Mercedes-Benz India has confirmed that the company will be launched the new EQB electric SUV in India before the end of the year. Positioned below the EQC in global markets, the EQB will be Mercedes’ third electric model for India and will arrive after the launch of the locally assembled EQS. Based on the firm’s GLB SUV, the EQB follows the same upright design as the former, but with some EQ design elements thrown into the mix to make it more recognisable as an electric vehicle.
Compared to the squared-out design elements on the GLB, the EQB features a closed off grille, housing the prominent Mercedes star, flanked by angular swept back headlamps – a design also seen on the smaller EQA. The EQB also sits on unique wheels while the at rear the tail-lamps in comparison to the regular GLB are sleeker and connected by a full-width light bar.
Dashboard design is in line with some newer Mercedes SUVs
Inside, the cabin shares its design with some of Mercedes’ newer SUVs with a wide free-standing display unit sitting atop a shelf like cut-out on the dashboard. The displays house the digital instrument cluster and the central touchscreen running the company’s MBUX software with physical controls for the air-con positioned below. Like the GLB, the EQB too gets the option of a third row of seats with the middle row capable of being adjusted to free up some row at the back. In terms of size, the EQB measures in about 100mm shorter than the EQC in length with the wheelbase shorter by about 44mm.
Third row of seating is an option
Coming to the drivetrain, the EQB is currently available with three powertrain options – the 250, 300 and 350 with the latter two being all-wheel drive with each axle powered by an electric motor. The EQB 250 develops 188 bhp and 385 Nm from its single motor set-up with these numbers climbing to 225 bhp and 390 Nm in the all-wheel drive 350 4Matic. The range topping GLB 350 4Matic meanwhile delivers 288 bhp and 520 Nm. All variants use a 66.5 kWh battery pack.
It is not yet known which variant of the EQB will make it to India of if Mercedes-Benz plans to offer more than one variant of its electric SUV here.
