The Mercedes-Benz EQC, the company’s first EV built from the ground up, is getting ready for its debut set for next year. Meanwhile, the SUV, set to rival Tesla’s Model X, the Jaguar’s I-Pace and Audi’s E-tron, is testing at the Nurburgring.

Following the tests in Germany, in the Black Forest Mountains, in Italy and in Spain, through cold and hot, the EQC has returned home for further examinations. The prototype is being put through its paces along the Nurburgring race track. The car is undergoing tests that focus on handling and reliability. The testing session has been conducted by chief engineer of the EQC project, Michael Keltz.

Two electric motors on the front axle and on the rear one for a total output of 300 kW and a battery of 70 kWh provide an electric range of up to 500 kilometers (310 miles). The carmaker grants the EV with a run from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than five seconds.

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The EQC was previewed by the concept with the same designation two years ago. Since then, approximately 200 prototypes have been built and all the data shall be collected for the optimum settings.

The electric SUV is set to get the high-end Artificial Intelligence-based MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) system.