Mercedes-Benz has extended its electric fleet with the global launch of the EQA crossover that is expected in New Zealand mid-2021.

Pricing and specs will be announced closer to the launch here, but pricing in Europe makes it around NZ$81,000. This will see it compete with the Tesla Model 3 that is a big seller in New Zealand.

Based on the GLA, the first electric compact crossover to be launched will be the EQA 250 has a range of 486 kilometres and produces 15.7 kWh and 140kW.

Further variants to meet specific customer requirements will follow. These will include on the one hand a series of even more athletic all-wheel-drive models with an additional electric powertrain (eATS) and an output of 200 kW or more, and on the other hand a version with a range of more than 500 kilometres. Mercedes sees the key to a bigger range not in ever-larger batteries, but in systematic improvement in the efficiency of all vehicle components.

Created by the German brand’s electric vehicle brand, Mercedes-EQ, the EQA joins the EQC medium SUV that won New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild 2020 car of the year.

Mercedes is also set to launch the luxury EQS large SUV this year.

"Progressive design and intuitive operation are two of the highlights of the EQA. With this car, for the first time we are offering our customers an all-electric Mercedes in the compact segment with an extensive range that ensures its viability in everyday use. As such, the new EQA is an important vehicle along our path towards the electrification of all our vehicle segments," says Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales. 

"Thanks to MBUX, our vehicles these days have become mobile assistants. With the EQA we take things a step further: clever support functions such as Navigation with Electric Intelligence are integrated here into MBUX, making it even easier to use," said Sajjad Khan, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG, CASE. 

"Furthermore, the EQA shows how we have been able to reconcile a state-of-the-art and sustainable electric drive system with the Mercedes-Benz core value of Safety."

The EQA features the black panel radiator grille with a central star that is the hallmark of Mercedes-EQ. A further distinctive design feature of the all-electric world of Mercedes-EQ vehicles is the continuous light strip at front and rear. A horizontal fibre-optic strip connects the daytime running lights of the full-LED headlamps, ensuring a high level of recognisability both in daylight and at night. 

The LED tail lamps merge seamlessly into the tapered LED light strip, thus underlining the impression of width in the rear view of the EQA.

Exclusive to this model are light-alloy wheels in a bi- or tri-colour design, up to 20 inches in size, in some cases with rosé gold-coloured (above) or blue decorative trim.

"Progressive Luxury in its sportiest form. An all-electric SUV designed for the sustainable mobility of the future has been born, in the shape of the compact, modern EQA," says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Daimler AG. 

"The perfect proportions of the exterior and a spectacular interior set new standards." 

Standard safety tech includes Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Brake Assist, while the enhanced Driving Assistance Package brings a number of further active alert functions and assist features, including a warning that detects when pedestrians are near a zebra crossing.