Mercedes-Benz EQB - 2022
Channel: Collection
Date: 15/11/2021

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB

Whether it's for a large nuclear family or a small extended family: as a seven-seater, the new EQB offers space for many family configurations and a wide variety of transport needs. This gives it an exceptional position among compact electric cars. The two seats in the third row can be used by people up to 1.65 metres tall, and child seats can also be fitted there. The new EQB will launch in Europe and China at the end of the year, followed by the US market launch in 2022. After the EQA, it is already the second all-electric compact car from Mercedes-EQ. The powerful and efficient electric drive, clever recuperation and predictive Navigation with Electric Intelligence are just some of the features that link it to the EQA.

The electric initiative from Mercedes-Benz Cars is accelerating as fast as the Mercedes-EQ models themselves: with the EQA, EQB, the electric business saloon EQE and the luxury saloon EQS, a total of four new models from Mercedes-EQ are being introduced in 2021, plus the Concept EQT as a harbinger of a new high level of quality in the small van segment. The Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid family, currently consisting of more than 20 model variants, is being renewed with electrified derivatives of the C-Class and the S-Class. For 2021, Mercedes-Benz Cars expects to increase the xEV share, i.e. of plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles, to around 13 percent. In addition, mild hybrids with a starter-generator and 48-volt system are conquering the product range, especially of the Group's luxury vehicles.

Aerodynamics

The EQB achieves a very good value with a Cd value from 0.28. The frontal area A totals 2.53 m2. Among the most important aerodynamic measures are the completely closed cooling air control system in the upper section, the aerodynamically efficient front and rear aprons, a very smooth, almost completely enclosed underbody, specially optimised Aero wheels and specifically adapted front and rear wheel spoilers.

The aerodynamic development of the EQB was largely undertaken digitally. The ensuing measurements undertaken in the wind tunnel confirmed the high quality of the numerical simulation. The EQB builds on the very good aerodynamic basis of the GLB. A new aerodynamic setup was necessary due to the new bumpers and the resulting different diffuser angle. Airflow separation at the front wheels has been reduced by the shape of the bumper and the design of the wheel spoilers with their wedge-shaped profiles, which were specially developed for the EQB.

The underbody panelling is also new. As an electric vehicle the EQB has no need for a transmission tunnel, exhaust system and fuel tank, these being replaced by a smooth-surfaced battery. The air flow along the underside of the body is guided virtually unimpeded from the front apron over the engine compartment panelling and three main floor panels through to the similarly enclosed rear axle and diffuser trim. Due to the longer wheelbase compared to the EQA and the slightly different battery position, the EQB has an additional trim piece in the main floor. This closes the gap between the battery and the axle fairing. In general, a lot of attention has been paid to details: the ribs that give strength to the underfloor panelling, for example, all run front to back.

The cooling-air intake is also to a design specifically for an electric vehicle: since the EQB has less need of cooling than a car with a combustion engine, it was possible to completely blank off the upper section of the cooling-air intake. The lower section features adjustable radiator shutters.

The aerodynamic measures at a glance:

Aerodynamic design of front and rear aprons
Wheel spoilers with wedge-shaped profile at the front, wheel spoilers at the rear
Cooling-air control system in the lower section of the front apron, smooth panel enclosing upper air intake
Improved sealing of the radiator area to ensure efficient use of the cooling air
Sealing in the vicinity of the headlamps
Aerodynamically and aeroacoustically optimised outside mirrors
Large roof spoiler, side spoilers and air flow break-away edges in the tail lights
Optimised underbody panelling concept including large trim panels enclosing engine compartment, main floor, rear axle, diffuser and spring links
Additional panelling behind the battery to improve the flow around the rear axle for the larger wheelbase of the EQB
Aerodynamically optimised wheels (many enclosed surfaces, minimal concavity, openings in the inner section) and tyres for all sizes of wheel.