Before this week, when you Googled “EQC”, the first results were for the Earthquake Commission. Aside from upping the search ranking for its first all-electric SUV, Mercedes-Benz will be hoping that the launch of its own EQC will produce a similarly seismic impact.
Merc is the latest company to enter the electric SUV arms race, something that looks set to reach full velocity inside the next year, with major players such as Audi, BMW and Volvo also zeroing in on zero-emissions sports-utility vehicles.
Fittingly, for the EQC's world premiere, we’re in Stockholm, which habitually occupies the Top 10 rankings of the greenest cities in the world, and was even the inaugural European Green Capital in 2010. Its expansive forests and pristine waterways certainly don't deserve to be sullied by the ceaseless burning of fossil fuels.
It's in such a landscape, on Varmdo – one of 14 islands that make up the archipelago on which the Swedish capital sits – that the EQC has its official unveiling. It's about half an hour from central Stockholm, but in a move slightly at odds with the electric intent of its latest charge, Mercedes takes our group to the site on a sizeable motorboat.
Our first impressions of the crossover SUV beneath the just-removed car covers? Well, it doesn’t look as remarkable as its futuristic Concept EQ version, nor indeed as beautiful as direct competitors such as Tesla’s otherworldly Model X or the Jaguar I-Pace – the latter of which is the best new car I have driven this year, so far.
But the landscape is changing. Until now, the desirability of electric vehicles has almost transcended category – put simply, there have barely been enough options to pick and choose within an individual segment. To select an EV as your daily driver was to make a statement of green intent across the board, rather than specifying: “I need a car to fit my family of five.”
So the potential of a carmaker on the scale of Mercedes entering the electric market, after 130 years of producing cars with combustion engines, shouldn't be underestimated. After all, the German giant sold 2.3 million cars around the world last year, and plans to have seven fully electric models in total by 2022, with the EQC's successor already about to start development. If it could turn even 10 per cent of its total annual sales into EV purchases, in one year, it would be in the ballpark of the number of cars Tesla has sold in its entire history. Electric-car production is about to hit the mass market.
The nearest petrol equivalent to the EQC is the GLC, although this is no cut-and-shut case of lobbing a battery into an existing internal-combustion car. This is the first of many vehicles in the overall range, EQ, which will feature SUVs and saloons. EQ, we are repeatedly told to somewhat befuddled looks, stands for “electric intelligence” – it's a riff on IQ, clearly, although the smartness of it all appears a little lost in translation.
Quietly, Mercedes has been doing the groundwork for this for more than a decade, via parent company Daimler, which also runs the Smart brand – pocket-sized city car the Fortwo Electric Vehicle began development in 2006.
While that car had a range of about 135 kilometres, though, the EQC is an entirely different proposition, with a claimed range of “more than 450km” from its 80kWh battery. Although Merc was a little evasive when quizzed on the exact details of compatible charging stations in the UAE, it is equipped for public charging, with a projected charing time of from 10 to 80 per cent full in less than 40 minutes. It also comes with a wall box that can be installed at your home for overnight juice refills, with about 10 to 11 hours required to reach capacity. The Mercedes ME app is due to offer seamless payment options, too, as well as planning your routes, allowing for any necessary charging stops along the way, plus the sweat-avoiding ability to pre-set your climate control – something of a lifesaver in the hottest UAE weather extremes.
There is also, as you might expect, plenty of clever technology at work within the car. Semi-autonomous elements ensure, for example, that in a tailback, the EQC will keep itself off-centre to leave room for the emergency services to pass.
The lithium-ion battery, which is floor-mounted below the passenger compartment and made up of 384 cells in six modules, powers motors on both axles for all-wheel drive that has intelligent torque distribution. The battery is protected from impacts, water and dust, and the high-voltage system will shut down in milliseconds in the event of a crash.
With controls behind the steering wheel, there are five modes for regenerative driving, to pump power back into the battery without hooking it up to a charger, with “D--” (or D minus minus) allowing for one-pedal driving a la forerunners such as the Nissan Leaf. Ease off the accelerator and the car immediately brakes, with the friction generated being used to recharge the battery.
Merc is confident in its power source: the EQC's battery will come with an eight-year/160,000km warranty, and it fully expects the battery to live longer than that.
As usual with EVs, the torque available is both instantaneous and impressively high: 765Nm, in this case. To equal that in a petrol Mercedes, you would have to invest in a high-end, high-performance AMG model. The other vital statistics are similarly capable: 0-to-100kph in 5.1 seconds, 408hp and a limited top speed of 180kph.
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Despite our initially underwhelmed verdict on the exterior visual impact, a handful of styling innovations do grab the attention, most notably the glowing Mercedes star up front, “eyebrow” day-running lights at the top of the main headlamps, and the futuristic light bar that extends across the entire width of the boot.
The interior is suitably swish, with the expansive dash display deliberately contrasted by knowingly analogue touches, such as air vents inspired by circuit boards. In a further environmental effort, recycled textiles are used in the seat fabric.
With voice controls that will recognise different occupants of the car, Merc also sees the EQC as the first step towards a society that shares cars rather than individually owns them.
Although precise pricing and on-sale dates are yet to be confirmed, expect to see the EQC in the UAE by mid-to-late 2019. By that time, it will have added hot-weather testing in Dubai to already completed winter exploits in northern Sweden and a plethora of other environmental extremes around the world. Also by that juncture, Mercedes, already the pre-eminent force in the gas-guzzling Formula One World Championship, will have thrown its weight behind electric racing's top series, Formula E.
As one Merc executive said at the EQC launch of Tesla's trailblazing work in the EV world: “A snowball has been thrown and an avalanche is coming down the mountain.” A decade ago, that might have summed up an electric SUV's relevance to the UAE. Now, however, the EQC appears to be heralding a movement that seems set to change our roads for the better – and not in the far-distant future, either.
The competition
The market for electric SUVs is about to become considerably more crowded. Here is what the Mercedes EQC is up against:
Audi e-tron
The public bow for this full-size SUV is hot on the heels of the EQC's, with the e-tron's unveiling in San Francisco in mid-September.
BMW iX3
The Concept iX3 was presented for the first time at the Auto China 2018 show in Beijing in April. The real thing isn't due until 2020, but BMW is already taking orders in Germany.
Hyundai Kona Electric
Already on sale in other locations around the world, the Kona Electric is a futuristic update of the existing SUV is set to be wallet-friendly – perhaps as little as Dh150,000, based on global price tags.
Jaguar I-Pace
The Jaguar I-Pace, which makes it debut this year, has earned rave reviews and has beaten the majority of its rivals to market.
Tesla Model X
The falcon-doored Model X led the way for electric SUVs when it was launched in 2015 and, alongside the Model S saloon, has become one of Elon Musk's motoring success stories.
Volvo XC40
The full-electric incarnation of Volvo's award-winning compact SUV was confirmed a couple of months ago, and it has already been preceded by a plug-in hybrid version, pictured.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
MATCH INFO
Norwich City 1 (Cantwell 75') Manchester United 2 (Aghalo 51' 118') After extra time.
Man of the match Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
Aston martin DBX specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Top speed: 291kph
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: Q2, 2020
Company%20profile
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai
Gulf Under 19
Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy
Pool B – British School Al Khubairat, Bahrain Colts, Jumeirah College Lions, Dubai English Speaking School 2
Pool C - Dubai College A, Dubai Sharks, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Yasmina
Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The Internet
Hive Mind
four stars
