Mercedes Benz EQC 400 Luxury Electric SUV Launched at 99.3 lakh

by admin | October 12, 2020

Mercedes Benz EQC 400 4Matic Luxury Electric SUV Launched at 99.3 lakh

Mercedes-Benz India has finally launched the EQC400 in the Indian market in keeping with the trend of electric SUVs. The EQC400 has been launched with introductory prices starting from Rs 99.30 lakh ex-showroom.

Powertrain

The EQC400 is powered by an 80 kWh battery pack stored under the floor. The motor is capable of producing maximum power output of over 408bhp and max torque of 765Nm. The electric SUV will do a 0-100kmph sprint in just 5.1 seconds. Top speed will be limited to 180 km/h whereas the EQC400 is claimed to have a full range of 400km on a single charge. A full charge from a standard 15A (3.4kW) domestic socket will take 21 hours whereas a 7.5kW wall-box charger provided by Mercedes will take 10 hours. The network of 50kW DC fast chargers could drastically reduce the charging times to 90min.

The Mercedes-Benz EQC400 is based on the GLE platform and is powered by twin electric motors. Mercedes-EQ is a different brand altogether and select Mercedes-Benz India dealerships will have a separated EQ space along with designated staff and workers of the EQ brand. Mercedes is also said to have taken care of the charging infrastructure and network as well. Mercedes-EQ India100es in India.

Exterior

In terms of exterior design, the EQC400 features a unique grille and futuristic headlamps, complemented by an LED bar, a few blue accents, and tail-lamps joined by an LED bar. This would look nothing like the other Mercedes SUVs in India.

Interior

On the inside, it features the typical new-age Mercedes layout, with dual-screen infotainment and instrumentation display. Other details like the bronze inserts in the air-con vents and unique seat design sets it apart. The electric SUV features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with connected tech, a massive sunroof, seven airbags and Attention Assist, amongst other convenience features.

Mercedes-Benz India will also offer 8 year/1.6 lakh kilometres warranty with the EQC400.

Price

Being an EV, buyers will get a lot of deductions and benefits with Mercedes claiming the on-road price of the EQC400 same as the ex-showroom price. However, the 99.30 lakh price is only for first 50 buyers and is likely to be increased later on.

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Jeep Compass 7 Seat SUV - Are you waiting for it?

Jeep 7 seat SUV? It's already a well-known fact that Jeep is developing a new 7-seat SUV based on the Jeep Compass’ platform. While this new Jeep Full-size SUV will share a lot of parts with the Jeep Compass including the diesel engine, it likely to get a more powerful version of the 2.0-litre diesel engine that currently serves on the five-seat Compass.

This new SUV will carry forward the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, Multijet turbo-diesel engine which is available on the Jeep Compass, Tata Harrier and MG Hector. However, on this 7 seat SUV, this engine will produce around 200PS of

Power through the same 9-speed Torque converter automatic gearbox. A 6-speed manual transmission too will be available.

Internationally, General Motors’ version of the same 2.0L engine produces 210hp which can be seen under the hood of cars like the Opel Insignia sedan.

Apart from the turbo-diesel, this new SUV is also expected to get a 2.0L turbo petrol engine.

While the seven-seat version will be based on the Compass’ monocoque platform, it will be extended significantly to accommodate the third row of seats. The increase in wheelbase and length will also result in improved cabin space, especially in the middle row.

Design:

While the actual car hasn’t been revealed yet, prototypes of this SUV testing in Brazil. Going by the Spy images, the front-end of the new seven-seat SUV will remain largely similar to the Compass facelift except for some minor changes. The rear doors are also expected to become longer to aid entry-exit, while the rear styling will be significantly different with a larger overhang.

Features:

This new 7 seat SUV will offer more features than the top-spec Compass including a panoramic sunroof, full-LED auto headlamps, a large 10” touchscreen system, a colour TFT instrument cluster, leather upholstery, premium speakers, 18” or 19” inch alloy wheels, cruise control, more than 6 airbags, multiple drive modes and ESP with hill hold.

