The Star is going electric in India and it all started with Mercedes-Benz launching the EQ electric sub brand in the country in January 2020. And with that, the Mercedes-Benz EQC is the first fully electric model that will be launched on Indian shores. The EQC is also the first mass production all electric car by Mercedes-Benz globally, that is if you don’t count for the handful of the A-Class E-Cell models that was produced almost 10 years ago. The EQC has been tested for over 4.5 million kms across various countries including India, and been driven across various terrains and weather conditions. The EQC was set for an Indian market launch in April 2020, but got delayed due to the COVID-19. Now its finally here. The Mercedes-Benz EQC400 4Matic will launch in the coming days, but before that, I got to spend a day with it, driving on the open highway and in city traffic to see what it feels like when Electric gets a Mercedes.

Mercedes-Benz EQC400 4Matic Exterior

The EQC is based on the GLC SUV and the styling resemblance is apparent. However, the EQC does have some unique design elements of its own. Dimensions wise, it measures 4761 mm in length, 1884 mm width, 1624 mm height and a wheelbase of 2873 mm. The face has a very bold look with those sleek looking Multi Beam headlamps with blue elements inside, and there is a sexy looking LED light strip that runs across the fascia. The large horizontal front grille with the three pointed star logo looks imposing and has a chrome surround. A thick black slab runs below the grille connecting the headlamps. The side profile is very clean with smooth flowing lines. There is an EQC badging on the front fender but in the case of our test car, it was the EQC 1886 badge, reason being ours was the 1886 Edition of the EQC. There are 10 spoke 20 inch alloy wheels and they look smashing with the blue inserts. I’ve said it before that wheels make or break the looks of the car, and this case they certainly add a cool quotient to the Mercedes EQC. The rear is non dramatic and features beautiful looking LED tail lamps that run across the rear, the Mercedes logo sits right in the centre of the tailgate and if you notice, there is a new font for the EQC badging too. The rear bumper gets heavy black cladding and because there are no exhaust pipes (its electric remember?) there are chrome trims on the bottom half of the rear bumper. And to round off the exterior, nothing more tells the world that you are doing your bit for mother nature, than the green registration plate, which is now government mandatory for electric vehicles. The EQC will be offered in India in three colours: High-tec Silver Metallic, Graphite Grey and Polar White. So overall, while the EQC does look like a mainstream Mercedes, some design elements do make it stand out in a crowd.

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