SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: Seven-seat Mercedes-Benz EQB unveiled

Mercedes-Benz has pulled the drapes off a new pure-electric version of the Mercedes-Benz GLB SUV ahead of its official unveiling at the Shanghai motor show.

Called the Mercedes-Benz EQB, the model revealed over the weekend is claimed to cater exclusively for the Chinese market, but in Shanghai officials confirmed a version created for European buyers would also be on sale later in 2021.

An Australian launch is anticipated in 2022.

Back in China, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz EQB remains heavily based on the EQA already on sale in Europe, with base models introduced with a 66.5kWh lithium-ion battery and a single 200kW electric motor.

Versions with bigger batteries and more powerful dual motors have also been confirmed.

In Europe the upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4MATIC will come with a 419km range, with a 'long-range' version confirmed to be in the pipeline.

As standard, the EQB gets an 11kW onboard charger as standard, with the battery-powered SUV compatible with 100kW DC fast-chargers.

Like the EQA, upfront the EQB gets an EQ black panel in place of the GLB's grille, with a full-width LED daylight running lamp on the leading edge of the bonnet.

Other changes over the combustion-powered GLB include new aerodynamically-enhanced 20-inch alloy rims and a rear-end with a full-width LED light bar.

Inside, the EQB carries unique colour and trim highlights, but otherwise the cabin design is almost identical to the GLB.

That said, the standard MBUX infotainment system features navigation with AI that takes into account charging stops, topography and weather to calculate any adverse changes to the range.

Measuring in at 4684mm long, 1834mm wide and standing 1667mm tall, the EQB was unveiled over the same weekend Volkswagen Group revealed its seven-seat Volkswagen ID.6 Crozz SUV-coupe and ID.6 X SUV.

The ID.6 is considerably longer (+192mm), a bit wider (+14mm) and taller (+13mm), but both are expected to attract similar buyers.

Set to be launched in Europe towards the end of 2021, there's no firm word yet on when the EQB will touch down in Australia, but it could be as soon as early 2022.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz EQA, meanwhile, is set to touch down here in the middle of this year, with pricing to begin at $76,800 (plus ORCs) for the EQA 250.