Mercedes-Benz attended the 2019 New York International Auto Show with a special edition electric SUV that pays tribute to its past and looks ahead to its future, all at the same time. It’s called the Mercedes-Benz EQC 1886 Edition, and as you might imagine, the “1886” in its name is a direct nod to the year Karl Benz applied for a patent for a “vehicle powered by a gas engine.” The EQC 1886 Edition is, in many ways, unique in its celebration of the German automaker’s history and its plans for a new electric-powered era of models. Like most special edition models, the EQC 1886 Edition benefits from a bevy of aesthetic upgrades in its exterior and interior. There’s no mention of any power and performance upgrades, though it’s hard to expect one from a vehicle whose identity is less about actual performance and more about showcasing Mercedes’ electrified future. Mercedes has yet to reveal a price tag for the special edition EQC, but it will be available sometime in 2020.

Exterior

The Mercedes-Benz EQC 1886 Edition doesn’t look like a profound special edition model, at least when you compare it to other models that have been given the label. But for Mercedes, not only is it a special edition model, but it’s also a symbolic model that will usher in a new era of mobility for the German automaker. If for nothing else, there is something special about that.

Physically, the EQC 1886 Edition doesn’t stray away from its standard counterpart. It still looks the same, though a few additions were placed to give the electric crossover an identity worthy of its special edition name. It’s only available in one color — a shiny metallic high-tech silver finish — but it does feature a black panel vanity radiator grille with gloss black louvers and edges. This is a subtle departure from the chrome grilles and louvers on the standard model. The special edition EQC also sits on a set of 20-inch gloss black, 10-spoke wheels with white accents. It’s a different design from what we’ve seen from the standard EQC, though it’s unclear if this particular look is exclusive to the special edition model. Either way, the set of wheels is a natural fit to the aesthetics that Mercedes wants to show off.

The rest of the crossover is standard fit. From the overall look of the front to the side profile to the rear design. On its own, the Mercedes EQC isn’t as striking as I’d like it to be, but it has proven itself to be an acquired taste. There are sections that still could’ve been designed better — the shape of the headlamps look dated — but there are a number of design aspects that have gotten better to the eyes as time has passed, specifically the rear section and the aesthetic symmetry and balance cast by the stretched taillight bar, the horizontal body line that separates the bumper, the thin brake lines, and the chrome trim at the bottom. That's quality design work right there.

Now, you’re probably wondering about the significance of “1886” and how it connects to all of this. Seven months after filing that patent, Mercedes unveiled a three-wheeled vehicle in July 1886, ushering in an era for the automaker and gas-powered mobility in general. The idea behind the EQC 1886 Edition isn’t just about creating a special edition model — Mercedes is known for these First Edition models — but also bridging its past with its future. There’s something poetically romantic about that notion, and while the EQC 1886 Edition isn’t something that I’d describe as a poetic representation of Mercedes’ nostalgia, I can still see the message behind it.

Interior

The interior of the Mercedes EQC 1886 Edition is arguably the more interesting section, in part because there are more exclusive touches in the cabin to go with a very intriguing package that includes, among other things, air fragrance and ionization systems. Catch your attention yet?

Either way, the two-tone color is offset by white stitching, which adds another layer to its visual charm. The backrest also comes with an embroidered 1886 logo while the seats themselves feature a new design in MB-Tex vinyl and Dynamic microfiber. More embroidery can be found in the center console where “Edition 1886” proudly sits. As expected, the floor mats aren’t left out fun the fun, either, as “EQC” is embroidered in all of them.

The exclusive touches are nice, and they embrace the aesthetic language that Mercedes has created for the crossover. But the real treat in this section of the electric crossover is the Energizing Package, which, Mercedes claims, can literally energize you. Maybe there’s a little hyperbole on Merc’s part about that, but you can’t deny that the package was developed for anything else other than what it sounds like. According to Mercedes, the Energizing Package works with a number of the EQC’s onboard systems, including lighting and climate control. The goal of the system is to keep the driver alert while driving on the road. It sounds trivial — a cup of coffee should do the trick, right? — but even with all the ways we can be alert on the road, there are still instances where that attention wanes and, more often than not, that leads to possible accidents on the road. While the package doesn’t promise to eliminate that possibility, it does do its part, thanks to a series of computer-driven data that are processed by what Merc calls an “energizing coach.”

