Mercedes-Benz electrifies off-road adventures

By RIZAL JOHAN | 14 October 2020


STUTTGART: The Mercedes-Benz EQC 4x4² shows that electrification can be enjoyed off-road as well as on public roads.

This is thanks to a small team of dedicated developers who created this drivable technology platform on the basis of an EQC 400 4MATIC.

Some of the technical highlights include the multi-link portal axles as well as the production of a powerful sound in the interior and exterior.

The headlamps turn into "lampspeakers", because they also function as a loudspeaker at the same time.

Mercedes-Benz wants to test the limits with this vehicle, and show that e-mobility is not just urban commutes, but also conceivable off-road as well.

mb


The one-off was developed by a cross-departmental team under development engineer Jürgen Eberle which has already put the E 400 All-Terrain 4x4² on its studded wheels.

"Our aim is to combine modern luxury and sustainability with emotional appeal. The EQC 4x4² shows how enjoyable sustainable mobility can be.

"This is where electromobility high-tech and an intriguing customer experience are transferred to the mountains, thanks to MBUX and over-the-air updates. To put it succinctly, electric, progressive luxury goes offroad," says Markus Schäfer, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG responsible for Daimler Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars COO.

"This drivable study clearly shows that alongside a passion for e-mobility, we at Mercedes-Benz lay a strong claim to leadership in this sector and will heighten the emotional appeal of this even further in the future."

Its capabilities include driving through sand in desert regions and on beaches, on rocky terrain and through mountain streams. It also allows trailer operation and installation of a roof-rack.

mb4


At 293mm, the EQC 4x4² rides more than twice as high as a production EQC (140mm).

The fording depth is increased by 15cm, to 40cm. The tremendous ground clearance is made possible by the conversion to portal axles: unlike conventional axles, the wheels are not at the height of the axle centre, but are instead situated much lower down on the axle hubs owing to the portal gears.

Or conversely, the entire vehicle moves up. The 4x4² suspension is attached to the same body mounting points as the standard suspension.

Just as impressive are the approach and departure angles – 31.8 degrees at the front and 33 degrees at the rear.

The reprogrammed Off-Road drive programs take advantage of the high-performance logic of the current GLC models.

mb2


For example, using targeted brake interventions, this enables an improved torque curve when starting on loose ground.

In combination with the tyres in size 285/50 R 20, this results in an impressive sure-footedness in terrain. The striking visual appearance is rounded off by the matt metallic gun-metal grey car film and the black wheel arch flares.

The EQC 4x4² is already the third model of the 4x4² family from Mercedes-Benz. The G 500 4x4² was actually built in series production from September 2015.

And in 2017, with the E 400 All-Terrain 4x4² study, Mercedes-Benz showed many an SUV its limitations when off-road.

mb3


 

Keywords