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<strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Wednesday <strong>August</strong> <strong>30</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
38<br />
NEWS<br />
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz<br />
Sustainable and sporty with a lot of space<br />
Motoring with Bob Nettleton<br />
Mercedes-Benz continues its<br />
push to offer a broader range of<br />
electric models, by adding an<br />
EV version of its compact, but<br />
enormously practical EQB SUV<br />
to its expanding EV portfolio.<br />
The EQB follows in the<br />
footsteps of the smaller EQA<br />
SUV, which alphabetically is a<br />
logical evolution. Since its launch<br />
in 2021, it’s become a popular<br />
choice for those keen to commit<br />
to a more sustainable low<br />
emission vehicle, with premium<br />
looks and an inherently sporty<br />
disposition.<br />
What you get with the EQB is<br />
all that plus lots more space for<br />
people and luggage, in a vehicle<br />
capable of seating up to seven, or<br />
you can reconfigure the cabin to<br />
create a whooping 1600L of load<br />
capacity.<br />
Powering the EQB is an<br />
electric drivetrain developed by<br />
Mercedes-EQ. It’s lithium-ion<br />
battery has a usable energy<br />
content of 66.5 kWh. Weighing a<br />
respectable 469 kg, it’s positioned<br />
beneath the vehicle floor, giving<br />
the EQB an almost ideal centre of<br />
gravity. Re-energizing the battery<br />
is no chore with high charging<br />
speeds with up to 11 kW of<br />
output via the AC (alternating<br />
current) charging system, or<br />
up to 100 kW using DC (direct<br />
current) charger. Either way, get<br />
it tethered to once of these and it<br />
will be fully electrified before you<br />
know it.<br />
The EQB has more in common<br />
than you might think with its<br />
GLB petrol powered sibling,<br />
including plenty of heaps of<br />
useable space from its compact<br />
footprint. With its flat floor and<br />
tall roofline, you are set to cart<br />
all manner of things from bikes<br />
to surf boards.<br />
The most affordable EQB is the<br />
$99,900 five-seat 250. A $2,900<br />
optional third row extends the<br />
seating to seven. A 140 kW<br />
single e-motor dispatches power<br />
directly to the front wheels with<br />
efforts backed up by a hard<br />
working 385 Nm of torque. It has<br />
a handy enough driving range of<br />
371 km according to the WLTP<br />
test standard.<br />
The EQB 350 4MATIC<br />
AWD lined up for this road<br />
test is priced at $109,900.<br />
Both models are covered by a<br />
five-year unlimited kilometre<br />
warranty and an 8 years cover<br />
on the Battery. But wait there’s<br />
more! The EQB has a Type 2<br />
CCS charging socket capable of<br />
accepting up to 11 kW (AC) and<br />
100 kW (DC). Charging cables<br />
compatible with our domestic<br />
power sockets and public<br />
charging stations are standard<br />
with either vehicle.<br />
The EQB model holding all<br />
bragging rights for power and<br />
features is the 350 4MATIC that<br />
also happens to offer the more<br />
energized and engaging drive of<br />
this pair. It gets a major leg up<br />
SPACIOUS: An optional third row extends seating to seven, so there’s room for everyone.<br />
in that department by having<br />
two e-motors, one mounted on<br />
each axle, enabling power to be<br />
sent variably to where it’s most<br />
needed. The floor, the EQB 350<br />
feels both stable and nimble to<br />
drive.<br />
The tall erect styling is<br />
interesting rather than eye<br />
catching. Reduced lines and<br />
precise seams are a feature, while<br />
the upright front section with<br />
its dominant headlights has<br />
Mercedes Benz SUV DNA, all<br />
over it.<br />
The EQB in both guises can<br />
be recharged at home via a<br />
Mercedes-Benz Wall box or<br />
standard 240-volt wall plug.<br />
Our growing network of rapid<br />
and ultra-rapid chargers adds<br />
the option of fast top-ups when<br />
needed while on the move.<br />
Torque and power arrive<br />
instantly no engine revs<br />
required. It makes most internal<br />
combustion engines seem a<br />
tad like yesterday’s technology,<br />
which they probably will be<br />
in about five years. This when<br />
electric vehicles start to tighten<br />
their grip on our market in ways.<br />
The EQB delivers exceptional<br />
performance across the board<br />
and does it with ease, and is<br />
brilliantly supported by two<br />
outstanding electric motors and<br />
a one speed automatic.<br />
This is one the best Mercedes<br />
Benz compact SUV’S and sets<br />
a new standard for the its class.<br />
It’s also another example of the<br />
company’s ability to produce<br />
vehicles that tick so many boxes<br />
for potential buyers.<br />
The fit and finish of the<br />
passenger compartment is<br />
excellent. A large and spacious<br />
interior ensures plenty of room<br />
for everyone. The EQB 350<br />
adds significant more features.<br />
Among them are sports seats<br />
with adjustable head restraints<br />
and micro fibre inserts with<br />
red stitching. A multi-function<br />
sports steering wheel wrapped in<br />
Nappa leather, AMG floor mats<br />
and illuminated doorsills, all add<br />
touches of class.<br />
Exterior features play their part<br />
with an electrically controlled<br />
panoramic glass sunroof, AMGspecific<br />
body styling including<br />
extra chrome trim pieces, and<br />
20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels<br />
A Driver Assistance Package<br />
features a comprehensive suite<br />
of active safety and convenience<br />
systems. Leading the way is<br />
DISTRONIC active cruise<br />
control with Speed Limit Assist<br />
and Active Steering Assist.<br />
The standard Parking Package<br />
includes PARKTRONIC parking<br />
assistant and a 360° camera, and<br />
an electrically operable tailgate<br />
including hands-free access. All<br />
seats are fitted with retractable<br />
head restraints, seat belts with<br />
belt tensioners, a side window<br />
airbag, plus ISOFIX and TOP-<br />
Tether anchorages for suitable<br />
child seats.<br />
As with other vehicles in the<br />
Mercedes-EQ passenger vehicle<br />
line-up, the EQB has acoustic<br />
ambient protection, to reduce the<br />
risk to pedestrians and cyclists<br />
by the vehicle’s silent drivetrain.<br />
It sounds an audible warning<br />
at speeds below 20 km/h, plus a<br />
reversing tone.<br />
Handling is as good as you will<br />
find in a luxury compact SUV<br />
with deep reserves of real world<br />
grip. This isn’t a bona fide offroad<br />
battler with of a high/low<br />
4WD gearbox and the vehicles<br />
modest ground clearance<br />
limiting excursions in rougher<br />
terrain.<br />
For a tallish vehicle body<br />
lean is superbly contained<br />
during brisk cornering, and<br />
driver confidence inspiring<br />
tenacious grip. As expected<br />
the nicely weighted steering<br />
with its excellent road feel was<br />
everything we’ve come to expect<br />
from Mercedes Benz.<br />
Rating out of 10: Performance 8, Handling 8, Build<br />
Quality 8, Refinement 8, Space 8, Styling 6, Value for<br />
money 7, Safety – five star ANCAP crash rating.<br />
Overall points out of 10: 8<br />
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