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    Mercedes EQG Synchronized 360° Tank Turns At Vegas Strip – Theatrics Or Practical?

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    Mercedes EQG G-Turn360° tank turn capabilities have been displayed earlier by other cars also such as BYD YangWang U8 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 prototypeMercedes has showcased the 360° tank turn feature of its new Electric G-Class in multiple videos posted earlier. The company has chosen to call this feature the ‘G’ turn. Taking it a step further, 4 EQG prototypes can be seen performing synchronized 360° tank turns at the Las Vegas Strip. The spectacular show highlights the superior technological prowess of electric cars in comparison to ICE vehicles.Mercedes EQG G turns – Practical usesWhile the synchronized show at the Las Vegas Strip was an impressive publicity stunt, the 360° tank turn can find practical uses. For example, it can come in handy during off-roading when the user needs to manoeuvre the vehicle to the right or left. Dodging a big boulder or other such obstacles can be possible with the G-turn feature.One may not need to use the full 360° turn. Instead, even a slight move to the left or right can be useful while negotiating challenging off-road tracks. In other uses, the 360° tank turn can find applications while negotiating tight urban spaces. Or driving through single-lane streets or accidentally reaching a dead-end.And of course, the G turn seems like a great way to have some fun with friends and family. With the synchronized G-turn option, the possibilities are limitless for individuals and organizations alike. Something similar can already be seen with Tesla’s synchronized light shows. The EQG can perhaps add more dynamism to such shows with its 360° tank turn capabilities.[embedded content]EQG 360° spin – How it works?Although the Mercedes-Benz’s G turn looks effortless, a high level of precision engineering, AI and sensors are required to make it possible. The EQG does it automatically, without requiring any significant inputs from the driver.It works by transferring forward and reverse power to diagonally opposite wheels. This allows the vehicle to rotate on its axis. The wheels don’t turn left or right during this process. As the 360° tank turn puts significant stress on the vehicle, the chassis and suspension need to be strong to support such features.G-turn will be available with production modelIn the past, some other cars have also shown capabilities to perform a 360° tank turn. In 2019, the Rivian R1T pickup was shown making tank turns. However, the feature was not offered with the production model. This is unlikely to be the case with production EQG or the baby G-Class, as the company is promoting the 360° tank turn in a big way. It has already received wide appreciation from enthusiasts.Mercedes EQG G-Turn Aerial ViewMercedes EQG utilizes an independent front suspension, in combination with a rigid rear axle. A body-on-frame chassis has been used, specially developed for EVs. To protect the drivetrain components, the EQG utilizes carbon-kevlar underbody panels. The SUV has 4 electric motors that generate a combined output of around 600 to 670 hp. More

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      New Electric G-Class Can Do 360-degree Turns Standstill – CEO Shows

