Don't tell anyone, but there are rumors that Mercedes is having difficulty getting rid of the super-streamlined EQS and EQE. The very smooth appearance of the two EQ models would put off Mercedes customers who prefer a more, er, stately car. Top Gear talk about the rumors with Mercedes vice-chairman Christoph Starzynski. He confirms the messages from his customers.
“We received that comment and we take it seriously,” Starzynski said. According to him, the Mercedes of the future will look more like the CLA concept that you see in the gallery below. This study model is, as you have already noticed, designed completely differently than the smooth EQS. There is a larger 'hood' and the trunk has also grown. The CLA also has something we recognize as a grille. And that is special, because it increases air resistance (and therefore reduces the range).
Will Mercedes completely stop with the very streamlined designs? Starzynski will neither confirm nor deny this. Has anyone ever said that and later found out it wasn't true? Oh no? “It's actually a first glimpse of what to expect in the future of Mercedes-Benz,” Starzynski added. So you can bet that we will see more cars like the CLA concept and fewer slick EQ models.
Mercedes is discontinuing the EQ line
What is also striking is that the study model is called 'Concept CLA' and not 'Concept EQ CLA'. When asked, Starzynski says that the production version will not be called EQC, but C. 'Ultimately, our ultimate goal is to become fully electric. So finally the book closes and the nomenclature comes [namen van producten red.] will come about automatically,” says the vice-chairman. Mercedes will therefore stop the EQ line at some point.
Now Mercedes will not throw all EQ badges in the trash overnight. Once all models have an electric version, the EQ line will no longer be needed and will be phased out. That moment could come sooner than we think. Starzynski provides a glimpse of the first electric Mercedes without an EQ badge.
The first Mercedes EV without EQ could arrive this year
The first car to get the badge change will be the electric G-class. That's strange, because the concept version of this has been given the name 'ECG'. We inquired with Mercedes Netherlands. They tell us that the details of the electric G-Wagon will only be announced upon introduction. That introduction will be later this year. This would mean that the first EV-Merc without an EQ badge could appear as early as this year.
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