The system can also be personalized by integrating Garmin smart wearables. Hardly a surprise that the American tech company known for its pioneering GPS efforts is involved. The two companies have an existing partnership that covers many aspects of Mercedes production, specifically in the navigation front. It turns out; an integrated Garmin smart wearable provides the EQC 1886 Edition with individual health and well-being information. The Energizing Package is probably something that isn’t for everyone, but it’s nice to know that it’s there when you’re making a purchase of the EQC 1886 Edition.

The last interior bits of note include offerings like a Burmester Surround Sound System and power adjustable driver and front passenger seats with memory. Should you wish, you can also add special remote and navigation services.

Drivetrain

The Mercedes-Benz EQC 1886 Edition does not feature any changes to the powertrain and drivetrain, though that is to be expected. Making performance changes to the crossover’s battery pack doesn’t make sense at this point given how new the EQC still is. If Mercedes had done it, a bigger battery pack would have been needed, and the EQC is not yet at that stage where it can be tinkered with in that fashion. Soon enough, there could be updates in store for the electric crossover that bolster its power and performance capabilities. But that’s a topic for another day.

Together, the two power sources combine to produce an impressive 402 horsepower and an even more impressive 564 pound-feet of torque. Merck’s 4MATIC all-wheel drive ensures that all that power travels to all four wheels of the crossover, helping it sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The performance figure is impressive, too, even if it falls a bit short compared to what other same-segment electric crossovers have to offer.

The Jaguar I-Pace, for example, is powered by a bigger 90-kWh battery pack, and while it produces “only” 394 horsepower and 513 pound-feet of torque, it has an edge in acceleration time over the EQC, achieving a 0-60-mph time of just 4.5 seconds. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model X is an unfair comparison, especially if you use the P100D. Fortunately, Tesla now has the 90D siblings — the 90D and the P90D — that utilize a 90-kWh battery pack like the Jaguar I-Pace. 90D produces 259 horsepower from both the front and rear electric motor, and when properly applied, 60 mph can appear in as little as 4.8 seconds. The performance-oriented P90D, on the other hand, can tap 259 horsepower in the front and another 503 horsepower in the rear, enabling it to hit 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Throw in the vaunted Ludicrous Speed Upgrade, and you’re looking at a 0-to-60 time of just 3.2 seconds, which is as just as a Koenigsegg CCX. Welp.

For its part, the I-Pace can only do 240 miles in the U.S. while the Model X achieves only 257 miles and 250 miles in the 90D and P90D variants, respectively.

2020 Mercedes EQC drivetrain specifications

Pricing

The Mercedes-Benz EQC 1886 Edition will be available for purchase in 2020. That much we know already. Less known is the price tag for the special edition crossover. In fact, Mercedes hasn’t revealed the pricing details of the standard EQC, so there’s that to worry about it, too. That said, there have been rumors that the standard EQC will start at around $70,000. Given its perceived exclusivity, don’t be surprised if the EQC 1886 Edition fetches a hefty premium over its standard model counterpart. A price tag of around $80,000, perhaps? Nothing’s off the table at this point, so the best way to go about it is to prepare to pay a lot in the event that you want to buy one.

Final Thoughts

I like the idea behind the Mercedes EQC 1886 Edition. Given its penchant for releasing First Edition SEs in the past, a special edition EQC that launches at the same time as the model itself is completely in Mercedes’ wheelhouse. I’m not overly impressed with the special edition model itself, but I do find myself drawn into that Energizing Package. That’s something I’d like to check out, even if it doesn’t have to be in the EQC1886 Edition. I understand the charm behind the special edition, though. I wouldn’t even begrudge anyone who wants to buy one. It’s a good special edition to buy, especially if you’re the type who’s interested in the story behind its name. But it’s not for me. If I have to spend north of $70,000 to buy one, I’d put that money to good use buying something else. Nothing against the Mercedes EQC 1886 Edition, of course. It’s just not my cup of tea.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC.

Read our full review on the 2016 Mercedes‑Benz "Generation EQ" Concept.

Mercedes EQC vs Mercedes Generation EQ Concept

Mercedes EQC vs Tesla Model X