Generation EQ is the forerunner of Mercedes-Benz’s new product brand for electric mobility, EQ. The name EQ stands for “Electric Intelligence” and is derived from the automaker’s brand values of “Emotion and Intelligence”.
The new generation of electric vehicles will be based on an architecture developed specifically for battery-electric models, which is scalable in every respect and useable across all models – the wheelbase and track width as well as all other system components, especially the batteries, are variable thanks to the modular building-block system. The vehicle concept is thus optimised to meet every requirement of a future-oriented, battery-electric model family. The basic architecture is suitable for SUVs, saloons, coupés, cabriolets and other bodystyles.
Similar to the latest series-produced models from Mercedes-Benz, the vehicle architecture builds on an intelligent multi-material mix of steel, aluminium and carbon fibre. This ensures that the requirements in terms of lightweight design, strength and cost efficiency are ideally met.
The monolithic basic form of Generation EQ unites the genes of an SUV with the dynamic character of a coupé and a dash of shooting brake at the rear end. The squat, elongated greenhouse gives rise to muscular-purist proportions. The new electro-look is the result of a flowing transition from the gleaming black bonnet across the windscreen to the dark-tinted panoramic roof – an exciting contrast to the alubeam silver paintwork.
With two electric motors on the front and rear axles and a battery in the vehicle floor, Generation EQ embodies a powerful vehicle concept.
The basis for dynamic high-level performance and safety comes courtesy of the electric all-wheel-drive with axle-variable torque distribution and a battery installed deep in the vehicle floor between the axles. With a total output of up to 300kW in the most powerful variant and a maximum torque of up to 700Nm, Generation EQ accelerates to 100km/h in under five seconds. In combination with an intelligent operating strategy, Generation EQ has a range of up to 500 kilometres.
The focus of the driver-oriented cockpit is on simple, touch-based controls with a new electro-look consistently reflecting the exterior styling. The asymmetrical design of the instrument panel with its large, floating widescreen display is tailored to the driver. The innovative, digital user experience differentiates Generation EQ from the familiar control logic in today’s vehicles, while giving a peek into the future of user interaction at Mercedes-Benz.
The interior of Generation EQ is characterised by contemporary luxury, this finding its main expression in an all-new user interface, which combines emotive appeal with intelligence and user-friendliness, while dispensing with traditional switches and knobs, except for the electric seat adjustment typical of Mercedes.
Two of the three narrow spokes on the steering wheel are provided with touch controls, which are integrated into OLED (organic light emitting diode) displays. They indicate icons and symbols in the respective menus. The driver can swipe through the various menus and confirm their selection with a click.
The 24-inch TFT high-definition widescreen display presents all the relevant information, such as speed, range, driving data or navigation and map details.
Generation EQ comes with four individual seats. The reduced volume, impression of floating in space and avant-garde seat upholstery layout make for a visual lightness. A tailored sound experience is provided by speakers integrated into the head restraints. The side bolsters are covered in light-white leather, while perforations with a pixel rain look reveal a view of particles in rose gold. Stitching with a PCB look on the deep-brown centre sections produces an exciting contrast. TFT monitors for rear-seat entertainment are integrated into the front backrests.
EQ offers a comprehensive electric mobility ecosystem with products, services, technologies and innovations. The spectrum ranges from electric vehicles to wallboxes and charging services to home energy storage units.
The close-to-production concept vehicle Generation EQ marks the launch of an architecture for Mercedes-Benz battery-electric vehicles across all models.
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