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      New Electric G-ClassAs opposed to the 4X4 setup with front, middle and rear locking diff of ICE G Wagon, new Electric G-Class will pack one motor for each wheelWe all know what a G-Class or a G Wagon looks like. This iconic SUV is going electric and the company is retaining its iconic appeal intact. In a recent video, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius demonstrated off-roading prowess of new electric G-Class. In his words, Electric G is more capable of regular ICE G. Which is interesting.New Electric G-Class shows off-roading prowessA lot of manufacturers tend to induce a certain futuristic design appeal with their electric vehicles. This futuristic design will create an impression of driving the future and it leans towards aerodynamic efficiency too, which is crucial for any EV. With new Electric G-Class, Mercedes is keeping the design intact.The round headlights with LED DRLs, iconic G-Class grill with large Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star logo, flared wheel arches, exposed rain gutters, side-mounted tailgate, spare wheel on tailgate, upright windscreen, externally hinged doors and all the charades that make a G-Class, are present on Electric G-Class.This way, there is no deviation from 40 years of design culmination and curation that has made a G-Class so iconic and recognisable. The same boxy design silhouette is present that commands a lot of respect in automotive industry. Looking at the way CEO Ola Kallenius kept on referring to prototype as Electric G, we would reckon this vehicle will not fall under EQ umbrella.[embedded content]Mercedes-Benz manufactures every single G-Class in Graz, Austria, where G-Class was born. Before launching any G-Class the company makes sure that it is Schockl-proof. Schockl is a mountain in Graz. Where a G-Class prototype takes a tough and challenging off-road course 336 times successfully.Standstill 360-degree turn like Yangwang U8With Electric G, Mercedes-Benz is implementing a different axle concept with four electric motors powering four wheels. This way, Mercedes can unlock torque vectoring with granular control of individual wheel to unlock special abilities that regular ICE G-Class could never dream of achieving.Most impressive of these abilities is 360-degree turns from a standstill on loose traction surfaces and even nudge the car into a 90-degree turn when terrain gets trickier. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius calls it a ‘G Turn’. We have seen BYD Yangwang U8 pull off similar feats. U8 could also float and traverse on water, though. Something that was not demonstrated on new Electric G-Class.New Electric G-Class iconic design retainedThe company highlighted Dynamic Seats feature on Electric G. This feature senses movement of occupant’s body and hugs them to counteract some of the motion that translates into the cabin on rough terrains. There was some light shed on new Electric G-Class’ ‘Underride Guard’ that is made of two layers of carbon fibre and a special compound sandwiched between.Exact powertrain details weren’t divulged. But we can expect a large battery that is easily 100+ kWh. To overcome aerodynamics of a brick-like vehicle. 450+ km range, 600+ bhp and close to 1000 Nm od combined torque are expected. Considering Mercedes-Benz didn’t show the interiors, there may be a different Electric G specific dashboard too. More details will follow. More

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      Mercedes GLB, Electric EQB SUV Launch Price Rs 63.8 L, Rs 74.5 L

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      Launched alongside Mercedes-Benz GLB, EQB electric SUV is priced at Rs. 74.5 lakh (ex-sh) and carves its own niche of a 7-seater electric luxury SUVMercedes-Benz GLB And EQB LaunchedWhen it comes to luxury cars in India, there is no beating the three-pointed star. Even with high-seller like the E-Class in its arsenal, Mercedes-Benz India reported a slight decline in Q3 2022. Still, it outsells all rivals to remain the No 1 luxury car brand in India.Mercedes-Benz continues to expand its Indian portfolio with the launch of the much-awaited GLB three-row SUV and its electric sibling, EQB. Introductory pricing for GLB 200 is INR 63.8 Lakhs, GLB 220d is INR 66.8 Lakhs, GLB 220d 4MATIC is INR 69.8 Lakhs and EQB 300 4MATIC is INR 74.5 Lakhs (all prices are ex-showroom).Mercedes-Benz GLB and EQBAfter Mercedes-Benz EQC and EQS, EQB is the third all-electric vehicle launched this year. This way, Mercedes-Benz displays its commitment to an eco-friendly future. The company claims that GLB’s striking design, flexible seating positions, legroom, and load compartment make it a highly practical urban SUV for daily usage.Launching the SUV siblings, Martin Schwenk, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “We are excited to wrap up 2022 with the key introduction of two versatile 7-seater SUVs the GLB & EQB. Both these SUVs are highly versatile, spacious and ideal for large nuclear families requiring extra space and a pair of seats, for the pre-teens or even pets.GLB SpecsHe said, “They can seat up to 7 passengers and offer a choice of space configurations while also being able to navigate rough terrain effortlessly. For the first time, we are offering three powertrains, a petrol, diesel, and an electric for our customers.The launch of the EQB is also a significant step towards our vision of transitioning to a climate-neutral fleet gradually, with four luxury EVs in Mercedes-Benz India portfolio. We have also introduced attractive ownership propositions like industry best warranties on both the SUVs for an enhanced customer experience.”Specs & FeaturesWith GLB and EQB 7 seater SUVs, Mercedes-Benz is targeting large nuclear families wanting more space for their active lifestyle and dynamic requirements. Mercedes-Benz GLB offers a 40:20:40 split and folding second-row seat, and a lot of knee room for 2nd-row passengers. Both GLB and EQB bear similar designs as global models. Three powertrain options are available for GLB: Petrol 4×2, Diesel 4×2 and Diesel 4×4.EQB SpecsThe EQB 300 4MATIC is fitted with a 66.5 kWh battery. It has two motors with a combined power output of 168 kW and torque of 390 Nm and the 4Matic AWD system is standard. EQB can be charged with a maximum power of up to 100 kW with DC charging. With that, the charging time is 32 minutes for 10-80% charge.On the inside, Mercedes-Benz boasts high-resolution screens and graphics, a customizabledisplay, learning-capable software, and Voice Control with natural language recognition. Active park assist is offered as well. Starting from Rs. 63.8 lakh (ex-sh), GLB competes with Land Rover Discovery Sport, Jeep Grand Cherokee and the likes, while EQB seems to be a lone ranger as there are no 7-seater electric SUVs in India at that price. More

