By Otsile Kadiege

After the recent digital world premiere of the much anticipated Mercedes-Benz EQS, the automaker has unveiled yet another EQ model based on the GLB – the all-new Mercedes-Benz EQB. The premium compact SUV will be built at a Beijing Benz Automotive Co. Ltd (BBAC) run factory in China.

EQ-specific styling

Like the EQA, the EQB has been dressed with EQ tell tale styling like the typical Mercedes-EQ black panel grille with a central three-pointed star, DRLs, a continuous light strip and full-LED headlights with blue colored highlights. It has also been fitted EQ-specific wheels like the light-alloy wheels in a bi- or tri-color design, up to 20 inches in size, available with rosé gold-colored or blue decorative trim. The rear end also feature LED tail lights which merge seamlessly into the tapered LED light strip.

Much of the interior remains the same as the GLB although the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) has EQ-specific menu functions and features like the standard Navigation with Electric Intelligence which calculates the fastest route to the destination, including any necessary charging stop. The EQB can be specified with rosé gold-colored trims. As standard the Chinese version of the EQB will be a 7-seater.

All-electric

The automaker is mum on the full details of the powertrian but did shared a few noteworthy details. In China, the EQB will be launched as a fully equipped top-of-the-range model with AMG Line package producing 215 kW. In Europe, customers will have the choice between several models with front-wheel and all-wheel drive and various power levels, some rated at over 200 kW. The usable capacity of the batteries in Europe is 66.5 kWh.

The combined electrical consumption of the EQB 350 4MATIC in Europe is 19.2-18.1 kWh/100 km and it has a range up to 419 km.

Future plans

Mercedes-Benz is also planning to launch the electric business saloon – EQE. The Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid family is being renewed with electrified derivatives of the C-Class and the S-Class.