First Drive: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE

After a gradual begin, Mercedes is lastly plugging into the electrical automobile revolution. It’s been barely a 12 months because it launched its first long-range mannequin, the flagship EQS sedan. Now, it’s racing new fashions to market. By this time subsequent 12 months it is going to provide an SUV model of the EQS, the little EQB crossover, and each sedan and SUV variations of the EQE.

I headed out to Denver earlier this month to get my first trip within the midsize sedan, the all-electric equal of the acquainted E-Class, spending a protracted day driving it out from the Mile Excessive Metropolis up into the foothills of the Rockies. Right here’s a have a look at what I found.

Overview

There might come a time once we don’t want to say Tesla when speaking about each new battery-electric automobile that involves market. We simply haven’t reached that time but. And Mercedes’ product improvement workforce was clearly conscious of that as they pulled collectively the all-electric sedan now generally known as the EQE.

Like it or hate it, the intense design makes the prevailing Tesla line-up look virtually plain by comparability. As with the larger EQS, nevertheless, the design does create some sacrifices by way of inside area. The cabin, in the meantime, is plush and bears the form of lavish detailing you’d anticipate of a Mercedes — although your eyes will definitely be drawn to the high-tech instrument cluster, particularly in case your EQE is supplied with the non-compulsory Hyperscreen.

General, that is an especially high-tech package deal and may take time to get accustomed to. However the EQE 350 drivetrain is simple to like. It’s fast, clean, and gives the form of vary luxurious consumers will anticipate.

Exterior

At first look, you would possibly confuse the brand new EQE for the larger EQS sedan. Each undertake the identical, curvaceous “one-bow” design language. It minimizes aerodynamic drag and ends in a few of the lowest drag coefficient numbers of any automobile on the highway. However I’ll go away it to say the look is “polarizing.”

At just below 195 inches in complete size, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 is as much as a foot shorter than the EQS — relying upon the mannequin you’re evaluating it with. The midsize sedan has a width of about 83 inches together with the mirrors, and a top of 58.7 inches. The wheelbase is available in at 122.8 inches. And the sedan weighs in at a hefty 5,192 kilos — a few half ton of that made up of its long-range battery pack.

With the EQE the one-bow design interprets into a brief, low nostril, a steeply raked windshield and aggressively curved roofline. However the midsize sedan will get a stubbier again finish.

Without having to feed air to an inside combustion engine, a sealed panel replaces the standard grille on an EQE. The bottom trim adopts a shiny black look, with an non-compulsory panel lit up by dozens of small, Mercedes tri-stars.

The clamshell hood, by the way, is totally sealed. Supposedly, solely a Mercedes mechanic can open it. Which may appear odd, however there’s actually no must entry it. EVs require solely probably the most minimal upkeep and there’s a pop-out port on the left entrance fender to make it straightforward to deal with the one frequent activity: loading contemporary windshield washer fluid.

Each the EQE and authentic EQS share their fundamental exterior particulars, together with huge lightbars highlighting the entrance and rear. Past noting its smaller dimensions, probably the most fast distinction with the midsize sedan is using two small triangular accents lamps atop the LED headlights. The EQS boasts three.

Inside

As I slip contained in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 for the primary time, I discover my eyes instantly drawn to the large Hyperscreen in my take a look at automobile. It spreads throughout the instrument panel, practically 5 toes, from pillar-to-pillar. However there’s much more to understand in regards to the electrical sedan which, even in base trim, has been outfitted like a extra high-line E-Class.

The acquainted, turbine-style air vents are relegated to the corners of the IP, with skinny horizontal louvers doing a lot of the work of local weather management system.

The diamond-stitched seats are enticing, plush and comfy — and surprisingly supportive as I later realized flogging the EQE on winding mountain roads exterior Denver.

With no driveshaft tunnel, Mercedes designers discovered additional area to play with, arising with a floating, two-level middle console offering loads of additional space for storing.

If there’s a draw back, it’s the compromise required of the sedan’s one-bow design. As with the larger EQS, the primary downside is rear-seat headroom. At 6’2”, I discovered myself feeling a bit claustrophobic within the again seat. Sarcastically, the design creates an enormous quantity of trunk area.

My different grievance facilities round the best way the digital gauge cluster is positioned. Sadly, the structure is a bit awkward and to make it straightforward to learn I discovered I needed to settle for a less-than-perfect place for the steering wheel.

Powertrain

Initially, Mercedes is launching the brand new sedan with one powertrain choice, the EQE 350 counting on a single motor driving the rear axle. Pulling energy from a 90.6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, it generates 288 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque.

Although the automaker charges the EQE 350 at 660 kilometers — or simply over 400 miles — per cost utilizing the worldwide WLTP commonplace, the EPA ranking is predicted to return in nearer to 300 miles, a extra practical quantity, based mostly on the best way People drive.

In keeping with Mercedes, you’ll be able to take a drained battery as much as a 100% cost in 9.5 hours utilizing a 240-volt Stage 2 charger. Plug into one of many newer DC fast-chargers and also you’ll go from 10 to 80% in about 31 minutes.

As with the larger EQS, Mercedes will develop the powertrain choices through the subsequent 12 months. An EQE 500 4Matic is within the works and, because the title suggests, it is going to be an all-wheel-drive package deal with motors on every axle growing considerably extra energy. However for these seeking to push extremes, an AMG EQE can be on faucet. It’s anticipated to ship as a lot as 677 horsepower, and can launch from 0-60 in simply 3.2 seconds with the non-compulsory AMG Dynamic Plus Package deal, Mercedes revealed earlier this 12 months.

