Mercedes-Benz EQ C pure-electric SUV teased

Mercedes-Benz has teased its first picture of its forthcoming EQ C SUV ahead of its official unveiling on September 4.

The single image, posted overnight on its social media channels, gives us our first glimpse of the undisguised, production-ready pure-electric SUV, with what appears to be an LED daytime running light bar that will stretch from headlamp to headlamp, across the grille.

Speaking of the grille, unlike the original 2016 Pairs motor show car, the EQ sub-brand's first offering will featuring a conventional opening, rather than the original concept's blanked out number.

Mercedes has yet to confirm the exact specification for what's touted to be its breakthrough pure-electric vehicle, but it's thought the entry level will come with a 70kWh lithium ion battery that will provide for a range of around 500km. Mercedes-Benz Australia has previously hinted to motoring.com.au that we won't necessarily see this the bargain-basement EQ C in the local market.

Based on the German car maker's all-new electric-car architecture, which is modular and will underpin all future EQ models, a larger more powerful battery will also be offered.

It's thought entry-level EQ C variants will come with rear-wheel drive, while more powerful variants will mount an electric motor on each axle providing for all-wheel drive.

This should enable the high performance twin-motor version, that are expected to generate 300kW and 700Nm to reach 100km/h in less than 5.0 seconds – 0.2sec slower than the Jaguar I-PACE.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but Mercedes is rumoured to sell the EQ C from around $117,000 for the entry-level single motor version when the battery powered SUV goes on sale in 2019.