The Mercedes EQA baby electric SUV is only 18 months old and still isn’t available in North America, but the R&D team is busy finessing a facelifted version.

We spotted the updated EQA undergoing hot weather testing in June, and now the development crew has moved north to subject the smallest car in the EQ line to some cold weather challenges.

The EQA isn’t based on a dedicated EV platform, unlike the EQE and EQS sedan and SUV models. Instead, it rides on an adapted version of the same architecture found in the combustion-powered GLA. The metal bodywork in both versions is identical, but the electric crossover is marked out by its smooth EQ grille and horizontal strip of lights running across the trunk lid.

This pre-production car’s fairly substantial front disguise doesn’t tell us exactly what Mercedes has in store for the grille, but one possibility is that it plans to add the star-motif design seen on some electric MB concepts, and since made available as an option on cars like the EQS flagship sedan.

Related: 2024 Mercedes Baby EQ Sedan Wants A Slice Of The Tesla Model 3’s Pie

Changes at the back will be limited to a new design of the taillight clusters, though the physical dimensions of the lamp units won’t change. The prototype in our summer spy shots only had its grille covered and retained the rear end of the current car. But this latest test machine has a fuller front disguise and a bikini across the back telling us that the rear lights below are the final designs.

Also visible on the back of this car are “EQA350” and “4Matic” badges revealing that it’s running the most powerful drivetrain combination available in the baby SUV lineup. The current range kicks off with a 185 hp (188 PS), single-motor, front-wheel drive EQA250, then moves up to a version of the same with a bigger battery, badged EQA250+. Buyers looking for more performance and the security of all-wheel drive also have the option of the 222 hp (225 PS) EQA300 or 284 hp (288 PS) EQA350.

We’re expecting this facelifted car to appear in Europe during 2023 for the 2024 model year, but there’s still no solid guarantee that it will come to North America.

Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test
Facelifted Mercedes EQA Prototype Wears Camo Balaclava For Icy Winter Test

Image Credits: Andreas Mau/CarPix for CarScoops