Mercedes' first compact electric vehicle is nothing less than a GLA.
Apart from the closed grille underlined with a luminous mesh in its upper part, the rear hatch crossed by a light strip, the reshaped rear bumper (+ 5 cm) and the specific rose gold-colored rims, nothing differentiates the exterior. the EQA of the last compact SUV of the firm with the star whose success cannot be denied.
Unsurprisingly, the interior layout refers to the thermal model, except on the passenger side where the dashboard is hollowed out and backlit.
Identical to that of the GLA, the rear space can count on standard folding backrests according to the 40/20/40 ratio.
You have to press the push button to realize that the EQA belongs to the new family of electric vehicles.
Installed under the front hood, the 190 hp asynchronous motor is powered by a 66.5 kWh lithium-ion battery placed under the floor.
As a result of this architecture, the trunk loses 85 liters of volume compared to the GLA.
Mercedes-Benz AG - Global Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans / http: //media.daimler.com
According to the manufacturer, the accumulators guarantee a range of 420 km and their direct current charging power of 100 kW allows recharging to 80% in just 30 minutes.
On an 11 kW wallbox, the wait increases to 5.45 hours. To encourage motorists to take the plunge, subscription to the Ionity network is offered for the first year.
It gives access to the reduced rate of € 0.29 / kW instead of € 0.79 / kW.
From the second year, the subscription is billed 156 €.
Mercedes-Benz AG - Global Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans / http: //media.daimler.com
A 30-minute test drive convinced us that the 190 hp was enough to guarantee good liveliness, especially since, it is the characteristic of the electric, the maximum torque (375 Nm) is available from the start.
More than the 0 to 100 km / h reached in 8.9 seconds, the EQA is distinguished by energetic pickups.
In urban and peri-urban traffic, driving comfort is amplified by the modular energy recovery system.
Using the paddles on the steering wheel, you can increase the deceleration power and in many cases do without braking.
The fact remains that it does not allow the vehicle to stop and when approaching a fire, it will be necessary, as often with this type of vehicle, to rely on delicate braking to be dosed.
In the alleys of Malakoff, in the Paris region, the maneuverability of the EQA has also proved to be an asset.
Mercedes-Benz AG - Global Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans / http: //media.daimler.com
Autonomy being the obsession of motorists, Mercedes has stepped up initiatives in this direction.
In addition to the efficient recovery device, heating is provided by a heat pump and top speed is limited to 160 km / h.
Intelligent, the navigation system will also be able to calculate the best route and recommend stops to recharge.
That's good news: the EQA will be launched at the end of spring at a price similar to that of the plug-in hybrid GLA, just under € 50,000, not counting the bonus of € 3,000.
A 4-wheel drive version adding an electric motor at the rear and delivering 286 hp will be released before the end of the year.
By the end of 2021, Mercedes' EQ range will also have received the reinforcement of an EQB (an electric GLB) and an EQS, an electric S-Class promising 700 km of autonomy.
In 2023, the star firm will be able to rely on a complete family of electric vehicles with the support of an EQS SUV and an EQE coupled with an SUV variant.
The EQA differs from the GLA in particular by a single-piece rear light strip.
Mercedes-Benz AG - Global Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans / http: //media.daimler.com
