Future Mercedes-Benz EVs to have more radical design

Mercedes-Benz EQ sales and marketing boss Jorg Heinermann says that future electric cars from the carmaker will feature far more distinctive styling than that seen on the recently revealed EQC SUV.

The EQC is the German firm’s first dedicated electric vehicle. It is also the first of brand's 10 battery-electric vehicles and will be launched by 2022. These models will fall under Mercedes’ new full-electric EQ sub-brand, along with the firm’s mild­-hybrid and plug-in hybrid machines.

Although there are manufacturers that are creating dramatically different-looking EVs, Mercedes has decided to tread carefully, not wanting to alienate customers who like Mercedes’ existing design.

“The EQC has a close link to the [similar-sized] GLC, but for some of the future EQ models you will see more distinct design,” said Heinermann. “We have deliberately decided to take a step-by-step approach here."

Mercedes interior designer Hartmut Sinkwitz added, saying, “[The EQC] is the starting point for the electric family. We felt this is the right amount of revolution to start with for this car. You will see more with other EQ models. We believe this is a good starting point.”

One design element that will remain constant across the EQ models is the front grille. Despite electric cars not needing a front grille for cooling, as with combustion-engined cars, exterior designer Robert Lesnik said, “The grille is important, because otherwise the car would be faceless; it doesn’t matter if there needs to be an air-intake or not. We believe that every EQ car needs a certain shape in the front. There are many other car companies that are experimenting [without a grille], because they don’t have 130 years of history. That’s not what we’re going to do.”

Talking about the broader design of EQ models, he said, “We need time for a few cars, then you will see a familiar line through them.”