Mercedes EQC vs W124 Mercedes E-class: Hello Grandpa – Feature

REWIND, REWIND

Fortunately, we have now simply the automotive to maintain the EQC trustworthy. L S Ravi’s mint 1996 E220. The automotive is in such good situation, every little thing works and appears precisely as it’s meant to. Take a fast drive and it feels prefer it has simply rolled out of the Mercedes-Benz dealership. That is partly because of the truth that this E220 has completed simply 23,500km because it was made again in 1996, and it nonetheless feels tight, new and sparingly used.

The W124 additionally isn’t simply any previous Mercedes. It’s particular for a few causes. For one, it’s the automotive that began the Mercedes journey in India. After which there’s the truth that it’s usually thought of to be the final of the Mercs constructed with out the affect of cost-cutting and price accountants on high quality ranges. Earlier than we actually get going from one to the opposite, nonetheless, let’s return …. manner again.

The 12 months is 1995. Whereas the world has moved on to a new-gen E-class, Mercedes decides to begin its India innings with the previous-gen W124. Sure, the W124 will go down within the annals of automotive historical past as an iconic Merc, however the late introduction of the automotive into the Indian market doesn’t precisely go down effectively with Indian luxurious prospects.

Certain, the W124, priced at Rs 22.5 lakh for the E220 petrol (Rs 23.45 lakh for the E250 diesel) is lots of automotive for the cash, and it additionally provides a quantum leap in capacity over the rest available in the market on the time. Most Indian patrons, ate up a eating regimen of historic vehicles, nonetheless, maintain again; they solely need the “newest”, and “new”. And who can blame them.

This isn’t a mistake Mercedes made ever once more in India. Removed from it, Merc is so fast on the draw most often, it lays declare to the luxurious automotive market in India. Wish to know who has the widest mannequin vary in India; easy it’s both Mercedes or Maruti. Examine for your self.

Mercedes can be the primary to deliver its luxurious electrical SUV to the market. Based mostly on the GLC SUV, the EQC is the German automaker’s first EV providing. Query is, simply how a lot conventional Mercedes-Benz DNA is submerged beneath the fashionable pores and skin?

Let’s get began. First up, a refresher course within the W124. Flip the old school key within the door lock and pull on these chunky handles and what greets you is a heavy – close to vault-like – door. I’m positive you’ve heard of how over-engineered German vehicles of the 90s had been; they weren’t kidding. The doorways shut with a powerful thud after which the moment you shut the world outdoors, you’re overtaken by an amazing sensation of being capsuled in one thing strong.

Then there’s that feeling of refinement. Except you have got your foot flat to the ground, the loudest noise you hear is the blower, relying on how far round you’ve set the fan controls. What you additionally expertise when behind the wheel is a way of time journey; and the reminiscences come flooding again, thick and quick. I even subconsciously begin buzzing music from the period.

ZAP TO THE FUTURE

Again to the current and the EQC takes refinement to an all-new degree. Open the doorways up and though they don’t really feel as figuratively vault-like as on the W124, they aren’t too far off both. Being an electrical automobile, the sense of refinement is a number of notches greater. In reality, this might very effectively be probably the most refined Mercedes-Benz ever! No noise and vibration filters in. And even wind, street and tyre noises are muted, proof that the engineers at Merc nonetheless can isolate and insulate higher than anybody round.

Heaps extra color and bling right here, however the strong construct and prime quality shines by means of.

Subsequent, let’s transfer to consolation. Now, that is the place these two vehicles deal with issues in another way however arrive on the identical goal. The EQC, with its barely ‘stiffer’ and extra supportive seats, is clearly the one which feels much less plush. That doesn’t imply the EQC is any much less comfy. Whereas the seats may not allow you to sink into them, or help you wallow in consolation, like they do on the W124, what you do get is infinitely extra assist. The contours, lateral assist and shoulder assist are beautifully configured.

