Seven-seat Mercedes-Benz EQB priced

JOINING a growing range of electric Mercedes-Benz EQ cars is the EQB small/medium SUV that, for the first time, offers buyers a Benz seven-seat option from under $100,000.

The entry price for 2023 EQB five-seater is from $87,800 plus on-road costs.

The electron powered newcomer is essentially a fully electric version of the GLB thermal powered SUV with slight dimensional changes and of course, different styling at the front with a closed in grille for improved aerodynamics rated at an efficient 0.28Cd.

It follows other pure electric ‘Benz cars in Australia, the EQA, EQC and EQS that have sequentially arrived here since 2021.

Other Benz EQ models due before the end of the year include the EQE sedan, EQV people-mover and more-potent EQA350. Others follow next year as part of Mercedes-Benz’s plan to be fully electric by the end of the decade.

Two EQB models are available: single motor, front wheel drive EQB250 and dual motor EQB350 4Matic all-wheel drive with the former available in five- and seven-seat configuration and the latter as a five-seater only.

Prices are $87,800 plus ORCs for the EQB250 five seat, $90,700 plus ORCs for the EQB seven seat and $106,700 plus ORCs for the 4Matic EQB350 five-seater.

At the heart of the EQB is an electric drivetrain developed by Mercedes-EQ specifically for the Mercedes-EQ compact SUV range. The system’s operating temperature is optimised through cooling of the electric motors and the power electronics, as well as of the high-voltage lithium-ion battery.

To further reduce noise and vibration, which typically become more noticeable in the absence of the sound of a combustion engine, Mercedes-EQ engineers isolated the drive unit from the supporting frame, and the supporting frame from the body-in-white.

The lithium-ion battery serves as the central energy storage unit for the electric drive system. Its high energy density provides a usable energy content of 66.5kWh. Weighing 469kg, this unit is divided into several modules which are distributed beneath the vehicle floor to create a favourable centre of gravity.

The EQB250’s electric traction motor is good for 140kW of power and 385Nm of torque while the battery pack has a claimed WLTP rating range of 371km.

The EQB350 runs a 215kW and 520Nm dual motor set up capable of 360km range. The dual e-motors, one mounted on each axle, enable power to be sent variably where it’s most needed, and with a low centre of gravity thanks to the flat, wide battery pack optimally distributed beneath the floor, the EQB350 gives a stable yet agile driving experience, says Mercedes-Benz.

The 0-100km/h sprint takes 6.2 seconds.

Charging options for both models include an on board AC charger that allows up to 11kW feed in. The vehicle also provides direct current (DC) charging of up to 100kW, with a 10 to 80 per cent fast charge taking a claimed 30 minutes.

In terms of safety, EQB will ride off thermal powered GLB’s five-star EuroNCAP rating achieved back in 2019. That means a 95 per cent score for adult occupant protection, 91 per cent for children, 78 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 74 per cent for safety assist.

Each variant includes the following active safety equipment as standard: autonomous emergency braking (vehicle, pedestrian, and cyclist), lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, route-based speed adaptation, blind-spot alert, rear-cross traffic alert.

As with other vehicles in the Mercedes-EQ passenger vehicle line-up, the EQB250 includes acoustic ambient protection, which mitigates the risk posed to pedestrians and cyclists by the vehicle’s silent drivetrain by sounding an audible warning at speeds below 20km/h, plus a reversing tone.

Features found in the EQB250 variant include 19-inch two-tone alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch MBUX infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 360-degree camera system, keyless entry and push-button start, hands-free power tailgate, low-speed pedestrian alert sound and reversing tone, adaptive suspension, LED headlights, adaptive high beam, LED front light strip, rain-sensing wipers, tyre pressure monitoring, 64-colour configurable ambient lighting, type 2 CCS charging cable.

Step up to the EQB350 and it gains 20-inch black alloy wheels , AMG exterior styling, sports seats with adjustable head restraints, suede upholstery with red stitching, Nappa leather sports steering wheel, AMG carpet floor mats, backlit spiral-look trim elements, illuminated door sill, and a panoramic glass sunroof.

Several option packs are available including the Edition 1 package which will be available for “a limited time”.

Both Mercedes-Benz EQB models are available in local showrooms now.