The electric Mercedes-Benz EQC SUV was launched in Australia at a special unveiling for first customers on March 12.
The function at Melbourne’s Mercedes me store was held well ahead of the on-sale date, expected to be later in 2019.
Guests also learned about the infrastructure and support for the wider EQ program being put in place, through which Mercedes-Benz aims to bring electrification to every model range by 2022.
EQC testing program head Karl Scheible from the Mercedes-Benz factory in Stuttgart attended the launch and has spent the most time driving it of anyone, testing the SUV in extreme heat and cold, and for speed, reliability and comfort in various countries.
“The main differences are that we have no transmission in an electric car, and maximum torque at zero kilometres per hour, so it was a big challenge to find the perfect combination between driveability and acceleration, and a compromise between sportiness and comfort, and driveability,” he says.
Some customers at the launch joined Scheible the following day at a private test facility to become the first Australians to ride in the EQC.
Delivering the first electric Mercedes-Benz production vehicle is an extremely proud moment for the company, Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific managing director and chief executive officer Horst von Sanden says.
“I was fortunate enough to drive around in an EQC today and I was absolutely blown away,” he says. “I currently drive a high-performance Mercedes-AMG car and I enjoy it, but having been in the EQC, the torque, the acceleration and the smoothness of the ride was just mind-blowing.
“Mercedes-Benz has committed to launching an electric car in every model until 2022, so you can imagine this is just the beginning of a massive onslaught of electric vehicles by Mercedes-Benz.”
The EQC will be displayed to invited customers at the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge across the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019 weekend, the race on March 17 at the Melbourne circuit.
