If you wish to drive throughout America from East to West, the brand new Mercedes EQS 580 4Matic SUV could be the mannequin for you: it’s tremendous spacious, tremendous comfy, tremendous silent, tremendous highly effective, and affords a good vary.
Picture: Bogdan Paraschiv
It’s like an ocean liner on wheels: large, opulent, stately, and supremely comfy. At 5.13 meters lengthy, with a wheelbase of three.21 meters and a curb weight of two,810 kg, the brand new EQS SUV greatest expresses Mercedes’ philosophy of consolation and luxurious within the new electrical period.
The Mercedes EQS SUV is the third mannequin within the new electrical luxurious vary constructed on the devoted EVA II electrical platform, following the EQS and EQE limousines, and is just about the electrical equal of the Mercedes GLS.
At 5.13 meters (202 in) lengthy, virtually 2 meters (78.7 in) vast with out mirrors, and over 1.70 meters (67 in) tall, the EQS SUV seems rather more large than the limousine constructed on the identical EVA II platform from which it’s derived, and never simply because it’s 20 cm (7.87 in) taller. It has a large, imposing attract, however its extremely aerodynamic form makes it seems extra compact than it truly is. With a document Cx for an SUV of its dimension of simply 0.25, the Mercedes EQS SUV seems like an alien spaceship that has landed on Earth.
Large house, prime ergonomics
Mercedes didn’t wish to compromise on house and aerodynamics, that are carefully linked to power consumption, and that’s why it developed a devoted electrical platform. With beautiful proportions, a brief bonnet, and a large wheelbase of three.21 meters (126.4 in), the EQS SUV affords monumental house within the rear. We examined the five-seat model, however there’s additionally a seven-seat choice (1,904 euro/$2,008).
Within the five-seat model, knee and headroom are big within the second row; the inside width is beneficiant, the rear bench is fantastically configured for 2, and rear passengers take pleasure in particular person computerized local weather management (1,357 euro/$1,432). However the choice for rear local weather management entails the choice for the expensive Digital Artwork Premium bundle, which prices at least 19,569 euro ($20,648) and consists of 10-degree integral steering, Digital headlights, panoramic sunroof, Burmester 3D audio system, computerized parking system with 360-degree digital camera, augmented actuality for the navigation and head-up show, Distronic adaptive cruise management with Pre Secure, 21-inch alloy wheels and black leather-based upholstery.
The rear bench slides electrically by 13 cm (5.11 in), and its segments recline and rise electrically from two buttons within the boot, all of which come as commonplace! Relying on the place of the seat, the boot quantity ranges from 645 to 880 liters, and folding the bench down brings it as much as 2100 liters. In distinction, the large price of growing a devoted electrical platform exhibits financial savings elsewhere, such because the plastics overlaying your complete again of the entrance seat backs.
Up entrance, the driving place is 20 cm (7.87 in) increased than within the EQS, however the supremely comfy seat hugs you such as you’re sinking into it, not sitting on it. On this respect, the driving place is best than within the BMW iX, the place you sit too excessive and the dashboard is simply too low.
Within the EQS SUV, the large dashboard is taken up by the spectacular 1.41-meter-wide Hyperscreen commonplace on the 580 4Matic model. In comparison with the EQS, an enthralling and colourful show with off-road particular info together with altimeter, compass, longitudinal and transverse clinometer, and – very particular – rear axle steering angle has been added to the instrument menu, which we’ll come again to in a second.
There are numerous features to handle, however Mercedes has dealt with this admirably. From the 2 small contact surfaces on the higher arms of the steering wheel taken over from the C and S-Class, which in my view, are the perfect answer within the trade, you may management the instrument cluster (left arm contact floor) and the multimedia system (proper arm contact floor). And from the decrease arms, you may entry the adaptive cruise management (left arm) and telephone, audio quantity, and voice management, respectively (proper arm). The local weather management menu is at all times on the backside of the multimedia system’s OLED display. From the haptic suggestions interplay bar, you may immediately entry driving modes, audio quantity, a very powerful menus, and the hazard warning button.
Merely put, every little thing is exceptionally intuitive regardless of the a number of features. With the gearshift mounted in its conventional place on the steering wheel, house has been cleared within the heart tunnel for the drinks can lid compartment, which additionally has a protected space for wi-fi telephone charging. And there’s one other beneficiant house within the heart armrest, every compartment that includes two USB-C sockets.
Essentially the most comfy drive trainThe Mercedes EQS 580 4Matic has the perfect drivetrain Mercedes has to supply for the time being: adaptive air suspension and integral steering with a 10-degree steering angle. This 10-degree angle differs from different integral steerings with smaller steering angles as a result of this big SUV turns like a compact hatchback in simply 11 meters. It’s handy given the big dimension. You’ll be able to alter the suspension power in line with your chosen driving mode and the bottom clearance. Normally, the bottom clearance is 178 mm, however you may manually elevate the suspension by 25 cm (9.8 in) under 60 kph (37.3 mph), and at speeds over 110 kph (68.3 mph), it mechanically drops by 10 mm (0.04 in) in Consolation and 15 mm (0.06 in) in Sport mode.
