Shanghai (ZXZC)- Mercedes-Benz EQC just entered production in Bremen, Germany where it is assembled along with the conventional C-Class Saloon and Estate, as well as the GLC and GLC Coupé. Later this year, production will be launched in China too in partnership with BAIC, by joint venture Beijing Benz Automotive Co. Ltd. (BBAC).

Merdeces-Benz joins the Tesla Model X, Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-PACE on the high-end part of the market.

Prices in Germany (incl. 19% VAT) starts from €71,281, while the launch edition EQC Edition 1886 starts from €84,930.30.

In the press release, Mercedes-Benz released a range rating for the defunct NEDC test cycle - 445-471 km (277-293 miles), which is something that we don't fully understand, as all new models are required to get WLTP certification anyway. The WLTP numbers are maybe not yet ready or the German manufacturer is not happy with the result, which could be somewhere between 200-250 miles WLTP we believe.

80 kWh battery packs are assembled by Deutsche Accumotive at its site in Kamenz (near Dresden), Germany using LG Chem battery cells.

Mercedes-Benz EQC specs:

• range of 445-471 km (277-293 miles) (NEDC)

• energy consumption at 20.8 - 19.7 kWh/100 km (NEDC)

• 80 kWh battery pack (384 cells)

• battery pack weight of 625 kg

• 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.1 seconds

• top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph)

• dual motor all-wheel drive (two asynchronous motors)

• system output 300 kW (408 HP) and 760 Nm of torque

• AC charging takes 11 hours (7.4 kW single-phase on-board charger)

• DC fast charging takes around 40 minutes (10-80% SOC)

• Length/width (incl. mirrors)/height: 4,761/1,884 (2,096) /1,623 mm

• Kerb weight (EC)/perm. GVW/payload (EC): 2,495/2,940/445 kg

• Luggage compartment (depending on equipment fitted): approx. 500 l