Before a new car comes onto the market, it is exposed to strict tests all over the world for many months, sometimes years. Sweden often houses a large part of this trip, its cold north indicates the perfect mix of cold temperatures and frozen surfaces.
There I have a little testing an upcoming new EV from Mercedes-Benz. It is the GLC with EQ technology, an all-electric version of one of the most popular SUVs in the company. With new batteries, new engines and a higher voltage charging system, it marks a significant deviation from the company’s current EV offers such as the .
But could it be better to drive? That is the question that brought me to Sweden. I am generally quite comfortable with ice and snow. I definitely did it long enough, lived in the northeast all my life and ice races in the past 20 years. But lie down to the wheel of an invaluable, handmade prototype and I will usually take a few minutes before I start to really push things.
Not so when I climbed behind the steering wheel of the electric GLC SUV. Within 30 seconds I had my foot flat on the floor, and I flew an ice -covered path with a dilapidated development engineer, which halved a birch tree stand.
The traction and stability control systems of the new GLC are so good. Where most cars simply cut all the strength in such a slippery situation, especially practical like a typical crossover SUV, the GLC was far more donor. When the handle over sections of dark, glassy ice was low, the system reduced the power application and stopped me from making a large, expensive dent in a snow ban.
However, when the grip was there, the GLC quickly got back to maximum acceleration and was based on the performance of its double electromotors and all-wheel drive to pursue us smoothly and cleanly between the trees. These engines and the smarts that you control are part of the new platform from Mercedes-Benz, Mb.ea. These are permanent magnetic engines, with the front containing a physical separation to reduce resistance if it is not required.
The car also has a new heat pump, which can absorb heat energy from the ambient air and the different internal systems of the car. Mercedes engineers said that it would heat the cabin twice as quickly as its current EVs using half of the energy. In fact, despite the temperatures far below freezing, the interior in the GLC was quite cozy.
Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the range of the vehicle under these conditions. After all, this is only a pre -production prototype. Nevertheless, I expect a significant improvement compared to the 307 miles that the EQE -SUV can manage with a fee. The batteries in the GLC rely on revised chemistry to reduce dependence on dependency while the energy density increases at the same time. That means more miles per pound of battery.
Another thing that helps to expand the range is a revised regenerative brake system. The GLC has several different rain rates, including a one-pedal mode that brings the SUV to a complete stop. However, if you choose the brake pedal, you may notice that it feels a bit strange.
This is because the pedal does not really step on the pedal. Similar to A The resistance here is simulated. You don’t feel a hydraulic system that presses pistons just to compress Springs.
It’s a different feeling, but not a bad one. The idea is that the car gives you a steady, consistent feeling, regardless of what you do or how you drive. The car itself will determine how much of its desired delay is due to the regenerative of the electric motors. If it needs more than you can offer, it seamlessly calls on the physical brakes for reinforcement.
In practice, it works excellently. The car stops smoothly and cleanly, and there is no occasional uneven brakes that you get when you stamp hard on the stop pedal in an EV. The lack of pedal feedback, when ABS is received, is a bit disappointing, but then I heard that pulse leads to some people withdraw the brake pedal, so it may be the best.
When pounding on the other pedal, the GLC accelerates again. It is fast enough to entertain performance -oriented drivers. In view of the low type of streets and paths that I have covered, I cannot say how competent a handler is.
I can say that the optional air suspension has done a sublime job about really terrible road conditions. Ruts, washing boards, frosthöfe, they call it, the car soaked it and even increased the suspension by one centimeter when somewhat deeper snow and ice made a little more ground release necessary. On more smooth roads, the GLC was the calm sedan that is supposed to be a luxury -EV. There was a bit of street noise from the aggressively sniffing, but this thing should be an adorable cruiser with normal tires.
The only problem? We have to be patient. The GLC will make its formal debut in Germany in September, which means that it will probably not enter into production until 2026. Mercedes-Benz has not yet set a price for the electrical GLC. In view of the currently state of the world, it is guessed to everyone what the incentive/tariff situation for foreign electric vehicles will look like, even those built in the USA in the USA like Mercedes-Benzs .
However, if it is correct and it doesn’t look too terrible if these camouflage stickers and stickers are removed, it should be a winner. I can hardly wait for another decline to be behind the steering wheel and another chance of becoming even more comfortable.
This article was originally published on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/mercedes-benz-glc-with-eq-technology-Prototype-better-WHILED-23015718.HTML?SRC=rss
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