Mercedes is experiencing a boom in basic camping vehicles. The Sprinter is becoming increasingly popular as a rolling vehicle for mobile homes, and the T-Class comes to dealerships with a Brabus camping module. Now, the future of an electrically powered micro-mobile is being studied. The EQT Marco Polo Concept is a study that shows how four sleeping places and just as many seats, including a cooker and running water, can be accommodated over a length of around 4.9 meters. All this should come with the 45 kWh battery up to 300 kilometers.
The space available is largely shaped by what competitors like the VW Caddy California don’t have, at least ex works. A lifting roof. Firstly, this means standing height and secondly, a lying surface of 1.15 by 2 meters in the upper room. Below, cleverly designed furniture ensures variability. Drawer modules on the right-hand side of the vehicle offer storage space and form the basis for a fold-out table. If necessary, it also supports the bed on the ground floor, also 1.15 by 2 meters in size. For comparison: in the Caddy, the lying surface is only 1.07 meters wide. An induction plate and another gas burner, which can be reached through the tailgate that opens upwards, are used for cooking.
Like the announced EQT, the study is powered by a 90 kW electric motor. The top speed is limited to 140 km/h. The battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 40 minutes at a DC station with 80 kW, and a heat pump is responsible for air conditioning.
The installations appear solid, are formally very successful and of high quality. This will be reflected in the price when the production version is expected to hit the streets in the second half of 2023. The electric T-Class already costs 47,000 euros, furniture and a lifting roof should drive the price up by a good 10,000 euros. (Michael Kirchberger/cen)