In Consolation mode, the EQS SUV floats throughout the street like sitting on a magical carpet, and no Rolls-Royce Cullinan does the job higher. The bridge’s cross-over joints are completely absorbed, and solely when crossing over culverts is a slight shudder. In Sport mode, the suspension stiffens however don’t think about it turning into any AMG suspension. It’s a bit firmer however not overly so as a result of this SUV is all about consolation. That could be why Mercedes isn’t providing an AMG model on this mannequin however solely on the extra compact EQE SUV coming in Might.
The EQS 580 4Matic runs extraordinarily quietly as a result of Mercedes didn’t minimize any corners on sound-deadening supplies, utterly encapsulated the 2 motors, and double-insulated them utilizing rubber mounts. The electrical motors are, subsequently, utterly inaudible, and wind noise is shallow due to the superb aerodynamics. In contrast, utilizing sound-absorbing supplies in all important areas and the big battery with a big capability of 107.8 kWh web has resulted in an enormous 2,810 kg (6,195 kilos) weight for the five-seater model.
However regardless of this monumental weight, the 2 everlasting magnet synchronous electrical motors don’t have any downside pushing this liner vigorously. In Eco mode, energy is restricted; on Consolation, the EQS SUV is livelier and extra incisive when accelerating in Sport Mode. Nevertheless it’s by no means brutal, as the ability flows easily with none premature response. 0-100 km/h in simply 5.2 seconds says a lot in regards to the automobile’s longitudinal dynamics.
If you wish to deal with twisty mountain roads, you’ll be pleasantly shocked by the extremely communicative steering, which isn’t a lot assisted. It provides exact suggestions on wheel place and has a shorter gear ratio than anticipated. Traction is excellent because the Torque Shifting perform that distributes torque between entrance and rear is monitored 10,000 occasions per minute. The steering encourages you to assault corners laborious; the excellent driving place additionally provides you confidence; the traction is faultless, however you will need to mood your self due to the large weight. In any case, this EQS SUV will not be made for pushing laborious by corners however for lengthy journeys.
Lengthy journeys? Sure, it’s doable as a result of, regardless of the excessive energy and weight, power consumption within the take a look at was solely 29 kWh/100 km in Eco Mode, which suggests real 400 km (248.5 miles) in sub-10 diploma temperatures. We will even think about a real 500 km (310.6 miles) in hotter situations, as Mercedes claims a WLTP vary of 597 km (371 miles). In fact, it additionally depends upon how you utilize the three power recuperation grades, which may be modified from the paddles behind the steering wheel.
Inconsistent brake pedal feeling
If you choose a navigation vacation spot (we even have augmented actuality and a shade head-up show with a number of info), then the navigation calculates the vary primarily based on the topography of the route, and tells you in case you attain the vacation spot with the quantity of power you might have or suggests charging stations. Likewise, in case you set a navigation vacation spot, the automobile brakes earlier than turning.
With the brakes, nevertheless, Mercedes nonetheless must handle the transition between regenerative and hydraulic braking pressure. Because of this, not a lot occurs within the first a part of the pedal stroke, and you will need to press the pedal more durable for a extra substantial deceleration. Because of this, the texture is odd.
Being a 400V platform, the EQS SUV doesn’t cost as rapidly as a Porsche Taycan that advantages from the 800V platform. The EQS sedan, which has an identical battery and charging system, takes 61 minutes to cost to 100% and 17 minutes to cost to 50%. The battery can cost as much as 200 kW at DC stations and 22 kW at AC stations.
The bottom value of 135,434 euro ($142,775) may be very excessive, and for instance, the petrol equal Mercedes GLS 580 4Matic outfitted with the 489 ps (482 hp) twin-turbo V8 and 48V gentle hybrid system prices 119,750 euro ($126,648), over 16,000 euro ($16,870) much less. And the Mercedes GLS comes with seven seats as commonplace, whereas the Mercedes EQS 580 4Matic SUV prices an additional 1,904 euro ($2,008).
Verdict
The Mercedes EQS 580 4Matic SUV is huge, highly effective, comfy, ultra-spacious, ultra-refined, and ultra-quiet. It consumes little for its dimension and energy and drives unexpectedly easily and exactly. Lengthy journeys are a pleasure, due to the respectable vary. Criticisms: pedal really feel and a few inside supplies that shouldn’t have been there at this very excessive value.
Engine 2, electrical
Max. output (PS/HP)544/536
Max. torque (Nm/lb-ft)855/630.6
L x w x h (mm/in)5,125 x 1,959 x 1,718/ 202 x 77.1 x 67.6
Wheelbase (mm/in) 3,215/126.4
Curb weight (kg/kilos)2,810/6,195
Battery capability gross/web (kWh)120/107.8
Cost energy (kW)/cost time DC (min)200 kw /31 min
Cost energy (kW)/cost time AC (h)22 kw /5 h
Vitality consumption (kWh/100 km)20.2
WLTP vary (km/miles)597/371
Acc 0-100 km/h (s)5.2
Prime velocity (kph/mph)210/130.5
Value (euro with VAT, $)135,434/142,775