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Mercedes-Benz EQT 7-seat EV concept

Mercedes-Benz has revealed its Concept EQT, providing a first look at the seven-seat EV it will produce from next year. And there’s a chance it will make it to Australia.

The show car “offers a very good preview of the future T-Class and its electric sibling, the EQT,” said Mercedes-Benz Vans vehicle testing manager Nicola Crimi. “The Concept EQT is for people who need one thing above all… a lot of space.”

Mercedes-EQ Concept EQT 2021 — Concept EQT features some show-car bling, but the basic outline is what’s headed for production

The almost five-metre long EQT has a footprint similar to a large luxury car, but its tall and boxy body can accommodate more people and gear. Large sliding doors on both sides make access to the three second-row seats easy, while the pair of third-row seats can be folded or removed.

There’s another sliding door on the other side of the Concept EQT

Inside, the Concept EQT features Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX infotainment system with added EV-specific navigation and functions. While the interior fit-out includes show-car touches, like the use of recycled leather in the seats and an electric skateboard that fits beneath the cargo compartment floor, the same basic design will be seen in the production EQT.

“We’re definitely looking at it,” said Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia spokesman Blake Vincent, referring to both the electric EQT and the ICE-powered T-Class versions of the van.

“There is good potential within the small-van category, both on the commercial side and for dual-purpose use.” In the case that both the T-Class and EQT come to Australia, the ICE variants would be the first to launch, he said.

Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia has earlier told EV Central that it’s eager to import the larger EQV passenger van and its work van twin, the eVito. There’s also a light-commercial version of the smaller EQT. The eCitan is scheduled to go into production this year.

The Citan isn’t a purely Mercedes-Benz Vans project. It’s designed, developed and produced under a deal between Mercedes-Benz’s parent company, Daimler, and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.

This means the eCitan and EQT are sure to have much in common with the new Renault Kangoo ZE and Nissan e-NV200 electric vans.Mercedes-Benz Vans didn’t provide any details of the electric powertrain that will go into the production version of the EQT in the presentation of the concept, but the tie-up with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance means it’s sure to be front-drive.

John Carey

Grew up in country NSW, way back when petrol was laced with lead. Has written about cars and the car business for more than 35 years, working full-time and freelance for leading mags, major newspapers and websites in Australia and (sometimes) overseas. Avidly interested in core EV technologies like motors and batteries, and believes the switch to electromobility definitely should be encouraged. Is waiting patiently for someone to make a good and affordable EV that will fit inside his tiny underground garage in northern Italy, where he's lived for the past decade. Likes the BMW i3, but it's just too damned wide...