Mercedes-Benz presents the EQS: a fully electric top model that is the absolute pinnacle in the automotive industry on various fronts. The EV sister model of the S-class, which should appeal to a new, somewhat more progressive customer base in the top segment.
Highlights
- Up to 770 km range
- Rear and four-wheel drive
- Up to 524 hp power for the time being
- With optional Hyperscreen
- Coming this summer
Mercedes-Benz is expanding its all-electric model range with the absolute top model, the EQS. The electrically powered equivalent of the S-class, but developed completely from the ground up as a new model. After all, the EQS sits on the EVA platform specially designed for electric models, on which the EQE and the SUV brothers of the EQS and EQE will later also appear. This offers space for various powertrains and configurations. In the case of the EQS, we are currently presented with two choices: the rear-wheel drive EQS 450+ and the four-wheel drive EQS 580 4Matic. Later, the EQS 350 will be added and an EQS 450 4Matic will also be released.
Drive and loading
The EQS 450+ has one electric motor on the rear axle, which produces 333 hp and 568 Nm of torque. This accelerates the EQS from a standstill to 100 km / h in 6.2 seconds and the top speed is 210 km / h. The EQS 580 4Matic is currently the most powerful EQS, it also has electric drive on the front axle and can address a system power of 524 hp and 855 Nm of torque. Good for an o-100 km / h sprint that is over in 4.3 seconds. Again, the top speed is 210 km / h. We consciously say ‘for the time being the most powerful EQS’, because it is known that Mercedes-AMG is also plunging into the EQS. Mercedes is already revealing that at a later time there will be at least a version with no less than 763 hp.
Both the EQS 450+ and the EQS 580 4Matic contain a battery pack with a capacity of 107.8 kWh, although according to previous reports for the EQS 450+ and probably other versions, a battery pack with a capacity of 90 kWh is also available. According to Mercedes-Benz, you should be able to travel up to 770 km (WLTP) with the EQS with a full battery. That applies at least to the 450+, COO Markus Schäfer explains to Techzle, since it is the lightest of the two, but also has the large battery pack. It is, Schäfer emphasizes, strongly dependent on the chosen options and wheels whether you get that. The range of the 580 4Matic is not yet known at the time of writing. The EQS can be recharged at the wallbox with 11 kW or optionally 22 kW. In the first case, it takes no more than 10 hours to get the battery full, with the 22 kW AC charger it is done within 5 hours. Fast charging is of course also possible, up to 200 kW charging capacity. Not as powerful as, for example, with the Porsche Taycan, but still good for an additional 280 to 300 km range in fifteen minutes of charging. In optimal conditions, the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent full in 31 minutes.
Naturally, the battery does not only charge when you hang the EQS on the plug, because it also charges while driving. The recovery is something Mercedes speaks with pride. In its most ‘aggressive’ mode, the EQS can brake to a standstill without using the brake pedal and can generate electricity with up to 290 kW of regenerative power. The EQS also applies this principle as much as possible when, for example, it automatically reduces speed or brakes for vehicles in front, when the adaptive cruise control is switched on.
Aalglad
The large driving range is not only due to the technology, but also to its slippery carriage. According to Mercedes, the EQS has a Cw value of only 0.20. Exceptionally low, making it the most sleek series production car in the world in one fell swoop. Mercedes-Benz is of course rightly proud of that record, but it is also not a superfluous luxury. The EQS is nearly 5.22 meters long, 1.93 m wide and 1.51 m high and weighs a whopping 2,480 (EQS 450+) to 2,585 kilos (EQS 580 4Matic) ready to ride. You bet that it will be a stately sight when the EQS comes in front. Nevertheless, the Mercedes should feel agile, partly thanks to the standard up to 4.5 degrees steering rear axle. Optionally, you can purchase a software update so that the steering angle of the rear axle is no less than 10 degrees.
In terms of appearance, the EQS resembles its more conventional counterpart, the S-class, in almost nothing. The low front with the closed ‘grille’ is a lot rounder in shape and follows the drop-shaped body completely. The ‘bonnet’ also slopes conspicuously to a large windshield, which almost follows the same line to the roof. There is actually no straight piece in the roofline, because from the peak it bends again very gradually towards the relatively blunt butt of the EQS. Furthermore, the normally recessed door handles in the body contribute to the aerodynamics. Anyone who walks up to the car with the key will notice that it will appear automatically. The automatically opening doors are optional. This opens the driver’s door when you approach the car. You can also open the other doors via the infotainment system. Incidentally, the depicted two-tone paint is certainly not standard for the EQS, but reserved for limited versions. It is reminiscent of the Mercedes-Maybach models and that is already a precursor, because Mercedes-Maybach also comes with its ‘own’ EQS.
Smart
Of course, the smarts don’t stop there. There are of course plenty of high-tech gadgets on the EQS, just like with the S-class, so we do a selection of the highlights. The basis of how the EQS prepares and adapts to the world around it lies in the enormous amount of sensors that the car has; up to 350 pieces. These constantly feed the brain of the EQS with information about cars and objects in the vicinity, but also about weather conditions, occupants and the condition of the driver. According to Mercedes, the EQS learns to respond better to known situations via artificial intelligence. This is also closely related to the personal settings that can be accessed by logging in with your personal account. For example, the EQS responds to previously driven routes, but also calls up personal wishes with regard to the seating position, color choices in the interior and the settings of the climate control.
Mercedes-Benz EQS Hyperscreen
All this information and the control of the EQS come together for the occupants in the already much discussed Hyperscreen. A huge ‘screen’ spread across the entire width of the dashboard, essentially consisting of two 12.3 inch screens and one centrally placed 17.7 inch screen. This includes the digital instruments, the latest MBUX infotainment system and various visual decoration. As already known, the Hyperscreen is optional. Those who prefer a more ‘traditional’ approach, can sign for a dashboard shown below that is more like that of the S-class. In it you will find a 12.8-inch touchscreen in the center and a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation in front of the steering wheel. Earlier we discussed the interior of the EQS in detail.
Other smart features include the optional Digital Light for the EQS fitted as standard with LED lighting. Among other things, this projects warnings and driving instructions on the road surface in front of you. As you would expect from a car in this class, the EQS is also able to largely take the driving off of the driver. With the optional Drive Pilot, the EQS can completely take over the driving, for example in traffic jams or slow-moving traffic. This is possible up to 60 km / h without having to pay attention at all, although this is currently reserved for Germany due to legislation. Mercedes says it is working on a higher degree of autonomous driving, although it is not yet known when and whether that will also be possible for the EQS.
Updates
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is the first Mercedes to get a more advanced option to install over-the-air updates. We’re not just talking about basic software updates, but about installing new more complex functions, such as the aforementioned optional increased steering angle for the rear axle. There will also be games available for the EQS, such as we know from Tesla, as well as additional driving functions and subscriptions to services. Mercedes-Benz also says it is making temporary offers available, so that owners can try out optional functions and then purchase them if necessary.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS will be launched this summer. Prices are not yet known, they will be announced in the run-up to the market launch.