Mercedes-Benz ‘EQA’ hatch heading to Frankfurt – report
German marque Mercedes-Benz is planning to reveal the next member of its EQ electric sub-brand at this year's Frankfurt motor show in September, according to a new report out of the UK.
Autocar claims the vehicle will preview the company's entry-level EV, dubbed 'EQA', which will go on sale around the year 2020.
It will allegedly take the form of a small hatchback, likely to be similar in size to the A-Class, taking on the likes of the BMW i3 and the upcoming production version of the Volkswagen I.D. concept.
The entry-level EV is just one of 10 electric models planned by Mercedes-Benz between now and 2022, and will join the production version of last year's Generation EQ SUV concept, which is believed to be named the EQC.
Above, Top: Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ concept
Recent trademark applications filed by the German luxury powerhouse also hint at larger EQE and EQS models, which would create a similar family of model lines to the current A, C, E and S families.
Autocar's source says the EQA will be the volume seller, priced from under 35,000 pounds ($60,709), and will be based on Mercedes-Benz's new modular electric architecture (MEA) platform.
It's also reported the EQA will adopt the same black panel grille and glossy fascia treatment previewed by the Generation EQ concept.
Unlike the Generation EQ, however, the EQA's driveline is expected to be a single front-mounted electric motor as opposed to the dual-motor set-up that will power the EQC - based on its more affordable intentions. A performance version could still get the dual-motor layout, though, according to the publication's source.
Above: Mercedes-Benz A-Class
This latest development comes days after Mercedes-Benz broke ground at the site of its new $747 million battery factory in Kamenz, Germany, which will produce modules for EQ models and electrified versions of the company's core models, like the facelifted 2018 S-Class.
For now, we'll have to wait until the Frankfurt motor show this September to see if these claims are true. Stay tuned.
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