Mercedes Malaysia to introduce two new EQ-based models

KUALA LUMPUR: Big news coming from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia! As told by the German automaker’s Facebook page, it is soon going to debut two EQ-based cars in the country. Both the vehicles are scheduled to be revealed later this week.

One of the two cars is the Mercedes-Benz S 560 e plug-in hybrid model that is an EQ offering and is the facelifted version of W222 S-Class. This particular model made its debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show, and the confirmation of its arrival in Malaysia has been on edge for a while with no one ever being sure.

A 3.0-litre V6 turbo petrol engine powers the S 560 e plug-in hybrid model along with an electric motor. With the former producing a maximum power of 367 PS and 500 Nm of torque, the later pump out 123 PS and 440 Nm. This drive system is paired to a 9-speed 9G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission system.

The car displays an all-electric range of 50 km, thanks to the 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery that now features 37 Ah lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt cells and not the previous 22 Ah lithium-iron-phosphate units. Built by Daimler subsidiary Deutsche Accumotive, there new Li-NMC cells are smaller compared to the earlier units, resulting in a larger boot.

The next model in question is also from the brand’s EQ department, the all-electric EQC SUV. It is to be noted that this particular car won’t be launched locally until next year or so. In the ASEAN region, Thailand could be the first country to receive this SUV, i.e., by this year’s end.

Since the car shares its underpinnings with the GLC, it is most likely to be shown in 4 Matic form. However, we are still not sure about the car’s trim levels. On the power plant front, the car will feature two motors, one each on the front and rear axle. Both the motors offer 408 PS and 760 Nm. Also, the SUV can touch the 100 kmph mark in 5.1 seconds, and its top speed is limited to 180 kmph.

By the end of this week, we will have more information on the EQC and S 560 e, so stay tuned.