THE Mercedes-Benz EQS , the new electric flagship of the German brand, will be fully unveiled in a few weeks, but it has not been an impediment to know in advance several features of the unprecedented model.
After the concept was unveiled in 2019, we had the opportunity to drive it in early 2020 and learned that EQS will debut the MBUX Hyperscreen, a seemingly uninterrupted giant screen measuring 141 cm wide (it's actually three OLED screens). Now we can see it integrated into the production model.
Hyperscreen will, however, be an optional item on the new EQS, with Mercedes-Benz also taking the opportunity to show the interior that will come as standard in its new model (see images below), which adopts a layout identical to the one that we saw in the S-Class (W223).
141cm wide, 8-core processor, 24GB of RAM and a sci-fi movie look is what MBUX Hyperscreen has to offer, along with promised improved usability.
In the new interior, in addition to the Hyperscreen's visual impact we can see a steering wheel identical to the S-Class, a raised center console separating the two front seats, but with an empty space below it (there is no transmission tunnel) and space for five occupants.
The new Mercedes-Benz EQS promises to be more spacious than the S-Class, a consequence of the dedicated EVA platform for electric vehicles on which it is based. The absence of a combustion engine at the front and battery placement between the generous wheelbase allows the wheels to “push” closer to the corners of the body, resulting in shorter front and rear sections, maximizing the space devoted to occupants.
The most aerodynamic of all Mercedes
In other words, the architecture of the EQS translates into an exterior design of different proportions from those seen in the traditional S-Class. The profile of the Mercedes-Benz EQS is characterized by being of the "cab-forward" type (passenger cabin in forward position), where the volume of the cabin is defined by an arched line (“one-bow”, or “an arch”, 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).
The fluid-line electric saloon also promises to be the model with the lowest Cx (aerodynamic resistance coefficient) among all Mercedes-Benz production models. With a Cx of just 0.20 (achieved with the 19″ AMG wheels and in Sport driving mode), the EQS manages to improve the registration of the revamped Tesla Model S (0.208) as well as the Lucid Air (0.21) — the most direct rivals of the German proposal.
Although we still can't see it in its entirety, Mercedes-Benz says that the EQS's exterior appearance will be characterized by the absence of creases and a reduction in lines with smooth transitions between all parts. A unique luminous signature is also to be expected, with three points of light joined by a luminous band. Also behind there will be a luminous band joining the two optics.
Absolute silence? Not really
Attention to the well-being of the occupants could not but be excellent. Not only can you expect high levels of ride comfort and acoustics, the indoor air quality promises to be superior to that of the outdoor air. The new Mercedes-Benz EQS can be equipped with a large HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, with an approximate area of an A2 leaf (596 mm x 412 mm x 40 mm), an option present in the Energizing Air Control item . This prevents 99.65% of micro-particles, fine dust and pollens from entering the cabin.
Finally, being 100% electric, the silence on board is to be expected to be sepulchral, but Mercedes proposes that the EQS is also an “acoustic experience”, with the option of emiting sound when driving and that it adapts. to our driving style or the selected driving mode.
MBUX Hyperscreen is an option. This is the interior you can find in the EQS as standard.
When equipped with the Burmester sound system, two “soundscapes” are available: Silver Waves and Vivid Flux. The first is characterized by being a “clean and sensual sound”, while the second is “crystalline, synthetic, but humanly warm”. There is a third and more intriguing option: Roaring Pulse, which can be activated via a remote update. Inspired by “powerful machines” it is the most “sounding and extroverted”. An electric car sounding like a vehicle with a combustion engine? It seems so.