Launch and pricing:

When launched by late 2021 in the Indian market, the new 7-seat Jeep SUV will compete against rivals like the new MG Gloster, the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour.

Stay tuned for further updates.

Skoda Rapid 1.0L TSI

A smaller engine it is for sure when compared to the big 1.6 unit. However, the 1.0L engine is not really a tortoise. Generating 110 PS and 175 NM of torque, power figures aren’t that bad for such a small engine. After all, the engine is of a Turbocharged Stratified Injection (TSI) type that offers all the power when you need it but otherwise remains fuel efficient as fuel efficiency claimed by Skoda is 18.24 KMPL.

Prices of the Skoda Rapid TSI start at 9.06 Lakhs and go all the way upto 14.72 Lakhs. Prices are Ex- showroom. Available in 5

manual transmission variants, the petrol only sedan comes with a choice of six colour options- Flash Red, Candy White, Lapiz Blue, Brilliant Silver, Carbon Steel and Toffee Brown. Some colours however maybe restricted to a few variants only.

For the kind of kit it offers for the price, the Rapid TSI competes with the Volkswagen Vento, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, and Hyundai Verna. Though some cars like the Tata Nexon, Maruti Vitarra Brezza and Ford Ecosport are from a different segment, they could compete if buyers are not restricted to one segment since they are priced in a similar way.

What's so special about Ford cars in India?

And then there are people who adore their cars, love them and live with them. People who love driving their machines. People who call themselves automobile enthusiasts, car lovers, petrolheads, etc.

Enthusiasts as we know are an endangered species today because very often, challenges and responsibilities in life ensure we leave aside our passion for short or long periods of time. The RPM needle doesn't go past the half mark. Fuel economy suddenly becomes the most important factor to consider in a car. Comfy suspension replaces the sporty suspension. That fun to drive factor is replaced by a dead,

light and lifeless steering wheel. Life, then as we know gets dreary and lifeless.

But does it really have to be that way? Does life always have to go in that direction? Or is there a way where can have a bite from both worlds and maintain equilibrium? Of course, you still can’t expect good mileage if you rev it too much. But still, we think there's still hope for people like us. A way where we could maintain a fine balance between fun and responsibility. A balance between passion and practicality.

Often, we find this balance in cars from Ford. Of course not all of them from the fleet have this speciality where you get two things for the price of one. But mostly, they do have the capability to bring a smile on your face every time you take those cars out for a drive.

Ford Ecosport, Ford Fiesta, Ford Figo, Ford Freestyle. They've all been around us for a pretty long time. We’ve seen them evolve with us (except the Freestyle) but most importantly, what has stayed in this process of evolution is a communicative steering wheel that lets you feel every crack on the road, a suspension setup that offers decent comfort and enough stiffness to handle those curves. Horsepower figures are usually just enough to take you back by surprise and yet, there’s enough fuel left to do a last minute road trip.

This fusion of both worlds creates such a blend that driving these machines indeed feels very special. Not only this, We’ve mostly seen that cars from Ford India often offer safety features like 6 airbags, ARP, TCS, etc to even cars like the Freestyle! That says a lot about what the brand really prioritises on. We haven’t even moved onto the service costs yet because we feel that would be off topic.

With so many different choices in the market today and in this ever ending race between manufacturers to be on the top, what is often left behind is the essence of driving. Sadly, items like large infotainment systems, sunroof, projector head lamps, etc are features that are considered a priority by consumers while cars that offer an excellent driving experience with other satisfactory features are being ignored. To petrol heads like us, this is a worrying trend indeed. It is easy to find cars that go fast and have all the latest features. But it is indeed difficult to find great cars today that offer a blend of both worlds. Enthusiastic drivers and drivers’ cars then, are indeed endangered species.