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      Mercedes AMG EQS 53 Electric Launch Price Rs 2.45 Cr – Range 586 Km

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      Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is the longest range EV in India – Promising a range of 529 – 586 km as per WLTP cycleMercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ India LaunchMercedes-Benz has announced plans to launch three new electric vehicles in India. Currently with an extensive lineup of luxury cars, the company has reported its Q1 2022 sales at over 4k units at 25.96 percent growth,The first of these three electric vehicles to launch in India is the new Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ electric luxury saloon priced at Rs 2.45 crores (ex-showroom). Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ comes in as the brands new flagship electric offering. It is being brought in as a CBU – Completely Built-up Unit. Mercedes-Benz will also launch a non-AMG version of the EQS called EQS 580 which will be locally assembled. Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ competes with the Audi e-tron RS and Porsche Taycan in its segment.Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ boasts of a sporty stance. It sports a couple styled silhouette with LED lighting and DRLs, an AMG specific front grille in a black colour scheme with chrome finished vertical slats, a large Mercedes-Benz logo in the center and the Mercedes star with AMG lettering. It also gets chrome accents across its exteriors and at the rear it sports rear brake lights with a curved 3D helix design. The EQS rides on 21 or 22 inch AMG light alloy wheels in Aero or Heritage design while there is a large rear spoiler, rear apron and an aerodynamic diffuser with 6 longitudinal fins.Exterior colour options include Nautic Blue Metallic, Graphite Grey Metallic, Obsidian Black Metallic, Designo Selenite Grey Magno, Designo Hyacinth Red Metallic and Designo Diamond White Bright. Dimensions stand 5,223mm in length, 1,926mm in width and 1,515mm in height. It gets a 3,210mm long wheelbase and boot space of 610 liters.Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ India LaunchThe interiors see state of the art comforts and equipment. It sports an innovative MBUX hyperscreen as standard. This is made up of three screens merged together by one continuous glass panel stretching across the length of the dashboard. Driver and front passenger get an individual 12.3 inch screen while there is also a 17.7 inch centrally positioned infotainment unit. This takes the total screen length to 47.7 inches.Mercedes-Benz EQS has a 56 inch system. It also sports a 24 GB RAM and 8 CPUs. The EQS cabin also sees features such as 64-colour ambient lighting, Burmester sound system with 15 speakers and 710 watt, massaging seats and Nappa leather (offered as an option). AMG steering wheel buttons, sports pedals and floor mats along with AMG lettering on door sills are also a part of its interior makeup.Power and PerformancePower and performance on the new Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is seen via a 400V, 107.8 kWh lithium ion battery with an AMG electric motor on each axle. This dual-motor setup offers 762 hp power and 1,020 Nm torque. As per the WLTP cycle, it offers a range upto 585 kms and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds with a top speed rated at 250 km/h. An optimum temperature range of the battery is achieved via a cooling circuit and PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) booster heater integrated into it.Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ India LaunchIt also gets a 4Matic+ fully variable all-wheel drive system. It supports upto 200 kW DC rapid charging and 22 kW fast charging. The India spec model comes in with Dynamic Plus Package as standard which makes 761 hp Race Start mode.Suspension to this flagship electric vehicle is via four-link axle in front and multi-link axle at the rear. It also gets AMG’s Ride Control+ air suspension, working together with electronically controlled active dampers and rear-axle steering. Updates to the battery management system can be done over the air. It also comes in with an AMG Track Pace software that records over 80 vehicle specific data among which are speed and acceleration during racetrack driving. Driving dynamics can be altered via four AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes of Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.2022 Mercedes EQS ElectricFirst in industry service interval is being offered on the new EQS 53 that includes 2 years/30,000 kms, battery warranty of 10 years (8+2 years) or 2,50,000 kms. The service pack starts at Rs 1,15,000 while the advanced assurance pack is at Rs 2,50,000.Mercedes Benz India has also stated that by the end of this year it will have the largest ultra fast charging network covering 80 percent of the country. For this the company has made an investment of Rs 15 crores with its franchise partners. The fast charging network will be exclusive to Mercedes-Benz customers and will be offered free of cost for the first year only. More

