Say hello to the new Mercedes-Benz EQB - a pure-electric new seven-seat SUV that has got families well and truly in mind.
Consider it a zero-emissions version of the traditionally-fuelled GLB, which sits above the GLA in the Mercedes-Benz pecking order.
It’s expected to go on sale later this year and what’s important to note for UK customers is that the EQB will come with seven seats as standard, as opposed to being an option, with the two seats in the third row able to be used by people up to 5 ft 4 inches tall, while child seats can also be fitted there.
There’s also a massive maximum boot capacity of 1710 litres, making it perfect for those family jollies to Center Parcs.
Of course, leasing a car is about much more than how many seats it’s got, so what else does the compact EQB have going for it?
So far, we don’t know all of the details about the powertrain, but Mercedes-Benz has told us that the EQB range will include several models with front-wheel and all-wheel drive, various power ratings – some of which will exceed 200 kW – plus batteries with usable capacities starting from 66.5 kWh.
A particularly long-range version is also planned.
At launch, lease customers will be able to get their mitts on the EQB ‘350 4MATIC’ variant, which has a range of up to 297 miles.
Style wise, the EQB features the typical Mercedes-EQ black panel grille with central star as well as a continuous light strip at front and rear.
The driver faces a widescreen Cockpit, with control and display via ‘MBUX’ - the well-received Mercedes-Benz User Experience. And the interior should be as luxurious as you’ve come to expect, complete with rose gold accents and tubular aluminium flourishes.
There should be bags of room for all passengers, with 1035 millimetres of headroom in the front and 979 millimetres in the second row.
Intelligent sat-nav comes as standard, which calculates the fastest route to the destination, including any necessary charging stops. Speaking of charging, using a fast box you’ll be able to replenish the battery from 10-80 percent in just 30 minutes.
When you’re transporting families you also need a car to be safe - which is another box the EQB happily ticks. The EQB features intelligent driving assistance systems like Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Brake Assist, with autonomous braking, both fitted as standard.
That latter system is also able to brake for stationary vehicles and crossing pedestrians at typical city speeds.
A Mercedes-Benz spokesperson says:
“Whether a large nuclear family or a small extended family: as a seven-seater, the new EQB offers space for many family constellations and a wide variety of transport needs.
This gives it an exceptional position not only in the compact segment, but especially among electric cars. Following the EQA 250 it is the second fully electric compact car from Mercedes-EQ.”
UK pricing and specification will be announced towards the end of the year, with first deliveries expected to be shortly after it goes on sale.
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