Mercedes-Benz EQT: ‘electric T-class’ for the Netherlands

Last spring we were introduced to a new class of Mercedes-Benz, the T-class. That sounds a bit more exciting than it is, because the T-class that is not available here in the Netherlands is essentially the passenger car version of the Citan. The T-class and Citan are technical counterparts of the Renault Kangoo and there is already an electric passenger version of that Kangoo. Mercedes-Benz obviously cannot stay behind and in May 2021 already presented a preview of an electric T-class with the EQT Concept. As expected, it will now receive a production follow-up in the form of the EQT. It will come to the Netherlands.

Subtle EQ sauce

As the newest member of the EQ family, the Mercedes-Benz EQT naturally gets a design-technical EQ sauce poured over it, although the differences with the T-class are less extreme than you might have expected based on the concept car. Among other things, the EQT differs from its conventionally powered brother with a larger gloss black painted ‘grille’, with flares above and below the headlights. Those headlights look almost the same as with the T-class, although it seems that the interior is slightly darker in color. At the back it is recognisable, with a sharp eye you can only distinguish the EQT and T-class from each other on the road by checking whether there is an exhaust. Of course you can also check whether there is a tank cover, because where it is on the right rear of the T-class, it is missing on the EQT. The charging port of the electric EQT is hidden behind the Mercedes logo in the nose.

It is also familiar in the interior of the EQT, although various EQ logos in the infotainment betray that you are on the road with an electric Mercedes-Benz. Just like in the T-Class, behind the two front seats is a bench with three clearly separated seats, not only spacious enough for three adults, but you should also be able to accommodate up to three child seats. You can charge mobile devices with four USB ports and you can also charge your phone wirelessly. In terms of total cargo space, you have to sacrifice something compared to the T-class, undoubtedly because of the battery in the bottom. In the Mercedes-Benz EQT, just under 4.5 meters long and 1.82 meters high, you can stow up to 1,979 liters with the sofa flat, while you can use up to 2,127 liters of space in the T-class. With the seat up you can use up to 551 liters and that is a bit more than in the T-class (520 liters).

Known figures

As mentioned, the Mercedes-Benz EQT shares its basis with the Renault Kangoo E-Tech Electric and the technical data therefore do not yield any major surprises. A 122 hp and 245 Nm strong electric motor drives the front wheels and draws its power from a 45 kWh battery pack. It gives the EQT a driving range of 282 km, almost the same as the Renault Kangoo E-Tech Electric. You can top up with the 22 kW on-board charger, which can fully charge the battery in 2.5 hours. If that’s not fast enough for you, you can connect the EQT to the DC charger to top up with a maximum of 80 kW. In that case, charging from 10 to 80 percent is done in 38 minutes. Towing is also possible: the EQT can drag up to 1,500 kilos with brakes, and up to 750 kilos unbraked.

Camping

Campers are more popular than ever and a relatively small bus like the EQT is also suitable for camping adventures. The chance to get a piece of the booming Mercedes-Benz understandably cannot pass up the camper market. The so-called Marco Polo Module will be available for the EQT. It is located in the back of the EQT and provides, among other things, a sleeping place for two people. With the sofa flat, you can pull out a kind of bed base that can be placed over it. This creates a sleeping place of 2 meters by 1.15 meters. Furthermore, drawers can be pulled out at the back of the car, in which you will find, among other things, a small cooking set.

Mercedes-Benz EQT with Marco Polo Module

Looking for more extensive camping fun? With the Concept EQT Marco Polo, Mercedes-Benz is showing an EQT completely converted into a motorhome. In addition to a bed that can be folded away, it has a real camper interior with cupboards and a sink, but you can also partly raise the roof to be able to stand in the EQT. A cool box and a 12 liter water tank to connect to the tap are also included.

Mercedes-Benz Concept EQT Marco Polo

It is not yet known exactly when the Mercedes-Benz EQT will be launched. The production version of the Concept EQT Marco Polo will in any case appear in the second half of 2023, so we can logically expect the EQT earlier in 2023.