Radical Mercedes-Benz EQC 4×4² boasts extreme EV capability

Mercedes-Benz has taken its EQC electric SUV to the extreme with the radical EQC 4×4².

Described as a “drivable technology platform”, the 4×4² is a one-off engineering development version of the EQC400 electric car but one with an intense focus on off-road capability.

Whereas the regular EQC is a soft-roader made for light dirt tracks (at best) the EQC 4×4² is made to tackle some serious terrain.

Key to the mechanical upgrades include portal axles, the sort of thing typically reserved for hard core Toyota, Nissan, Jeep and Land Rover off-roaders.

Those axles and chunky 285mm-wide Cooper Zeon LTZ off-road tyres (similar to those used on the shortlived HSV Sportscat) more than double the ground clearance, from 140mm in the regular EQC to 293mm in the EQC 4×4².

Wheel arch flares add around 10cm to the width on either side in an effort to cover those fat tyres.

The EQC 4×4² can also traverse 400mm of water, which is better than the regular EQC (250mm) but around half that of proper off-roaders.

Approach and departure angles (31.8 degrees and 33.0 degrees respectively) have been increased significantly over the EQC400 (20.6 degrees and 20.0 degrees) as a result of the ride height increase.

The twin-motor setup of the EQC400 remains, although Mercedes-Benz has given it more character, partly through sound.

The headlights have been turned into “lampspeakers” that emit noises depending on how the car is being driven.

There’s also a unique drive mode program called Offroad+.

While driving range is clearly an issue for electric vehicles in tackling off-road conditions – especially in countries as vast as Australia – the core EV architecture is expected to make vehicles more capable in rugged conditions.

“Electric, progressive luxury goes off-road” is how Mercedes-Benz COO Markus Schäfer described the EQC 4×4².

“Our aim is to combine modern luxury and sustainability with emotional appeal. The EQC 4×4² shows how enjoyable sustainable mobility can be.

“This is where electromobility high-tech and an intriguing customer experience are transferred to the mountains, thanks to MBUX and over-the-air updates.”

While the EQC 4×4² is clearly a one-off demonstration of what can be achieved with electric off-roaders, it also gives some clues to some of the technology Benz might look at employing for future models.

Schäfer said in focusing more heavily on electric mobility Mercedes-Benz “will heighten the emotional appeal of this even further in the future”.

And Mercedes-Benz has form in surprising with some experimental models in the past.

The G500 4×4² created in 2015 – it was a similar concept that added to the G-Wagen’s off-road ability – was made in small numbers for overseas markets.