Factor is, for its time, the seats on the W124 had been thought of more durable or stiffer than different related vehicles. After which there’s the truth that this W124 had softer material seats. In reality, all W124s offered in India got here with a material inside as commonplace. Leather-based – both gray or black – was an non-obligatory additional. And on the subject of extras, the opposite additional, imagine it or not, had been the alloy wheels!

Cushioning on the W124 is softer and with the extra supple journey, total consolation is huge.

The powerful construct on the within of the EQC will not be as overt and in your face. Whereas there clearly is extra flash, bling, and iridescent neon (shock, horror) on the within, look nearer and you’ll’t miss the strong construction of the sprint. The central console feels strong sufficient to face on, though we wouldn’t advocate it, you’ll be able to thump the highest of the vents with out the sprint feeling worse for put on, after which even the door pads with their ribs really feel strong.

AND FLIP BACK AGAIN

The W124 is legend on the subject of construct. Much more robustly put collectively than the EQC, and squeak- and rattle-free even in its dotage, it feels just like the sprint is hewn from a strong trunk. After which there are the buttons and dials that, when used, give the impression they’re manufactured from polished stone. Clearly, one of the crucial vivid and memorable tactile sensations round; one you file away.

No scarcity of street presence when the EQC 400 and the E220 roll down the streets.

In the case of journey high quality, as anticipated, it’s the W124 that rides in a extra plush method. A part of that is all the way down to the truth that the automotive runs a set of 15-inch wheels and the massive sidewalls soak up a good quantity of the impacts. The journey is as supple as your yoga teacher, there aren’t any sharp intrusions, even over unhealthy patches, after which what actually will get you is that the W124 doesn’t toss you round both. Within the 90s, Mercedes had no actual intention of constructing their vehicles nook arduous or quick. All their audience needed was a snug automotive that gave them a luxurious journey and this method actually exhibits by means of.

Puny 15-inch wheels imply the E220 can run on tyres with a bigger sidewall.

On its ice-cool 20-inch wheels, the EQC can’t come shut if you take a look at isolation or serenity. However that supple Merc setup and extra method to journey high quality; it’s evident. Even now, journey high quality clearly is the main dynamic goal, with grip and dealing with not as a lot of a precedence. The journey continues to be an space of big focus.

The EQC rides on 20-inch wheels with cool blue accents.

And so, we come to the final one – street presence. Now, whereas the EQC is predicated on the GLC, put the 2 subsequent to one another and there’s no contest on the subject of the best way the EV appears. Not solely are the huge entrance grille and techy headlamps spectacular as standalone design bits, additionally they go a great distance into giving it a definite identification. Whereas the W124 can’t presumably evaluate by way of street presence, its assured sq. shoulders and powerful traces give it immense energy and longevity. There’s simply one thing concerning the regal air of an older massive Benz.

TEST REPORT

Whereas the EQC is an SUV, the low-set battery pack does have an effect on its floor clearance.

So, to reply our authentic query, does the EQC have sufficient Mercedes-Benz DNA in it? The reply is a powerful sure. Not solely does it have some absolute cutting-edge tech that helps that slick design, it additionally has all of the must-have Merc traits. The give attention to refinement, the comfort-oriented suspension setup, the strong interiors, and the plush seats – it clearly is, even with out the star, recognisable as a Mercedes. And that, at the present time of quick altering tech, each inside and beneath the hood, is a large achievement.

BEGINNINGS OF THE STAR IN INDIA

Historic knowledge tells us that the primary vehicle to ever make it to Indian shores was the truth is, a Benz Viktoria within the 12 months 1897.

By the way, the automotive was initially ordered to Delhi and has since been misplaced to historical past. Whereas Mercedes did have dealerships and distributors in India as early because the Twenties, the automaker solely formally got here to India in 1994 in partnership with what was then Telco and at present is Tata Motors.

What ensued was the launch of the made-in-India Mercedes-Benz E-class in 1996, the W124 collection, the one you see on these pages. The whole variety of vehicles offered in 1996 was simply 1,783 items, and 592 items had been offered in 1997 – a complete of two,375 items.

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