CALMING TRAFFIC - CAR MEETS SPA

Soothing, quiet and comfortable – Spencer Hart drives the first all-electric Mercedes, the EQC

The Mercedes-Benz EQC (from £65,720, mercedes-benz.co.uk) is the German marque’s first all-electric vehicle. With a modern design, quality interior and dynamic performance, Mercedes claims the EQC symbolises the start of a new mobility era at Daimler, but what really struck us was how calming driving this electric SUV is.

The exterior is striking. The extended roofline and low waistline make it appear incredibly sleek, while the standout feature, the large black-panel surface enclosing the headlamps and grille, is bordered at the top by an ultra-modern light beam.

Step inside the car and you’re surrounded by a high-quality interior. The driver-oriented cockpit is designed to resemble a high-end hi-fi amplifier, with a ribbed edge instrument panel and high-gloss air vents with keyshaped, rose-gold-coloured louvres.