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      New Mercedes G Class Electric SUV Concept Makes Global Debut

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      Mercedes G Class Electric SUV Concept
      Upon its launch, the electric G Wagon from Mercedes Benz will rival other electric off-roading SUVs such as GMC Hummer EV and electric Ford Bronco
      One of the most popular lineups of cars from Mercedes Benz has been re-envisioned in a whole new avatar. The G-Wagon nameplate from the German marque needs no introduction as it is considered one of the purest forms of SUVs still in production. Recently, the carmaker took a giant step towards electrification of its entire lineup.
      Mercedes Benz has officially unveiled a concept of what could become the first fully electric G Class SUV in future. Officially referred to as Concept EQG, it made its maiden public appearance recently at the IAA Mobility Show 2021 in Munich. The company says that the EQG Concept is a vision of what an electrified G-Class will look like.
      A final production version of an electric G Wagon is expected to make its debut in 2025 which will be based on the EQG Concept. Speaking of its design, Concept EQG unmistakably looks like a G-Class with close visual relations with its IC engine-powered sibling. However, the battery-powered G Wagon comes with a series of styling revisions that mirrors the design of futuristic electric vehicles.
      Mercedes G Class Electric – Exterior Styling
      The exterior overhaul of the SUV is subtle with a similar dual-tone paint scheme used in other EV models from Mercedes such as the EQS luxury sedan. The entire exterior has been installed with illuminated trim elements which include a solid black panel with a 3D star pattern replacing the front grille. Upfront, the faux grille is flanked by round LED headlights circled by integrated LED DRLs.
      Mercedes G Class Electric SUV Concept
      The SUV stands on large 22-inch aluminium wheels while in place of a spare-wheel carrier, it features a storage box. The storage box has been designed to look like the charging station which consists of the port and charging cables. Concept EQG carries the signature G Class boxy silhouette and is still underpinned by a ladder-on-frame chassis that sits on an independent suspension in front and a solid axle at the rear.
      Powerful & off-road capable
      While exact specs of its powertrain haven’t been revealed, it has come to light that the SUV will be powered by four electric motors each mounted close to the four wheels. Mercedes says that each of these motors can be operated independently to provide “unique driving characteristics.” These motors will be connected via a two-speed gearbox which effectively offers low-range and high-range gearing thus fulfilling its off-roading requirements.
      Mercedes says instant torque provided by an electric powertrain will further enhance the SUV’s off-roading capabilities with enormous pulling power and controllability. The battery is integrated into the ladder frame to ensure a low centre of gravity. While exact battery specs, range and performance figures have not yet been revealed, it will certainly eclipse the present IC engine-powered G Wagons.
      Current IC Engine G Wagons
      Currently, G Wagon is offered in two iterations in India- the regular G350d and the more powerful AMG G63. The latter is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 petrol motor which dishes out a mammoth 577 bhp and 850 Nm of peak torque. The AG G63 sprint 0-100kmph in just 4.5 seconds making the fastest G Wagon. More

