Mercedes-EQ launches its second and smallest EV in Singapore, with pricing for the EQA small luxury electric SUV starting at S$222,888 with COE

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Photos: Derryn Wong

SINGAPORE

Mercedes-EQ has launched the EQA, the brand’s second full battery electric vehicle (EV) to go on sale here. The EQA’s local debut comes hot on the heels of Mercedes-EQ’s first ever EV in Singapore, the EQC, which was launched back in June.

The EQA is a small luxury SUV which could find favour among Singaporean buyers, given the popularity of the brand’s similar-sized GLA and GLB models here. Pricing starts at S$222,888 inclusive of COE for the EQA 250 Progressive, while the EQA 250 AMG Line is priced at S$240,888 with COE. There are other variants available, like the Electric Art and Edition 1 launch special, but pricing for those have not been announced as yet, and they’re expected in Q4 or early 2021.

Unlike the EQC, which took two years from its full global debut to arrive on Singapore’s shores, the EQA had a shorter turnaround time, having been unveiled in January this year, and we have all the full details of its global launch in our news story from then.

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The sole drivetrain available here for now is the EQA 250, which develops 190hp and 375Nm of torque. It enables it to go from 0-100km/h in 8.9 seconds, and hit a top speed of 160km/h, while energy consumption is rated at 16.2kWh/100km. Overseas, there are more powerful EQA 300 and 350 models with more power, longer range and dual-motor all-wheel-drive capability, and those are expected to arrive in Singapore next year.

When fully charged, the EQA offers an estimated range of 426km, while the car takes about 60 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent charge on a 50kW DC charger. On a slower 11kW AC charger, the time taken to charge from 10 to 100 percent is quoted at six hours.

The overall design of the EQA looks similar to its petrol-powered GLA cousin, but the electrified version incorporates noted EQ touches in its styling. These include the black panel ‘grille’ up front that incorporates a thin LED lighting strip across the top that connects the headlights, while the rear features a more distinctive look, with its single continuous thin taillight bar that stretches across the tailgate.

The AMG Line version adds sporty bits such as a front apron with functional aerodynamic air curtains, a rear apron with a diffuser, side skirts, and 19-inch AMG alloy wheels.

The interior too is largely similar to the GLA’s, with noted EQ bits like rose gold trimmings and EQ-specific backlighting elements. The AMG Line model comes with sports seats in black Artico upholstery with red stitching, brushed stainless steel pedals, and chrome surrounds for the air con vents.

The incorporation of the electric drivetrain and battery though means that interior space has been reduced slightly over the GLA, and boot capacity has gone down to 340 litres, versus 435 litres for the GLA.

The AMG Line model adds sports seats in black Artico upholstery with red stitching, brushed stainless steel pedals, and chrome surrounds for the air con vents. Optional equipment available include a panoramic sunroof (S$5,600), and the Innovation package which includes the MBUX voice assistant and a head-up display (S$5,500).

In terms of tech, the EQA comes standard with active brake assist autonomous braking technology, blind spot assist, active park assist and adaptive high beam assist. Customers can also add on the Driving Assistance package which includes lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and active steering assist for an additional S$5,500.

The introduction of the EQA is in line with Mercedes-Benz’s overall electrification strategy, which aims to have an electrified model in every segment by next year, and every model line to have an electric variant by 2025. The ultimate long term goal, according to Claudius Steinhoff, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Singapore (above), is for the brand to go fully electric by 2030, depending on the market conditions.

He adds that while it might not be reasonable to say that they will completely stop production of internal combustion engines (ICEs) by a fixed date, the brand is very confident that Singapore will be one of the markets where a 100 percent fully electric lineup is a feasible proposition.

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To that end, there will be three fully electric vehicle architectures by 2025, and the EQA will be one of the key pillars of Mercedes-EQ’s product strategy, given its status as an entry-level electric model for the brand. Further models in the pipeline include the EQS luxury limousine, the EQE E-Class-sized executive sedan, and the EQB seven-seater small luxury SUV, all of which are expected to arrive in the next year or so.

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