Mercedes announces cheaper Australian EQC variant, as all-electric demand grows

Mercedes-Benz has announced it will bring to Australia a “more affordable” variant of its all-electric SUV, the EQC 400 4MATIC, after identifiying an opportunity to meet growing local demand from first-time all-electric SUV customers.

The new variant of the EQC 400 4MATIC, a first version of which was first launched on the Australian market in late 2019, is billed as a slightly tricked-down take on the original, thus achieving an “enticing” entry price point of $A124,300.

This price – while still well out of reach of many – amounts to a $17,000 discount on the $A141,300 retail price of the original version of the all-electric SUV, which will henceforth be known in Australia as the EQC 400 4MATIC Sport.

As The Driven reported, the Australian launch of the original EQC 400 4 MATIC – Mercedes’ first all-electric offering – was a resounding success, with reports of demand outstripping supply. You can read The Driven’s road test review here.

So what can we expect from a cheaper model? According to Mercedes-Benz, the new variant achieved a price cut after a “specification review” that identified an opportunity to attract more first-time electric SUV customers “without sacrificing on the cohesive core package of opulence, safety and user-friendliness” of its predecessor.

Retained is the same drivetrain, with front and rear asynchronous electric motors producing combined outputs of 300 kW and 760 Nm; and an acceleration from rest of 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds.

Also retained is the li-ion battery set-up battery – 80kWh with an expected range of up to 430km and energy efficiency of 23.8 kW per 100km.

Sacrificed as part of the roughly $17,000 discount are the “distinctive visual enhancement and convenience features” of the sportier model, including the AMG Line exterior and interior, the sports-style multifunction steering wheel, the glass sunroof, and dark privacy glass for the rear windows.

The Sport model is also clad in AMG leather seats and an ARTICO dashboard, and is equipped with a head-up display and 21-inch AMG Multi-spoke alloy wheels in gloss black with a high-sheen silver finish.

Further news is that two new paint colours will be available to order across both models, one called Spectral Blue and one called Opalite White Bright.