[NeedForSpeed]

A hybrid is in my future, at least it seems to be with how the automotive world is moving these days. Maybe a GLC 350e is in my future. It's not bad with a combined power of 327 HP and 560 Nm of torque, for a 0 to 100 km/h of 5.9 seconds.

 

[Toobad]

It looks like it will soon be very hard to buy pure petrol or diesel engined vehicles. Volvo will only be offering hybrid or full electric cars from next year. I'm very interested in the Mercedes EQC which goes on sale later this year for deliveries next year. I don't think I'll be an early adopter and will probably wait for the E-Class variant which arrives later. It will give me more time to get a handle on this all-electric, connect-to-everything direction Mercedes sees itself heading in. Apparently EQ stands for Electric Intelligence.

 

[Philamg]

Volvos will cost a lot more than they do now, can't see it happening from a business point of view..

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/05/volvo-cars-electric-hybrid-2019

 

[Toobad]

Mercedes hope to bring the EQC to market for the same price as the 43 so I guess that's about £50k in round numbers. I suppose there is potential to follow the Tesla business model by offering further upgrades focussed around battery pack outputs. I guess an MB interpretation of Tesla's "Ludicrous Mode" upgrade could be made available at a similar price point to the current 63 S. With a pair of electric motors pushing out 405bhp in the base model and a sub-5s 0-60 time, what's not to like? Range anxiety may subdue uptake. The stated 310 miles between charges probably translates as 250 miles in the real world and until a comprehensive network of charging points is established, many owners may be somewhat reticent to wander much more than 100 miles from home. Apparently it will only take 5 minutes to put an additional 60 miles into the batteries.

MB Norway are already taking deposits for the EQC without even confirming the price! I guess the concept has appeal to the "Shut up and take my money" crowd. I think whilst you will be able to buy the car, the lithium ion battery packs may be on a rental basis much like a mobile phone SIM card. MB make their own batteries and want to create a whole EQ sub-brand so a unique pricing structure may well be on the cards.

 

[Philamg]

I have only driven one non diesel/petrol car and that was a Lexus, if that is the future of motoring I dread it, no soul in it for me.

 

[gb93616]

I think electric drive technology is great for buses, lorries etc. They'll tempt us in with all sorts of incentives then remove them as soon as enough people buy them.

A friend works for Ford, he was working on the placement of some sort of speaker, front and rear that makes the noise of engine on the electric transit. I guess it'll catch on, much like Diet Coke has. I mean who'd drink a sugary drink with no sugar? Millions do, but not me, full fat or water :grin2::grin2:

I don't want to drive a "v8" sounding milk float. I mean, how to you rev an electric car at the lights? Turn the speaker volume up and down?? Then do 0 to 60 in 2 seconds sounding like a hair dryer. I'd rather get there in 6 sounding like a lion roaring! (Not that my 350D sounds much like a lion, or even a cat for that matter, but it does have a soul....It IS alive...)

G

 

[Philamg]

I think electric drive technology is great for buses, lorries etc. They'll tempt us in with all sorts of incentives then remove them as soon as enough people buy them.

A friend works for Ford, he was working on the placement of some sort of speaker, front and rear that makes the noise of engine on the electric transit. I guess it'll catch on, much like Diet Coke has. I mean who'd drink a sugary drink with no sugar? Millions do, but not me, full fat or water :grin2::grin2:

I don't want to drive a "v8" sounding milk float. I mean, how to you rev an electric car at the lights? Turn the speaker volume up and down?? Then do 0 to 60 in 2 seconds sounding like a hair dryer. I'd rather get there in 6 sounding like a lion roaring! (Not that my 350D sounds much like a lion, or even a cat for that matter, but it does have a soul....It IS alive...)

G

Agree Graham, that's why the Audi SQ5 is farcical, false exhaust - WHY.