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      2022 Mercedes Benz EQS Electric Debuts With 770 Kms Range

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      2022 Mercedes EQS ElectricThe EQS has one of the best aerodynamics with the lowest drag coefficient in its segment of 0.20
      With demand shifting to non-fossil fuel energy sources gaining momentum in the last few years, the German carmaker has a string of new electric cars ready for launch within its dedicated EV sub-brand ‘EQ’. However, the marque isn’t going to compromise on a few things that have earned it the brand image the company enjoys today, one of them being luxury.
      S-Class stands at the top-end of Mercedes Benz’s global lineup and is the epitome of luxury on wheels. The carmaker has now taken the covers off the fully electric version of the luxury sedan called EQS. The electric sedan will be offered in two variants- 450+ and 580 4Matic and is expected to go on sale by the end of this year.
      2022 Mercedes EQS Electric
      Exterior Styling
      EQS is based on the Vision EQS concept that made its maiden appearance in 2019, however, sports a few differences in its actual production form. Its appearance is commanded by Mercedes’ “one-bow roofline” design philosophy that essentially forms a projectile roofline.
      The roof arches back to a heavily angled liftback-style tailgate giving the sedan a sportier appeal than its fossil-fueled sibling. At front end, it gets a black faux grille panel flanked by angular headlights on both sides with a “three-dimensional star pattern”.
      2022 Mercedes EQS Electric
      The headlight clusters are themselves joined by a horizontal light bar. The electric sedan’s body is made of aluminium making it very light for its size and wrapped by a two-tone colour scheme with a contrasting upper half.
      2022 Mercedes EQS Electric
      It features a fixed clamshell bonnet that doubles up as front wheel arches. The doors are frameless as expected from this range of cars and feature the same flush door handles as its IC engine-powered counterpart.
      The electric S-class is built on the brand’s new dedicated EVA (Electric Vehicle Architecture) platform that will also underpin the upcoming EQE. At a length measuring 5265mm, it is closer to the long wheelbase version of S-Class rather than the standard S-Class. Other dimensions read as 1,926mm wide in width and1,512mm tall while the wheelbase measures a staggering 3,210mm. Despite the enormous size, Mercedes claims a very low drag coefficient of only 0.20.
      2022 Mercedes EQS Electric
      Powertrains specs & Performance
      The 450+ trim comes powered by a single rear-wheel biased motor while the 580 4Matic trim comes with a dual motor setup providing all-wheel-drive functionality. The former returns an output of 329 bhp and 458 Nm of peak torque and is capable of sprinting 0-100 kmph in just 6.2 seconds. The latter receives a combined output of 516 bhp and 856 Nm of peak torque while 0-100 kmph acceleration time reduces to a meagre 4.3 seconds.
      However, top speed on both variants have been capped at 210 kmph which results in a more than an impressive driving range of 770km on a single charge as per WLTP cycle. The motors are fed by a 107.8kWh battery pack but Mercedes says it will also offer a smaller 90 kWh battery at the time of launch. The company has also revealed that a more powerful 715 bhp AMG version of the sedan based in the same twin-motor setup as 580 4Matic is in making.
      2022 Mercedes EQS Electric
      Interior & Features on offer
      Step inside the cabin and one would feel that he/she has time travelled to future. The biggest highlight (literally) is the new digital Hyperscreen dashboard which contains three screens, eight CPUs, 24GB of RAM and the latest MBUX software. The cabin is a proper definition of opulence and comes with all bells and whistles one receives in a modern-day car and much more.
      Some feature highlights include a Burmester surround sound system comprising 15 speakers, a rear-wheel steering system, OTA software updates, a panoramic sunroof, multi-zone climate control to name only a few. Safety kit on offer features driver-assist technologies such as lane-keeping assist, steering assist, adaptive cruise control, etc.
      2022 Mercedes EQS Electric
      EQS is slated for an international launch in the US towards the end of 2021 at an expected price of USD 100,000 that translates to approx INR 75 lakh. Indian market is also likely to see EQS on the roads at some stage next year maybe. In India, it will be sold as a CBU. More

