Mercedes’ EQS asks extra questions than it solutions
Mercedes-EQ’s ongoing electrical automobile onslaught has seen to it that each area of interest of its vary now boasts quite a lot of EV choices. Alongside its common Benz and AMG combustion and hybrid choices, in fact. This EQS is the electrical S-class, or maybe higher put, the S-class of EVs. However there’s way more to it.
See, the Mercedes-Benz S Class is considerably of a pillar amongst automobiles. So, when an electrical a type of comes alongside, it’s a really massive deal. And we anticipated that truth to sway opinion. However does it?
Mercedes EQS 450+. Meet the electrical S-class
Whereas new electrical car registrations had been romping towards 25% of the German new automobile market when EQS was first launched simply over two years again, that each one modified. The e-market rapidly now not appears the silver bullet it appeared again then,
However if you happen to actually need to drive an electrical luxurious automobile, meet your battery S-class. However in order for you a hybrid, or a straight petrol V8, even an AMG 63 there’s additionally one among all of these in your native Mercedes dealership. There’s even a biturbo V12 S 65 or a Maybach S Class. It’s known as freedom and it appears in Merc’s case at the very least, that you’ll lengthy have that luxurious of selection.
So what about this electrical S? Mercedes guarantees that EQS units new requirements in electrical motoring luxurious, electronics, aerodynamics, and updatable software program replace functionality round an electrical drivetrain. This one’s the $104,400 2.73-ton rear-wheel drive EQS 450+. It has a 329 HP 417 lb.-ft rear-mounted asynchronous electrical motor good for 160 mph in 6.1 seconds.
EQS 450+ vary is a 375 miles on an excellent day
Powered by a 107.8 kWh lithium-ion battery with 26% greater power content material than the one used within the EQC, it has a claimed 475 mile WTLP vary. In actual life it’s good for 375 miles on an excellent day, as we discovered. Priced according to the usual S-Class, EQS was the primary mannequin to make use of Mercedes’ devoted Electrical Car Structure with rear-wheel steering and air suspension at every nook.
Designed to ‘exceed the expectations of even its most demanding clients’, the aluminum bodied EQS is 205.3 inches lengthy, and 59.5 inches tall. It rides on a protracted 126.3-inch wheelbase and has quick overhangs.
You’re greeted by a black grille panel with angular headlights joined by a horizontal gentle bar. A hard and fast clamshell bonnet and distinctive one-bow roofline lead again to a hatchback-style tailgate to ship an distinctive 0.20 drag coefficient.
EQS 450+ has all of the bells and whistles. Or does it?
A excessive Centre console and flat ground additionally brings larger rear seat room than the petrol S. EQS’ 610-liter boot house is a noticeable 60 liters larger than the S-Class and extends to 1770 liters when the break up rear seats fold down. Our EQS cabin lacked Mercedes’ new triple digital show Hyperscreen. However it nonetheless packs Merc’s newest technology MBUX ‘Hey Mercedes’ working system.
Now that’s an issue. See, Mercedes likes to inform us he the C and E courses are ‘mini-S-classes’. However what concerning the S, and this EQS? This automobile’s entry siblings make the S and EQS rather less particular.
Positive, there’s a bit extra spec and a few cool touches right here and there. However there was at all times a one thing particular concerning the S-class that stood it up to now above the remaining. Now all that’s been eroded by Merc’s mini-me coverage, which makes its junior siblings so good. And the S and EQS rather less particular than they as soon as had been.
Supremely quiet and clean on the street
One other concern about this massive Merc was how troublesome it’s for an enormous outdated man to get into and out of it. That low, pillarless design might look slick, however it makes it a trick to climb aboard. EQS 450+ can also be devoid of a bit an excessive amount of spec.
We bought used to cooled seats within the half-price Lexus we had earlier than it, as an example. However the EQS solely had heating. Which was one among a number of bits of package alongside rear-wheel steering, encompass digicam that we observed left off, that way more frequent automobiles have as normal. Most likely to attempt hold this EV inside price range.
However the remainder of this electrical limousine is fairly darn good. Supremely quiet and clean, it will get on nicely sufficient and beats its claims of efficiency, if not a lot vary. Dealing with impressed despite that heft, and we had been intrigued by its regenerative skills, and actual world vary.
EQS 450+ provides to Mercedes’ freedom of selection
It charged 150 km in a single day, which can be a moot level since you get a wall charger free in your storage with this automobile. However if you happen to get caught away from residence, or the charging community, then it’s a problem.
We requested ‘Hey Mercedes’ for the closest public charging level within the city we had been visiting. The automobile informed us there have been two. 15 miles away within the subsequent metropolis. Go determine. Such are the challenges of driving electrical in South Africa, and lots of pther extra distant areas around the globe.
However the greatest trick right here is which you could nonetheless get all of the gasoline S-classes, which we someway consider that this automobile fails to stay absolutely as much as. This groundbreaking electrical EQS nonetheless now permits you a battery powered model if that’s so necessary to you. As a result of for Mercedes-Benz it’s all concerning the luxurious of selection, and that’s an excellent factor!
ROAD TESTED: Mercedes-EQS 450+ Sedan
Motor: 329 HP 417 lb.-ft synchronous electrical
Battery: 107.8 kWh lithium ion
Drive: Direct, RWD
TESTED:
0-40 mph: 3.02 sec
0-60 mph: 5.95 sec
0-80 mph: 8.05 sec
0-100 mph: 13.58 sec
¼-mile: 12.2 sec @ 114 mph
50-75 mph: 3.77 sec
75-100 mph: 5.53 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 125 mph
Vitality: 17.9 kWh/100 km
Vary: 475 miles
LIST PRICE: $104,400 MSRP
Pictures: Giordano Lupini