Overshadowed by its younger siblings with more advanced technologies, the Mercedes-Benz EQC was the first electric vehicle (EV) in the EQ series. Sold only as the Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC in Malaysia, the EQC fetches a price of RM388,888 and was launched in Malaysia in September 2022.
Based on the Mercedes-Benz GLC, the Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC is a compact executive EV SUV. Unlike other EQ models, it still has a grille instead of a large black panel. It does, however, sport the EQ family look with the continuous lights at the front and rear, blue ‘EQC’ letterings on the front fenders, blue accents in the headlights, and a recognisable EQ front end.
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Being the first of the EQ series, the EQC probably has the best-looking front end, striking a balance between fluidity and a robust look. The wheels are 20 inches in size and the Malaysian-spec EQC gets a set of Pirelli Scorpion Verde tyres.
As standard, the Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 AMG Line is equipped with Multibeam LED Headlights, 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, and an AMG line exterior package on the outside. It also gets aluminium-look running boards with studs on the side.
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Powering the EQC 400 4MATIC is a dual motor setup that, as the name suggests, provides an all-wheel drive (AWD) system. The dual-motor drivetrain is front-biased and produces a system output of 408 hp and 760 Nm, which is plenty for this large (by Malaysian standards) SUV. The EQC does the 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5.1 seconds and has a regulated top speed of 180 km/h.
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Built on an internal combustion engine (ICE) platform, the EQC houses an 80-kWh battery pack that sits underneath the car floor. Being the first of the EQ models and based on the GLC from a few years back, the EQC provides an all-electric range of up to 437 km (WLTP), which is still competitive among EVs today.
The 80-kWh battery can be charged at a maximum rate of 11 kW with AC charging and 110 kW with DC fast charging. An 11-kW AC charger would recharge the EQC from 0 to 100% in 7.5 hours while 110-kW DC fast charging will charge the EQC from 10% to 80% in 40 minutes.
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Inside, the Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC gets a twin 10.25-inch display with one dedicated as the digital instrument cluster and the other dedicated as the head unit. The EQC supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, albeit only via wired connection. Built on an older ICE platform, the EQC doesn’t get the latest MBUX as you would find in the Mercedes-Benz EQE and Mercedes-Benz EQS. Sound is emitted via a Burmester sound system and the EQC comes with thermotronic automatic climate control.
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