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      Mercedes S Class Electric Car’s Full Dashboard Curved Display Unveiled

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      Mercedes Benz Hyperscreen
      Mercedes EQS electric limousine will be the first production vehicle to receive MBUX Hyperscreen

      For the electric version of new S-Class, Mercedes has come up with a new-age dashboard made entirely of a curved display screen that spans across the width of the cabin. Called the MBUX Hyperscreen, the new piece of technology incorporates three screens into one. This could redefine automotive dashboards in the foreseeable future.
      Mercedes MBUX Hyperscreen
      The MBUX Hyperscreen incorporates three displays – the instrument panel, infotainment system, and an entertainment screen for the front passenger. The central and front passenger displays benefit from OLED technology for better picture quality and pack in haptic feedback.
      As you can imagine, fabricating such a sophisticated plastic panel loaded with multiple elements requires a special process. The curved unit is moulded in three dimensions using a special three-layer coating which Mercedes calls as the ‘Silver Shadow’. The company claims that the process renders the display unit a high quality surface impression while reducing reflection and making cleaning easier.
      With the help of ambient lighting, the MBUX Hyperscreen gives an optical illusion of floating. Provisions for the AC vents on given on both sides of the single-piece panel.
      Mercedes Benz Hyperscreen
      Based on an evolution of the current Mercedes S Class’ operating system, the Hyperscreen’s software architecture is claimed to be radically easy to operate and ‘extremely eager’ learn. Thanks to the AI, the system adopts a zero-layer menu system which displays relevant information at required time based on user preferences thereby avoiding the need to scroll through several items or use voice command.
      Features
      According to data collected by Mercedes from the earlier generation of the MBUX system, the most commonly used features include navigation, media and telephone which are integrated into the central display. The AI offers as many as twenty additional features as and when the user requires them. Examples include seat ventilation, massage, location-based suspension ride height increase.
      The passenger side of the screen also can support up to 7 custom profiles with the AI improving the overall experience. This display is subjected to country-specific safety regulations. When not entertaining the front passenger, that part of the screen turns into an animated display of stars to enhance the overall ambiance.
      [embedded content]
      The Mercedes MBUX Hyperscreen will be an optional extra in the eagerly anticipated EQS electric luxury limousine which is slated to be launched later this year. The same piece of equipment is expected to be offered by the upcoming EQS SUV as well. Knowing Mercedes, the Hyperscreen will eventually make its journey down the product portfolio.
      Mercedes has been a trend setter when it comes to interior design and technology. We won’t be surprised to see similar dashboard features from other OEMs in the coming years. More

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      Smart ForFour Electric Car Spotted In Bangalore – Near Mercedes Showroom

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      Smart ForFour Electric Car Spotted In Bangalore
      While the Smart ForFour will thrive in a congested city environment, it is too expensive for India

      Smart, a popular European city car brand which was born out of a partnership between famed Swiss watch maker Swatch and Mercedes-Benz, has no official presence in India. The Smart ForTwo and ForFour micro-hatchbacks feel at home in congested urban environment with narrow seats and hard-to-find parking spots. These cars will excel in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and so on, but they are deemed too expensive for our market.
      Smart ForFour in Bangalore
      A Smart ForFour with private registration plates has been recently spotted in Bangalore, by automotive enthusiast Paulson. The car was spotted near a Mercedes Benz showroom. A little bit of digging showed that the five-door micro-crossover-esque hatchback is registered to Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV). It has been registered in 2018 but interestingly there are no documented spotting prior to this instance.
      Perhaps the vehicle spent most of its time indoors as a part of an internal project. After all, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) is based in Bangalore and plays a significant role in the automaker’s global R&D network.
      It is also possible that, as the registration details suggest, one of DICV’s top expat officials wished to use the Smart ForFour as their official company car instead of a swanky Mercedes in a bid to beat the infamous Bangalore traffic.
      Smart ForFour Electric Car in Bangalore
      So, the ForFour could be a private import as a company car. The proper registration suggests that the vehicle is not here for testing purposes and hence we don’t expect Smart to make its Indian foray anytime soon.
      Smart ForFour at a glance
      Introduced in 2014, the current generation of Smart ForFour shares its platform with the Renault Twingo small car. The entry-level model is powered by a 1.0-liter three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine which puts outs a modest 70 hp while higher variants get a 0.9-liter turbocharged three-pot petrol unit which is good for 90 hp. There is also a EQ ForFour, a pure electric variant which has 82 hp on tap.

