On July 4th, Mercedes-Benz Japan unveiled the "EQC," the company's first electric vehicle in Japan, in Tokyo. In addition to the standard "EQC 400 4MATIC" (¥10.8 million), scheduled for delivery in Spring 2020, a special announcement commemorative edition "EQC Edition 1886" (¥12 million) will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for business appointment reservations (limited to 55 units) on the Mercedes-Benz online store starting at 10 AM on July 18, 2019.

At the press conference, Kintaro Ueno, President of Mercedes-Benz Japan, personally drove the "EQC" onto the stage. "The EQC I just drove is the first electric vehicle from Mercedes-Benz in Japan. In 2016, Daimler announced its mid-to-long-term strategy 'CASE' at the Paris Motor Show. To promote the 'E' for Electric within CASE, we launched the EQ electric mobility brand, which encompasses not only electric vehicles but also fuel cell vehicles, PHEVs, and new technologies, infrastructure, and related services associated with electrification."

Moving forward, while cherishing internal combustion engines such as gasoline and clean diesel, we will accelerate electrification. Specifically, we plan to introduce more than 10 electric vehicle models by 2022 and have declared that EQ brand sales will account for over 50 percent by 2030. We plan to sequentially introduce the EQ brand in Japan as well," he explained, introducing the new brand.

Following this, Michael Kelz, Head of EQC Development at Daimler, took the stage and explained the overview of the new EQC.

Regarding the powertrain, the EQC is equipped with one motor on each of the front and rear axles. The combined maximum output of the two motors is 408 hp (300 kW) with a maximum torque of 765 Nm. In low to medium load conditions, only the front motor is used to enhance efficiency, and the rear motor is activated according to driving conditions. By variably adjusting the front-rear torque distribution, excellent four-wheel-drive characteristics are achieved, and regenerative braking is maximized by using the motors as alternators for deceleration.

The high-voltage lithium-ion battery, mounted in the floor between the front and rear axles, has a capacity of 80 kWh. Charging takes 13 hours with a standard charger and 80 minutes with a rapid charger. The maximum cruising range is 400 km, with a claimed 0-100 km/h acceleration of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h.

There are four drive modes: the default "Comfort," efficiency-focused "Eco," sporty "Sport," and customizable "Individual." The level of regeneration can be selected in four stages using the paddles behind the steering wheel: D+ (coasting), D (mild regenerative braking), D- (moderate regenerative braking), and D-- (strong regenerative braking enabling one-pedal driving).

The EQC's body dimensions are 4,761 mm in length, 1,884 mm in width, and 1,623 mm in height. Of the vehicle's weight of 2,495 kg, 652 kg is the battery.

The exterior design, a further refinement of Mercedes-Benz's core principle of "Sensual Purity," is distinctly electric, characterized by its simplicity and seamlessness.

The front features a large black panel with a fiber-optic tube for the daytime running lights connecting the multi-beam LEDs on the left and right, creating a unique face. The roofline gently slopes towards the rear, creating a profile between an SUV and an SUV coupe. The rear taillights are slim and connect horizontally, giving a futuristic appearance.

The interior also adopts a unique EQ model design, featuring two 10.25-inch displays merged under a single glass cover, ribbed edges reminiscent of high-end audio amplifier heatsinks, surrounding ambient lighting, and air vents with a special rose gold design shaped like keys, all of which are eye-catching.

The latest Mercedes-Benz infotainment system, "MBUX," which features natural language interaction, can now respond to voice commands specific to electric vehicles, such as "Find a charging station" or "Set the car's climate control by 8 AM."

Additionally, as a user program specifically for the EQC, a standard "EQ Care" package includes a general warranty and complimentary maintenance for 5 years/100,000 km from the new car purchase. It also offers one year of free charging at approximately 21,000 charging stations nationwide, along with the complimentary provision of a 6.0 kW (30A) AC home charger and support for installation costs up to ¥100,000.

At the end of the press conference, jockey Yutaka Take, the new brand ambassador, took the stage and commented, "As a child, I dreamed of owning a Mercedes someday, so I am honored to be chosen as an ambassador. I remember the immense joy I felt when I first became a Mercedes-Benz owner over 20 years ago and received the key."

Regarding the EQC, he added, "I always drive myself to the racetrack or for morning training with the horses. Since I drive close to the horses, a quiet electric vehicle would be gentle on them, which is appealing. I'm very interested," he said, adding excitement to the event.