2016 Paris Motor Show: Mercedes teases its EV SUV

By CARSIFU | 28 September 2016




 

PARIS: A new video from Mercedes Benz asks drivers if they're "ready to change" and offers a tiny glimpse of what to expect when its long-gestating plug-in electric SUV concept car arrives at the Paris Motor Show on Sept 29.

Expected to be called the EQG and to mark the launch of a new EQ Mercedes-Benz sub-brand, the concept car is high on futuristic styling and fluorescent mood lighting.

Although the video gives very little substance to the company's claims that the car is truly revolutionary, it does confirm that the show car will have a minimalistic yet luxurious cabin that follows current interior design language and the same proportions externally as the company's current flagship GLS SUV.

Although Mercedes has toyed with electrification in the past (it sells an electric B-Class MPV and this month rolled out the latest generation of its electric SMART cars), the company is making a statement of intent with this show car- it takes plug-in electric vehicles seriously and it aims to be more Tesla than Tesla before the end of this decade.

According to the latest Jato Dynamics figures, published Tuesday, electric and hybird vehicle popularity is growing rapidly. Over the first half of 2016, 231,300 plug-in electric or plug-in hybrid cars were sold across Europe -- that's a 27% increase year on year -- and means that together they now represent 3% of the current European car market.

If growth continues at this rate, then they will represent 12-14% of new car sales by the end of the decade, and that is the moment when Mercedes will be planning to really launch its electric vehicle offensive.

And to generate as much interest and excitement as possible it should come as no surprise that Mercedes went for an SUV.

 

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