Generation EQ. That's the name of the new Mercedes-Benz prototype, the model that anticipates the future electric model range of the Stuttgart brand. Unlike other brands, Mercedes-Benz chose to debut in zero-emission models with an SUV, the most popular segment today. And if in this chapter the German brand played it safe, when it came to design Mercedes-Benz made an effort to develop an innovative and distinctive look.
The Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ adopts a curvy body in silver that the brand calls Alubeam Silver, in which the main highlight is necessarily the front grille with a futuristic luminous signature that should be part of the production version. Another new feature is the door handles and side mirrors, or rather, the lack of them.
Gorden Wagener, Head of Design Department at DaimlerIts beauty is due to a reinterpretation of our design philosophy with sensual lines. The aim is to create an avant-garde, contemporary and distinctive look. The design of this prototype has been reduced to the essentials, but it already reveals an interesting progression.
The cabin, on the other hand, stands out for its futuristic and minimalist look. For the sake of functionality, most of the functions are concentrated on the instrument panel, which consists of a 24″ touchscreen (with the new navigation system from Nokia), and on the secondary screen in the center console. State-of-the-art technology also extends to the doors, where recorded images are reproduced through the side cameras (which replace the rear-view mirrors), the steering wheel (which includes two small OLED screens) and even the pedals — see gallery below.
The Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ uses two electric motors — one on each axle — with 408 hp of combined power and 700 Nm of torque. According to the brand, with the all-wheel drive system (standard), the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h is accomplished in less than 5s, while the autonomy is 500 km, thanks to the lithium-ion battery (developed internally by the brand) with a capacity of 70 kWh. Another new feature is the wireless charging technology (pictured above), a wireless charging solution that will be debuted in the next hybrid version of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (facelift).
The production version of the Generation EQ Concept is only scheduled for 2019 — before the launch of an electric saloon. Both will be developed under the new platform (EVA) and are expected to be launched through the new Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle sub-brand.
