sliding around on a frozen lake, but let's see how fun it is stuck on a two-hour rush hour commute.

Taking a page out of Tesla's playbook, the EQC has been a long-time coming, first seen in Generation EQ concept form almost two years ago at the Paris Auto show, then taking deposits last September well before production is set to begin Germany later this year. Mercedes has also announced it will begin manufacturing electric SUVs at its American Tuscaloosa plant where they build the GLE and GLS lines, so a larger electric EQ is likely on the horizon.

Check out more information about Mercedes's electric SUV.