Making its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ Concept debuts the three-pointed star’s new electric mobility brand, EQ.

The Generation EQ Concept not only is the first vehicle from Mercedes-Benz to wear the EQ brand, but debuts an all new modular platform architecture for electric-vehicles that will underpin several new zero-emission models to come in the near future.

Taking a competitive stance toward Audi with their recent Quattro Concept and even the Tesla Model X, the Generation EQ is a luxury crossover SUV that is near production intent with its detailing and its underlying hardware.

The concept’s styling foretells the unique signatures of the EQ brand with its glazed black panel front grill with an illuminated Mercedes star. Illuminated LED optical fibers create an electric blue surround to the grill.

Tail lamps continue the theme of the black panel offering a variety of lighting mods including blue, red and amber. These are flourishes for for a concept car as this would not be legal in most places, though do set the design signature well.

The biggest news the Generation EQ brings is in what motivates it. An all-new modular platform architecture features two electric motors at both the front and rear axles, each able to power a single wheel for ultimate torque vectoring all-wheel drive.

The maximum power configuration offers up to 400 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque that can move it from 0-62 mph in about 5 seconds. While it will be a heavy vehicle, the structure will be built of a mixture of aluminum, steel and carbon fiber for the lightest weight possible.

Under the floor similar to the Tesla design is a large flat Lithium-ion battery pack at just over 70 kWh. Mercedes-Benz says it can provide a range of up to 310 miles in this configuration. The new platform is extremely scalable to accommodate crossovers, sedans, coupes and even cabriolet models upon variable wheelbases, track widths and overall length metrics.

Inside, drivers will find what’s expected with modern mobility, a continuation of futurist design and ultimate technology behind the glass. The cockpit is entirely created with touch controls, no conventional knobs or switches to be found.

The floating wide-screen display while very similar to the format seen in the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a signature design for EQ, offering infinite customization of content by the driver depending on their needs of driving metrics, connectivity or entertainment.

Generation EQ also showcases what will be the ultimate in driver assistance systems and autonomous driving technology that we will expect by the time it makes it to market.

Timing hasn’t been given yet for the first production models from the EQ brand, but like Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche who are also fast at work on their own high-end electric cars it’s likely to be within the next two to three years.