Times change… prototypes change. After the last two prototypes it decided to “square”, the 4×4² G500 (which was produced) and the E-Class 4×4² All-Terrain using combustion engines, the star brand decided to show that the electric vehicles can also be radical and created the Mercedes-Benz EQC 4×4².
Created by Jürgen Eberle and his team (already responsible for the E-Class 4 × 4² All-Terrain), this prototype follows a recipe identical to the one used to create the adventurous van that Mercedes-Benz unveiled a few years ago.
In other words, the ground clearance has increased, the off-road capabilities as well and the end result is a Mercedes-Benz EQC capable of leaving behind on an all-terrain route to the “eternal” G-Class.
What changes in EQC 4×4²?
To start with, Jürgen Eberle's team offered the EQC 4×4² a multilink suspension with gantry axles (debuted in the E-Class 4×4² All-Terrain) which is based on the same mounting points as the original suspension. To this suspension are also added 285/50 R20 tires.
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All of this allows the Mercedes-Benz EQC 4×4² to be 293 mm above the ground, 153 mm more than the standard version and 58 mm more than the G-Class, and 20 cm taller than the EQC.
With 10 cm wider wheel arches, the EQC 4×4² is able to traverse 400 mm deep watercourses (the EQC is at 250 mm) and has much more pronounced all-terrain angles. Thus, compared to the "normal" EQC, which has attack, exit and ventral angles of, respectively, 20.6º, 20º and 11.6º, the 4×4² EQC responds with angles of 31.8º, 33º and 24, 2nd, following the same order.
As for electrical mechanics, this has not undergone any change. In this way we continue to have two 150 kW motors, one for each axle, which together offer 408 hp (300 kW) of power and 760 Nm.
Powering them remains a 405 V battery with a nominal capacity of 230 Ah and 80 kWh. As for autonomy, although there is no data, thanks to the huge tires and the greater height we doubt that it will continue on the 416 km announced by EQC.
Now it also "makes noise"
In addition to gaining ground clearance and a more muscular look (courtesy of the wheel arch expanders), the Mercedes-Benz EQC 4×4² also saw its off-road driving programs reprogrammed to, for example, facilitate starting on surfaces with poor grip.
Finally, the EQC 4×4² also received a new acoustic system that emits sounds both outside and inside. In this way, the… headlights themselves act as loudspeakers.
As might be expected, unfortunately there don't seem to be any plans to turn the Mercedes-Benz EQC 4×4² into a production model.