      In terms of equipment, the Europe-spec Smart ForFour features a touchscreen infotainment system, multiple airbags, ABS, ESP, alloy wheels, dual-tone exterior color theme and so on. The ForFour is a zippy and nimble urban runabout.
      India’s Smart ForFour equivalents
      The Smart ForFour is for the European market what the Maruti Ignis is for India. The SUV-ish hatchback a.k.a. micro-crossover is an emerging concept in our market with three new models in the pipeline namely the Tata HBX, Citroen CC21 and Hyundai AX1 (all are codenames). More

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      Mercedes EQC 4×4 Squared Concept – Electric SUV For Off Roading

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      Mercedes Benz EQC 4×4 Squared is a more rugged utilitarian version of the standard EQC 400 Electric

      Future mobility is gonna take shape with the development of electric vehicles (EVs). It is being developed keeping sustainability, lower emission levels, convenience and affordability in mind. Strictly catering to these needs might not veer purists towards this direction.
      Automotive enthusiasts always want to have a bit of fun with their vehicles which don’t necessarily comply with electric cars on offer. While most of the modern electric cars have power on both axles thanks to a dual-motor setup, they can’t be termed as off-roaders.
      Keeping the interests of off-roading enthusiasts in mind, Mercedes Benz has developed a concept that might lay the foundation stone to future off-roading machines based on an electric powertrain. The German automaker has developed a concept based on the recently launched electric SUV- ECQ 400 which is meant to explore the unexplored terrains.

      Differences between EQC 400 and EQC 4×4² Squared
      The ECQ 4×4² Squared rides on higher grounds with better approach and departure angles. It is the third member of Mercedes’ 4×4² family. It still runs on the battery setup provided in the standard EQC. An 80-kilowatt-hour battery powers dual asynchronous electric motors, one on each axle, to generate a combined output of 402 bhp and 760 Nm of torque.
      To make it look like a proper off-roader, Mercedes has added a roof rack, fender flares, and a tow hitch. At 293mm of ground clearance, it stands way higher than the standard EQC 400 which stands at just 140mm. It gets 20-inch alloys wheels which are wrapped with 285/50 section of tyres. The revised approach, departure and break-over angles also come in handy at 31.8 degree, 33 degree and 24.2 degree respectively. Its water wading capacity stands at 400mm which quite considering it is carrying a battery pack.

      Improved off-road capabilities
      These improved numbers are thanks to the revised suspension setup. Instead of conventional suspension units, the EQC 4×4² Squared utilises a set of portal axles that allows the wheels to sit at a height much lower than the centre of axle owing to portal gears. The consequence of this that the wheel track is increased significantly therefore the need for makeshift wheel arch flares.
      This offset lends the vehicle way more ground clearance thus improving its off-road capability. Similar suspension setup is also seen in the G-Wagon, which is arguably one of the best off-roading machines currently around the globe. A new off-road mode has also been added which has been borrowed from GLC. While taking off on loose grounds, this off-road mode enables an improved torque curve with the help of targeted brake interventions.

      Future Electric Off-Road Vehicles
      Prior to the EQC 4×4² Squared, Mercedes had two products in this range- G500 4×4 Squared and a Squared version of the Mercedes E-Class All Terrain station wagon. The former even went into limited production. The German marque hasn’t yet confirmed whether this concept will enter into production or not. If not, then it could very well pave the path for the upcoming electric G-Wagon- the new generation G-Class 4×4 Squared which will be based on V-8-powered G550. More