Security and Know-how

It’s typically mentioned at the moment’s automobiles are computer systems on wheels. That actually applies with regards to the Mercedes EQE. As with the larger EQS sedan, Mercedes has loaded the 2023 EQE 350 up with an assortment of technological options. That features the non-compulsory Hyperscreen that provides a small, third show for the entrance passenger. Even with the “base” system, the EQE contains a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and an enormous, 17.7-inch infotainment display screen atop the middle stack.

As with just about all new Mercedes fashions, the EQE options the MBUX voice assistant. Say, “Hey, Mercedes,” and it’ll do every little thing from set a vacation spot into the navigation system to alter radio stations. In truth, it’s arduous to provide you with any automobile capabilities you’ll be able to’t management by voice, although you can even use the central touchscreen or the capacitive contact controls on the steering wheel.

In step with the Hyperscreen design, the sedan’s head-up-display can be one of many largest available on the market. It gives a wealth of data — an excessive amount of, at occasions — together with dancing arrows that appear to drift 30 toes forward of the automotive. Come as much as an intersection and so they level out exactly the place it is advisable flip in case you’ve received a vacation spot plugged into the navigation system.

Whereas battery automobiles aren’t completely silent, they’re considerably quieter than automobiles with typical inside combustion engines. You’ll be able to benefit from the lack of noise or go for considered one of three “soundscapes,” “relying upon the feelings of the second,” mentioned Mercedes’ lead sound engineer Thomas Kuppers.

As you’d anticipate of a Mercedes, the EQS is loaded with superior driver help techniques designed to stop dings in a parking zone and crashes on the freeway. The automotive doesn’t have a real hands-free driving system however its lane centering expertise will allow you to cruise alongside a freeway with solely a light-weight contact on the steering wheel.

Driving Impressions

Pulling out of an underground parking zone in downtown, I faucet twice on the left paddle-shifter to place the EQE into the Mercedes model of 1-Pedal Mode. This sharply boosts brake regeneration — the quantity of power recaptured when braking or coasting — and makes the sedan really feel like I’d downshifted an inside combustion engine’s transmission by a number of gears. Now, I can work my means via visitors with out continuously shifting from throttle to brake. I merely modulate my foot on the accelerator to take care of the tempo of visitors.

As I flip onto I-70, I get my first sense of what the single-motor drivetrain can ship — and it’s spectacular. Whereas the numbers appear modest on paper, the EQE 350 has greater than sufficient energy for me to rapidly and confidently merge into the left lane which is shifting at just below 80 mph. The moment torque generated by that motor might be tapped at any pace an American motorist goes to expertise, whether or not launching off a cease gentle or executing a high-speed freeway go.

Turning off the freeway as I head in direction of Pink Rocks, I get my first likelihood to essentially flog the all-electric sedan round steep and windy mountain roads. There’s no query that is one heavy automobile, at practically 5,200 kilos. A comparable, gas-powered E-Class will weigh in nearer to 4,000 kilos. But, the EQE proves to be way more nimble than one would possibly anticipate — way more so than the larger, heavier EQS.  It’s no sports activities sedan within the present configuration however the EQE handles even harsh turns with cheap grace. Charging into a decent collection of S-curves it stays properly planted with solely modest quantities of physique roll.

The EQE’s skateboard-like platform has loads of potential, as Mercedes has already confirmed with the larger EQS AMG package deal. I’d anticipate an much more exhilarating trip out of the twin-motor EQE 500 and AMG fashions to comply with.

One factor {that a} motorist will uncover is that even underneath flat-out acceleration, and speeds over 80, the EQE’s cabin is close to tomb quiet. There’s just about no motor noise, nor sound from wind and tires. The automaker does provide a number of “soundscapes” to activate, digital sounds that reply to throttle motion to simulate an engine observe. To my ear they’re too synthetic however at low ranges they do present a little bit of visceral suggestions.

Wrap Up

Because the third Mercedes EQ product line, the EQE makes clear the German automaker is significantly dedicated to going all-electric. And it’s pulling off that transition in model. As with the unique EQS, the smaller sedan’s one-bow design is more likely to generate a good bit of controversy although, to my eyes, it really appears a bit higher right here than it does on its greater brother. The proportions work higher with the shorter wheelbase and total size.

There’s a little bit of sacrifice with regards to rear seat headroom, however the inside structure is, on the entire, fairly roomy and greater than as much as Mercedes requirements with regards to design and detailing. It’s way more luxurious than something Tesla has but placed on the highway, even with its personal flagship Mannequin S. And, but, the EQE matches its rival on the high-tech scale. I anticipate a large share of consumers — if not the bulk — will go for the large Hyperscreen system simply due to the best way it appears.

Studying to function the infotainment system can take time. There’s lots to grasp there and it does have its quirks. However as I’ve grown extra used to the system, and the MBUX voice assistant, I’ve come to understand their capabilities.

The EQE isn’t for everybody. There are nonetheless loads of luxurious consumers who aren’t able to decide to going all-electric. But it surely gives a strong choice for these prepared to make the transfer. At a beginning worth anticipated to return in simply above $70,000 it gives an alternative choice for many who don’t need yet one more look-alike Tesla.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE — Often Requested Questions