German luxury vehicle company Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a new premium vehicle in the small van segment, which it promises will have an all-electric variant. The Mercedes-Benz Vans Concept EQT is described as a “near-series-production concept vehicle” and is intended to translate the success of the company’s V-Class into a more compact format. Looking a little like a London Black Cab in the press photos provided by Mercedes-Benz, the EQT will seemingly first hit markets with an internal combustion engine. Though the “EQ” sub-brand is Mercedes-Benz’s electric offering, the company offered no indication of when the all-electric option will be available. As such, the EQT will first be available as a T-Class and a fully-electric variant “will follow later.”
Even though there are no official details regarding the powertrain being used, it is suspected Mercedes-Benz mirror an identical powertrain as Renault's Kagoo, which includes a 115bhp, 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine with different states of tune ranging from 75hp to 110hp.
Measuring in at 4,945mm in length, 1,863mm in width, and 1,826mm in height, the Concept EQT features sliding doors on both sides which allows adults of all sizes to easily access the third row of seats. A panoramic sunroof also boasts a starscape lasered into it which floods the interior with light.
Upfront there is a black panel with a 3D star effect combined with slim LED headlamps, while the rear houses full-width LED tail lamps. The premium look is further enhanced by the use of 21-inch wheels shod by 235-section low profile tyres, panoramic glass roof and a leather-lined interior.
The third-row seats can also be folded or removed completely to provide more luggage space, and a vertical tailgate and window further provide a spacious load compartment. Boasting a richly upholstered interior in white and black, the instrument panel looks a little squishy, but eye-catching in white and sky blue.
While Mercedes-Benz already has V-Class as the brand's sole MPV, Mercedes plans to expand its customer base with an affordable range of smaller T-Class MPV and all-electric EQT. This is a brilliant move, one that hints that the EQT will have many takers.
