Benz EV crossover with 248-mile range expected to land late in 2018
Mercedes-Benz is planning to introduce a pure-electric crossover based on the GLC-Class, Autobild reports. Stuttgart's upcoming entry into the EV market will join the electric B-Class and is expected to make use of as much GLC-Class componentry as possible, though it will reportedly be styled very differently, sharing only the windows and the roof panels with the gas-powered model that debuted earlier this year. The EV crossover is expected to compete with the Tesla Model X.
The ELC, as it is expected to be badged, will likely feature a Tesla-style battery layout beneath the floor with one electric motor positioned at each axle, making use of the company's modular Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA).
Autobild indicates that total output is likely to be around 536 hp, with the ELC having a range of 248 miles on a full charge. It is also expected to offer wireless charging capability, something that has been available for EVs for a couple of years now as an aftermarket feature.
The ELC is expected to debut by the end of 2018, with a price tag in the area of 50,000 euros -- approximately $55,000 at the current exchange rate.
Rumors of a second major EV from Mercedes-Benz have been circulating for months as BMW gets ready to pull the trigger on an i5 model, which could be a crossover of a similar size. With the update of the GLC-Class this year, Stuttgart has a new platform which could be well-suited for a wider audience, one that the electric B-Class has not been able to attract in North America.