All-electric Mercedes EQV lands in Australia

BUSINESS and celebrity groups, musicians, hotel guests and big families can now travel Australia with a clear conscience in the lap of luxury following the arrival of Mercedes-Benz’s electric EQV people mover, priced from $155,338 plus on-road costs.

The EQV joins the more utilitarian $116,115 + ORC eVito Tourer people mover that arrived in Australian Mercedes showrooms in September, but serves as the German brand’s first luxury electric people mover as part of an onslaught of EQ-branded pure electric models the manufacturer’s EV-focused division.

Both could end up in the fight with LDV’s Mifa 9 electric people mover, currently Australia’s most expensive Chinese-branded vehicle with a three-variant range price from $106,000-$131,000 before on-road costs.

Designed to meet varying needs, the EQV is a configurable seven-seater minivan built on adapted internal combustion engine architecture that M-B says combines a car-like drive feel with low-emissions mobility and high functionality in an aesthetically pleasing design.

A high-voltage battery is positioned under EQV’s floor to maximise passenger space with two second-row armchairs and a three-person bench seat in the third row followed by a luggage compartment with an electrically operated tailgate complete with separately opening glass.

Optionally, the EQV can be specified with four individual leather armchairs in the rear compartment for use in the airport transfer and executive shuttle space.

Equipped with a high roofline to facilitate walk-in access, the EQV features electrically operated side sliding doors and generous interior proportions for enhanced passenger comfort.

A luxury leather ambience pervades the interior starting with driver and front passenger seats that have power adjustment with memory settings, lumbar support and seat heating.

In-dash is Mercedes’ acclaimed MBUX infotainment system which, through voice commands and a 10.25-inch touchscreen, controls audio, telephony, navigation and vehicle settings.

Further improving comfort in the EQV is pre-entry climate control that can be activated in advance to heat or cool the cabin before departure.

The MBUX system also provides a menu of information including charging current, energy flow and a consumption histogram. The display also facilitates the use of the EQV’s navigation system, charge functions and drive modes.

From a practical standpoint, the EQV delivers generous storage space of up to 1030 litres of cargo space provided depending on seating configuration.

Powering the EQV’s front wheels is a single e-motor with maximum power of 150kW and maximum torque of 365Nm, fed by a 90kWh lithium ion battery that M-B says provides a range of up to 418km using an average 26.32kWh per 100km.

The vehicle has a DC charging capability of up to110kW which translates into a top up from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 45 minutes.

With the provided M-B Wallbox that kicks out 11kW of AC power, a full recharge takes approximately 10 hours.

Mercedes says locating the battery underfloor gives handling and ride benefits to the EQV as it has a low centre of gravity despite being a tall vehicle.

Also contributing to the vehicle’s capable dynamics is standard ‘Airmatic’ air suspension that M-B says enhances the EQV’s plush, controlled ride as it continuously adapts to road conditions.

Four drive modes are available through the MBUX control system, comprising two Eco modes plus Comfort and Sport.

In addition, five levels of regenerative braking are provided, the most active D- mode providing near one pedal driving while a DAuto mode uses radar to automatically adjust the energy harvesting level relative to traffic conditions.

As expected, the EQS provides a comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance tech ranging from radar cruise control through 360-degree camera views, active parking assist, active brake assist, hill-start assist, lane-keep assist, blind-spot assist, crosswind assist and LED intelligent light assist with high-beam assist along with the obligatory reversing camera and sensors, and rain sensing wipers .

Standard kit is generous, the EQV packing a premium Burmester audio system, automatic climate control with semi-automatic rear zones, smartphone connectivity and a leather multi-function steering wheel.

Though essentially a one-box vehicle, the EQV’s external appearance is made a little more special by black and chrome highlights and some AMG-designed aerodynamic accoutrements as well as anodised roof rails and 18-inch gloss black alloys wheels.

According to the Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia MD Diane Tarr, the new model offers large families or transfer operators ”all the space and practicality they need, but with less impact on the environment, the potential to lower running costs and no compromise on luxury”.

“This means that it offers all of the typical qualities of the brand and category that our customers expect, whether as a family car or as a shuttle vehicle,” she said.

M-B offers a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty on the EQV for private use or five years and 250,000km for commercial use.

EQV buyers receive a 12-month Chargefox subscription for complimentary public charging.