Mercedes-Benz's First Tesla Fighter Is a Blue-Nosed SUV

The Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ show car is "close" to an upcoming electric Mercedes intended to challenge Tesla Motors. Image source: Daimler.

German luxury giant Mercedes-Benz unveiled a concept version of its first premium battery-electric vehicle in Paris this past week.

The "Generation EQ" is a battery-electric crossover SUV with two electric motors and a claimed range of "up to 500 kilometers." Officially, for now, it's a show car -- but Mercedes confirmed that it's "close" to a vehicle it intends to bring to market in the near future.

A futuristic take on Mercedes' current styling

On the outside, the Generation EQ is Mercedes' take on "an avant-garde, contemporary and distinctive electro-look," according to design chief Gorden Wagener. The most striking design element is the blue lighting in its nose, which is incorporated in the vehicle's interior as well.

I'm not sure how well the big blue nose will be received if it appears on the production version, but overall the Generation EQ looks like a somewhat sleeker version of its gasoline-powered equivalent, Mercedes' GLC crossover. The nose aside, it's a handsome shape that should play well with luxury buyers.

A view of the Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ show vehicle's interior. Image source: Daimler.

Inside, it's show-car fancy, with super-thin seats, touch-based controls, and no knobs at all on the dash. There are only four seats, which Mercedes somewhat fancifully says helps "make for a visual lightness." (I expect the production version to have an interior more like a typical Mercedes crossover, with some added futuristic touches.)

Competitive specs, particularly at the expected price

The tech specs are solid, though mostly not groundbreaking. The Generation EQ has two motors, one on each axle, giving it always-on all-wheel-drive and a claimed 0 to 100 kilometers per hour (0-62 mph) acceleration time of "under five seconds."

The vehicle's battery pack will apparently be available in more than one size, with the largest being "over 70 kilowatt-hours," Mercedes said. The claimed range (on the European NEDC standard) is "up to 500 kilometers" (310 miles). The NEDC standard is more generous than the EPA standard used in the U.S.; an EPA-rated range of around 250 miles is likely.

The Generation EQ supports DC Fast charging under the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard, as well as wireless charging via an induction system. Mercedes' statement hints that its vehicles will be able to support DC Fast chargers of up to 300 kilowatts, which will add 100 kilometers (62 miles) of range within five minutes. (Those 300 kW chargers don't exist yet, but they're coming.)

Mercedes' new electric vehicles will support wireless inductive charging. Image source: Daimler.

Price? Mercedes hasn't said clearly, but the hint is that it will be priced similarly to the gas-powered GLC, which in the U.S. starts at $39,000. (Realistically, $45,000-ish is probably a reasonable guess, though you may have to pay more for the 70 kWh battery pack.)

Long story short: It's enough to be competitive, especially at the expected price, but its technical specs aren't going to keep Tesla Motors' (NASDAQ: TSLA) engineers up at night. (Its quality might, but that's another discussion.)

If Mercedes delivers on price, this could be a winner

The Generation EQ previews the first of what Mercedes' corporate parent Daimler (NASDAQOTH: DDAIF) promises will be "more than 10" fully electric vehicles to come to market by 2025 under the Mercedes-Benz and Smart brands.

It also debuts a new sub-brand for Mercedes' electric vehicles, "EQ." In the near term, Mercedes is expected to launch at least four premium electric vehicles aimed at Tesla's general neighborhood, including a larger crossover and two sedans.

Mercedes' upcoming battery-electricvehicles will support DC fast charging. Image source:Daimler.

Based on the Generation EQ, we can say that Mercedes is solidly in the game. While the specs of Tesla's top models are ahead of this Mercedes', they're also cost three times the Mercedes' expected starting price.

If Daimler can really deliver these specs with Mercedes-Benz quality for a street price of under $50,000 (and maybe without the blue nose), it could have a hit on its hands -- if it can make enough of them.

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John Rosevear has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Tesla Motors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.