Behind every great origin story is a dream and a path paved with
small achievements. For Carl Benz, that dream came to him in 1877 in the
form of a “vehicle without horses.”

Sparked by the thought, he toiled away for a year on a gas-driven,
two-stroke engine capable of revolutionizing transportation. It would
take months of failure and tinkering but, on New Year’s Eve in 1878, he
got his engine running for the first time — providing the fuel needed
to keep fighting for his vision.

Five years after that fateful
day, Benz launched a two-stroke “System Benz” engine fit for the market
but too big and heavy to be installed into any vehicle at the time. In
a move born out of necessity, he built an entirely new automobile fit
with a four-stroke engine. With his dream turned into a reality at last,
he braved the cold winter air and left Berlin’s German Imperial Patent
Office on 29 January 1886 with the birth certificate for a “gas-powered
vehicle” that changed the world forever.

One hundred thirty-three years after Patent Number 37435 brought
individual mobility to the auto industry, the ethos of the OG Motorwagen
has been stitched into the spirit (and seats) of the Mercedes-Benz EQC
Edition 1886. It’s a new dawn for the company and the concept of electric
mobility and, this time, we’re along for the ride.

The English theologian Thomas Fuller famously said: “It is always
darkest just before the Day dawneth.” Now, finally, the new day for electric has dawned with a little help from the legendary German automaker.

It’s fitting that Mercedes-Benz’s pioneering spirit would eventually turn to electric cars. As much as we’d like to say the experience of driving electric has been as exciting as it looked in science fiction films, the reality has been more “stranded on the Autobahn with no charge.” Not exactly a cute vibe for automobiles that should be the future of driving.

EQ and E-Mobility, Explained

The problem isn’t that electric is a snooze. Great strides
have been made to put these cars on the cutting edge of technology as
charging stations multiply like rabbits around the world. But, somewhere
along the way, they’ve lost an essential ingredient: joy. It’s a problem
that’s been at the forefront of Mercedes-Benz’s foray into electric and
now, two words are helping bring joy back to the art of the joyride in
their fully electric EQC model: Electric Intelligence.

No, not intelligence
in the sentient “talking cars in a sleepy town off Route 66” kind of way.
With the launch of the all-electric EQC as the pioneer of the future Mercedes-Benz EQ vehicle portfolio, the automaker is ushering in a new era.

EQ is an ecosystem
of services designed to bring intelligence to electromobility that goes
far beyond driving.

Tech, Simplified

We live in a weird, wild world these days and if we’ve learned anything, it’s that technology should be as easy, quick, and convenient as possible.
That’s why the EQC is packed with a range of quick charging options
for home and travel; a voice-controlled AI assistant for playing your
throwback 90s rap playlist; the MBUX Augmented Reality system for navigating
with gestures like a true Jedi; and even a new feature on the ‘Mercedes me’ app to check the charge over
a morning cup of coffee (or from bed for the late-risers).

The Sound of Silence

That’s not even half of the EQC services packed into the Swiss Army Knife of electric cars. Beyond all the gizmos, gadgets, and renowned Mercedes-Benz quality, one of the standout features feels tailor-made for our weary souls: silence.

It’s a sensation that has become a precious commodity in a world that gets noisier by the day and within the EQC’s spacious cabin, there’s enough of it to fill a monastery. Like every inch of the car, the meditative calm is carefully constructed. Insulation meant to keep out the roar of the road and foam layered into the tires fights back against the sort of noise that studies have shown overwhelmingly contributes to fatigue. All that’s left is the sound of silence and the open road.

The Future of Driving

Of course, the goal of the EQC wasn’t just to add “silence” to Mercedes-Benz’s reputation for security, quality, and comfort; though it does certainly help with carve out time for morning meditation on the commute. Mercedes-Benz’s vision of a new dawn goes beyond meditative cabins and an ecosystem of smart technology. It’s about turning the EQC into a worthy vessel for finding your passion — be it a walk in the woods or, perhaps, a winding drive along the cliffs to go birdwatching.

Find Your Passion

This isn’t a stealth birding propaganda film (though there are
some very cool birding clubs around). Fit with an ecosystem of electric-mobility services and the quietest cabin and ride around, it doesn’t matter if you’re a lifelong birder or simply want to discover what drives you — pun intended. Mercedes-Benz’s EQ portfolio is making electric enjoyable again so you can find your passion in silence and style.

Ready to enjoy electric? Head to the EQC website for more information about the Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC Edition 1886 and the Mercedes-Benz EQ brand.