Mercedes-Benz EQC  (electric car)

2021: Recall of tens of thousands of defective electric crossovers due to a faulty steering wheel

On November 8, 2021, Mercedes-Benz announced the recall of about 20 thousand EQC electric roadways around the world due to a problem with the steering hydraulic amplifier. The automaker does not disclose the costs of conducting a service campaign.

According to a study conducted by the Federal Automobile Administration, transport Germany water can enter the EQC steering amplifier control unit.

Mercedes-Benz recalls tens of thousands of defective electric crossovers due to a faulty steering wheel

In total, 19,253 EQC SUVs suffered worldwide due to problems with the steering unit, of which 3073 were from Germany. Although the exact cause of water entering the steering is not yet known, dealerships of the automaker will check the wire bundle of recalled cars for damage. If any inconsistencies are found, engineers will perform the necessary repairs.

This is not the first recall of Mercedes-Benz EQC electric vehicles, since some units of the SUV were also recalled in November 2020 due to a damaged wire harness, which could lead to a failure of the steering power system, and could also lead to a potential fire.

Mercedes-Benz first introduced the EQC electric SUV in Europe in 2018. At the end of 2020, the automaker introduced an electric car in India along the Complete-Built-Up (CBU) route as its first electric offer in the country. It became the first electric car in the world of luxury cars in India. According to India-sec EQC, it has a WLTP certified full charging range of 400 km and comes with an eight-year battery warranty.

The EQC has a floor lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 80 kWh, which powers two asynchronous motors, one on each axle, capable of providing a total of 408 hp and a torque of 765 Nm. The SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds, and its maximum speed is limited to 180 km/h.^[1]

2019: Recall of defective electric vehicles

At the end of October 2019, Mercedes-Benz announced the recall of defective EQC electric crossovers. At the same time, these cars were certified for sale on the Russian market.

About 1700 copies of EQC are subject to recall, according to the German industry publication Kfz betrieb. The manufacturer does not name the number of faulty cars, but confirmed that defective bolts in the differential were found in them.

Mercedes-Benz announces recall of defective EQC electric crossovers

Daimler AG determined that on some EQC vehicles, the bolt in the front differential transmission axis does not meet the technical requirements for strength. Thus, it is not excluded that the bolt will break sooner or later, the German manufacturer said in a statement.

The company adds that due to a problem, the transmission of torque to the front axle may stop, which will lead to a car stop. In addition, if the elements of the broken bolt are stuck in the differential, this can affect the ability to drive the vehicle, increasing the risk of getting into an accident.

Meanwhile, at the end of October 2019, Rosstandart issued a Vehicle Type Approval (OTTS) for the Mercedes-Benz EQC electric crossover. According to the document that appeared in the open base of the department, permission applies only to one batch of 150 cars.

Certified modification EQC 400 4Matic. Such crossovers are equipped with two electric motors with a total power of 408 hp and an 80 kWh battery, one charge of which is enough about 360 km of the way.

It is expected that this electric car will enter the Russian market in 2020. Prices will be announced closer to the start of sales. In Europe, Mercedes-Benz EQC is sold for 71.3 thousand euros (a little more than 5 million rubles at the exchange rate at the end of October 2019). The production of electric vehicles was established at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen.^[2]

2018: Presentation of the first Mercedes-Benz electric crossover

In early September 2018, Mercedes-Benz introduced the first fully electric crossover in its range. The presentation of the Mercedes-Benz EQC model  was held in Stockholm.

The novelty is equipped with a pair of asynchronous motors that produce a total power of 408 horsepower and a maximum torque of 765  Nm. The acceleration time of the electric car from 0 to 100 km/h is declared at the level of 5 seconds, and the limit speed is 180 km/h.

Power is supplied from a  lithium-ion battery pack for  80  kWh, the mass of which reaches 650  kg. During the announcement, it was announced that the Mercedes-Benz EQC will be able to travel 450 km without recharging, but this is preliminary data.

EQC received an 80-kilowatt battery pack that provides 450 km of run on a single charge

You can recharge the batteries at the machine up to 80% in about 40 minutes. The car was equipped with a braking energy recovery system.

The length of the electric car is 761  mm, the width  is 1884  mm,  and the height  is 1624  mm, the size of the wheelbase is 2873 mm. The maximum mass of the towed trailer is also indicated - 1800 kg.

At Mercedes-Benz EQC , several driver assistance systems were used, as well as a number of proprietary technologies, including a multimedia system with artificial intelligence and a voice assistant Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), which replaced the top Comand.

The crossover can be charged at stations up to 110 kW, which will make it possible to replenish the battery from 10% to 80% in just 40 minutes

The dashboard is completely digital, and next to it on the central console there is a large display used to control the infotainment system, navigation, climate control, etc. You can also configure functions in the mobile application.

The manufacturer draws attention to the "smart" navigation system, which will prompt not only the optimal route, but also the most economical driving style.^[3]

Mercedes-Benz EQC will go on sale in 2019. The cost of the electric "parketnik" at the presentation was not disclosed. According to preliminary data, the price will be about 70 thousand euros.

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