THE Mercedes-Benz EQS , the new electric standard-bearer of the German brand, has just been presented to the world, after many weeks of waiting, where the manufacturer from Stuttgart was whetting our “appetite” with the disclosure of information that allowed us to know, little by little. , this unprecedented model.
Mercedes-Benz describes it as the first luxury electric car and when we started to see the “menu” that the German brand prepared, we quickly understood the reason for this strong statement.
With a shape we first saw at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, in the form of a prototype (Vision EQS), the Mercedes-Benz EQS is based on two styling philosophies — Sensual Purity and Progressive Luxury — that translate into fluid lines , sculpted surfaces, smooth transitions and reduced joints.
At the front, the panel (there is no grille) that joins the headlamps – also linked by a narrow band of light – stands out, filled with a pattern derived from the iconic star of the Stuttgart brand, registered as a trademark in 1911.
Optionally, you can decorate this black panel with a three-dimensional star pattern, for an even more striking visual signature.
The most aerodynamic Mercedes ever
The profile of the Mercedes-Benz EQS is characterized by being of the "cab-forward" type (passenger cabin in forward position), where the cabin volume is defined by an arc line ("one-bow", or "one bow" , according to the brand's designers), which sees the pillars at the ends (“A” and “D”) extend up to and over the axles (front and rear).
All of this contributes for the EQS to present a distinct look, without creases and… aerodynamic. With a Cx of just 0.20 (achieved with 19″ AMG wheels and in Sport driving mode), this is the most aerodynamic production model available today. Out of curiosity, the renewed Tesla Model S has a record of 0.208.
To make this design possible, the dedicated platform for electric vehicles on which EQS is based, the EVA, contributed greatly.
luxury interior
The absence of a combustion engine at the front and the placement of the battery between the generous wheelbase allows the wheels to “push” closer to the corners of the body, resulting in shorter front and rear sections.
This has a very positive impact on the overall shape of the vehicle and maximizes the space dedicated to the five occupants and the load space: the luggage compartment offers 610 liters of capacity, which can be “stretched” up to 1770 liters with the rear seats folded down.
At the back, as it is a dedicated tram platform, there is no transmission tunnel and this works wonders for anyone traveling in the center of the rear seat. At the front, a raised center console separates the two seats.
All in all, the EQS manages to offer more space than its combustion equivalent, the new S-Class (W223), despite being slightly shorter.
However, as you would expect, being spacious is not enough to conquer a place at the top of the Mercedes-Benz electric range, but when it is necessary to “draw” trump cards, this EQS “disarms” any of the models with the EQ signature.
141 cm of screen. What abuse!
EQS debuts the MBUX Hyperscreen, a visual solution based on three OLED screens that form an uninterrupted panel measuring 141 cm in width. You've never seen anything like it.
With an eight-core processor and 24GB of RAM, the MBUX Hyperscreen promises unprecedented computing power and claims to be the smartest screen ever mounted in a car.
Discover all the secrets of Hyperscreen in the interview we conducted with Sajjad Khan, Technical Director (CTO or Chief Technology Officer) of Daimler:
The MBUX Hyperscreen will only be offered as an option, since as standard the EQS will actually have a more sober dashboard as standard, in everything similar to what we found in the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
automatic doors
Also available as an option — but no less impressive... — are the automatic opening doors at the front and rear, allowing for an even greater increase in driver and occupant comfort.
When the driver approaches the car, the door handles “show themselves” and as they get closer, the door on their side opens automatically. Inside the cabin, and using the MBUX system, the driver is also able to automatically open the rear doors.
An all-in-one capsule
The Mercedes-Benz EQS promises extremely high levels of ride comfort and acoustics, promising to guarantee the well-being of all occupants.
In this regard, even the quality of the indoor air will be controlled, as the EQS can be equipped with an optional HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter that prevents 99.65% of micro-particles, fine dust and pollens from entering the cabin. .
Mercedes also guarantees that this EQS will be a distinct “acoustic experience”, capable of generating several different sounds, according to our driving style — a topic we've also covered before:
Autonomous mode up to 60 km/h
With the Drive Pilot system (optional), the EQS is able to drive autonomously up to a speed of 60 km/h in dense traffic lines or in congestion on suitable motorway sections, although the latter option is only initially available in the Germany.
In addition to this, the EQS has the most recent driving aid systems from the German brand, and the Attention Assist system is one of the biggest innovations. It is able to analyze the driver's eye movements and detect if there are signs of tiredness that show the driver is about to fall asleep.
And autonomy?
There is no lack of reasons that help justify the fact that Mercedes classifies it as the first luxury electric car in the world. But because it is an electric, the autonomy also needs to be at the same level. And it is… if it is!
The energy required will be guaranteed by two 400 V batteries: 90 kWh or 107.8 kWh, which allow it to reach a maximum autonomy of up to 770 km (WLTP). The battery is guaranteed for 10 years or 250,000 km.
Equipped with liquid cooling, they can be pre-heated or cooled before or during the journey, all to ensure that they arrive at a fast loading station at the optimum operating temperature at all times.
There is also an energy regeneration system with several modes whose intensity can be adjusted through two switches placed behind the steering wheel. Get to know the EQS loading in more detail:
More powerful version has 523 hp
As Mercedes-Benz had already made known to us, the EQS is available in two versions, one with rear-wheel drive and only one engine (EQS 450+) and the other with all-wheel drive and two engines (EQS 580 4MATIC). For later, an even more powerful sports version is expected, bearing the AMG imprint.
Starting with the EQS 450+, it has 333 hp (245 kW) and 568 Nm, with consumption between 16 kWh/100 km and 19.1 kWh/100 km.
The more powerful EQS 580 4MATIC delivers 523 hp (385 kW), courtesy of a 255 kW (347 hp) engine at the rear and a 135 kW (184 hp) engine at the front. As for consumption, these range between 15.7 kWh/100 km and 20.4 kWh/100 km.
In both versions, the top speed is limited to 210 km/h. As for the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the EQS 450+ needs 6.2s to complete it, while the more powerful EQS 580 4MATIC does the same exercise in just 4.3s.
When arrives?
The EQS will be produced at Mercedes-Benz's “Factory 56” in Sindelfingen, Germany, where the S-Class is built.
It is only known that the commercial debut will be made with a special launch edition, called Edition One, which will have an exclusive two-color painting and will be limited to just 50 copies — precisely the one you can see in the images.