New Mercedes-Benz EQV revealed: meet the electric V-Class…

By: CAR magazine

The new Mercedes-Benz EQV has been revealed, with the Stuttgart-based firm describing it as the “first fully electric premium MPV”.

Set to be displayed at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2019, the new EQV is effectively the all-electric version of the V-Class. It will be offered in two wheelbase configurations (with six, seven or eight seats) and be built at the firm’s Vitoria plant in northern Spain, where the V-Class and Vito are also produced.

Mercedes claims a “provisional” range of 405 km and says rapid charging of the high-voltage battery from 10 to 80 percent takes “less than an hour”. Peak outputs are quoted as 150 kW and 362 N.m, while top speed comes in at 160 km/h.

The EQV’s electric drivetrain is situated on the front axle under the front end of the vehicle, with a charging connection sited in the bumper. The electric motor, fixed-ratio transmission, cooling system and power electronics form what Benz describes as “a highly integrated, compact unit”.

The lithium-ion battery, which has a “usable capacity” of 90 kWh, is positioned under the floor of the vehicle. The EQV comes equipped with a water-cooled on-board charger with a capacity of 11 kW, making it suitable for AC charging at home or at public charging stations.

Interestingly, while the facelifted V-Class does without the MBUX infotainment system, the EQV features a version specifically designed for Mercedes-Benz’s electric range.

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