Stuttgart/Geneva. With the Concept EQA at the 2017 IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Mercedes-Benz demonstrated how the EQ strategy can be transferred to the compact class. The production version of the all-electric sibling of the GLA will have its première before the end of the year. Prototypes of the EQA are currently undergoing challenging winter trials in the far north. And Mercedes-Benz will complete the EQ Power family of compacts with additional sporty models featuring the third-generation hybrid powertrain.
The new GLA rounds off the current compact car generation from Mercedes-Benz as the eighth model. An electric-model in the form of EQA will follow before the year is out. Prototypes are currently travelling the snow-covered roads of Sweden. This winter testing sees the engineers paying particular attention to the thermal management of the battery and the interior, and to charging in the cold. Further aspects are driving safety, traction and energy recovery on ice and snow.
At the same time, Mercedes-Benz Cars is expanding its line-up of plug-in hybrids under the EQ Power label and will present additional models with the third-generation hybrid powertrain at the Geneva Motor Show. For the new compact vehicles with EQ Power, (electric) driving pleasure and suitability for everyday use are to the fore.
