The Mercedes-Benz EQC 4×4 squared is the latest in their line of off-road vehicles to receive the ‘squared’ tag and their first electric vehicle to do so.
The last time we saw ‘squared’ on a Mercedes-Benz car, it was on the G 500 4×4 squared, and boy, that was like intravenously injecting steroids into a monster. The good news is, the German marque is at it again, this time with their flagship electric SUV, the EQC 400 4MATIC. The Mercedes-Benz EQC 4×4 squared is the product of a cross-departmental project headed by their development engineer, Jürgen Eberle.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC 4×4 squared has more ground clearance than the G-Class thanks to its multi-link portal axles (also why it is worthy of the squared moniker). This bit of engineering wizardry is the reason why this car has a 293-mm ground clearance. The portal axle set-up allows the wheels to be mounted much lower than the height of the axle hubs – the main axle hub and the wheel hubs are connected using portal gears. In addition to the multi-link portal axles, this EQC is also equipped with an arsenal of off-road-ready equipment. Its fording depth has been increased to 40 cm and approach and departure angles are 31.8 degrees at the front and 33 degrees at the rear. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz claim that their suite of electronic off-road drive programs further enhances the EQC 4×4 squared’s prowess off-road.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC 4×4 squared also produces its own soundtrack depending on various driving parameters. In addition to the soundscape for the interior, this car’s headlamps (now dubbed ‘lampspeakers’) double up as speakers to generate noise outside as well. This is Mercedes-Benz’s third squared model and unfortunately, it remains a one-off for now. Perhaps, when electric mobility has more takers, we may see it in production form as well.
Also read: Mercedes-AMG GT R 2020 and C 63 Coupé Launched in India
Story: Joshua Varghese
