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New Mercedes-Benz EQV – A Serene People Mover With Up To Eight Seats.

New Mercedes-Benz EQV – A Serene People Mover.

The EQV is the first fully-electric premium MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) from Mercedes-Benz, and it follows the now-familiar ‘EQ Power’ dedicated fully-electric vehicle naming policy adopted by the German premium brand. The Mercedes-EQ model line-up now consists of EQA, EQB and EQB SUV’s, EQE and EQS saloons, and the EQV people carrier. The EQV is based partly on the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, a conventionally-powered high-class people carrier famed for its luxury and impressive build quality, with both models closely related to the Vito van. Although the EQV has a slightly different look to the V-Class, it is not all that different because it keeps the spacious interior and upmarket feel. The batteries are stored under the floor, so there is still lots of room inside, with the added benefit of a flat floor.

Two Trim Lines.

The EQV is available in two trim lines – EQV 300 Avantgarde and EQV 300 Exterior Design Package – both of which come with the same power source. A lithium-ion high-voltage battery, with a capacity of 90kWh, is mated to an asynchronous motor to produce 204bhp and 366Nm of instant torque through a single-speed automatic transmission. A 11kW AC/ 110kW DC on-board charger enables the EQV to be charged at a 3.6kW domestic wallbox charger in 10 hours (10% to 100% charge), while at a rapid charging facility, a 10% to 80% charge can be completed in as little as 45 minutes. The EQV can sprint from 0-100km/h in 12.1-seconds, on its way to an electronically-limited top speed of 140km/h, with a WLTP electric range of up to 361kms achievable from a fully-charged battery. Measuring in at 5370mm long, 1928mm wide (excluding door mirrors) and 1908mm tall, the EQV commands a terrific road presence, while a 3430mm wheelbase leads to an abundance of space for all occupants in all rows of seats. Available with a choice of six, seven or eight seats (including the driver), the EQV can be personalised to the needs of a large family or professional chauffeur accordingly, with exceptional leg, elbow and head room on offer not matter what seating configuration is chosen.

Test Car Details.

My test car was a EQV 300 Avantgarde in a seven-seat configuration and was finished in Brilliant Silver Metallic paintwork for a truly executive look. Standard Avantgarde specification includes features such as 17” alloy wheels (5-twin-spoke design, painted black with a burnished finish), acoustic presence indicator (to alert pedestrians that you are approaching), adaptive brake lights, Comfort seats in Lugano leather, driver and passenger lumbar support, heated front seats, crystal grey inner headliner, EASY-PACK tailgate, cruise control, LED intelligent light system with high-beam assist, MBUX multimedia system with 10.25” display, mirror package, satellite navigation, Parking Package with a reversing camera, pre-entry climate control, TEMPMATIC rear climate control, anti-theft system, THERMOTRONIC automatic air-conditioning, Smartphone integration package, seat rail system with quick-release attachment system, and a waistline trim strip and chrome trim element at the rear. Also standard is an EQV Driving Assistance package, which consists of Active Brake Assist, Parking Assist PARKTRONIC, Blind Spot Assist, and Traffic Sign Assist. For buyers looking to personalise their EQV, optional equipment such as AIRMATIC (air-suspension), a centre console with an integrated refrigerator, driver’s seat electrical adjustment, climatised rear seats, roof carrier bars, and a 1kg fire extinguisher can be specified, along with a choice of other optional equipment for ultimate personalisation.

On The Road.

Under the bonnet of the EQV 300 is a 204bhp electric motor which is powered by a 100kWh battery, and it drives the front wheels via a one-speed automatic transmission. A 0-100km/h sprint can be completed in 12.1-seconds and the maximum speed is electronically limited to 140km/h. Outright performance is pretty leisurely, with the weight of the EQV occasionally eating into the power delivery under hard acceleration. Great visibility from a high driving position provides great confidence when driving in traffic, and it is stable and quiet at motorway speeds. There are three drive modes in the EQV – Eco, Comfort and Sport. Eco mode encourages slower driving by blunting accelerator response. Comfort mode offers a good compromise between the other two modes with better throttle response, while Sport mode adds an extra dose of sharpness to the mix. The paddles behind the steering wheel allow you to control the rate of brake regeneration, from little resistance at one end of the scale to sharp deceleration at the other end, thereby making ‘one pedal driving’ possible. Alternatively, drivers can utilise the ‘ECO Assistant’ which uses the navigation data, the traffic sign recognition and the information from the intelligent safety systems to automatically optimise the degree of brake regeneration.

Verdict & Pricing.

The EQV is a fantastic way to travel in comfort, as it glides along in serene silence both at low speed in an urban setting, and on the motorway where it becomes a relaxing long-distance companion for up to eight occupants. Pricing for the new Mercedes-Benz EQV starts at €95,955 (EQV 300 Avantgarde 6-Seat MPV), with my test car priced at €97,005 plus a metallic paint charge of €2,001. Prices quoted exclude dealer and delivery-related charges.

Visit www.mercedes-benz.ie for further information.

 

 

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