Mercedes EQA and EQB were supposed to show up in the fall of this year but the coronavirus epidemic delayed Mercedes’ plans a bit. However, the two electric compact SUVs are in the final testing phase at the Immendingen test center.

The two electric compact SUVs have given up some camouflage and the design reflects a very similar resemblance of the Mercedes EQA to the GLA. Only the closed radiator grille confirms that it is an electric model.
Production is expected to begin in a few weeks and deliveries in March 2021.

For the moment, Mercedes EQA will be offered only with front-wheel drive but later versions with two engines and electric all-wheel drive are also expected, as well as an AMG version.

As with the Mercedes EQC, the Mercedes EQA and EQB are not built on a dedicated electric platform but on a platform derived from the conventional MFA II used in the GLA, GLB, A and B-Class.
It is called EVA 1.5 and will be used for all compact electric models until 2025 when the new dedicated MMA electric platform will appear.

Here are some of the features of the EVA 1.5 platform:
– front-wheel drive with different power versions and optional electric all-wheel drive with two motors
– an AMG version with 408 hp is possible, just like at EQC
– the range will be between 350-420 km, similar to that of VW ID.3
– the battery will have around 60 kWh
– charging will be done at 110 kW DC and three-phase AC stations at 11 kW

Using a platform derived from MFA II, Mercedes EQA and EQB will be produced on the same production line as the GLA at the plant in Rastatt, Germany. Also, the interior will be similar to the GLA.

The testing center in Immendingen is built on an area of 520 hectares on an old military range and was inaugurated on September 19, 2018. It includes 68 km of asphalt and gravel track and cost 200 million euros.

Mercedes EQA and EQB will join four other electric models that will be launched in 2021 on the new dedicated EVA electric platform: Mercedes EQS, EQE, EQ GLE and EQ GLS.