Mercedes Flexes Hard on Rivals at IAA Motor Show with Big EV Roster
IAA Motor Show has moved from Frankfurt to BMW and Audi’s Munich backyard, and Mercedes brought a whole EV army with it.
The bi-annual IAA Motor Show may have moved from its traditional Frankfurt base to BMW and Audi’s Munich back yard this year, but that did not prevent their Stuttgart rival Mercedes-Benz from stealing that Bavarian show. And it was a dazzling array of cars, news and information that did the trick.
Amid news the likes of AMG boss Philipp Schiemer admitting that Affalterbach’s performance range will likely shrink as AMG tightens its F1 links, and explaining that its electric cars will make ‘a most profound’ noise; and Mercedes suit Markus Schäfer admitting that the future Benz estate cars among other model niche models are likely to become threatened, it was the cars that did the talking. And most of all in an electric way as Mercedes EQ rolled out a ton of vital new metal.
EQE: Mercedes’ Most Important Electric Car Yet
Perhaps Mercedes-Benz most important Munich reveal, the all-new EQE electric saloon shares its EVA2 platform wit the EQS e-limousine. To rival the BMW i4 and Tesla Model. Priced midway between the E-Class and EQS, EQE shares the bigger car’s Merc EV family black nose and cab-forward silhouette. It’s ‘sensual purity’ is assured via minimized panel gaps, transitions and body lines in a slippery ‘athletic character.’
Built using 100 percent recycled steel, the CLS-sized 195-inch long EQE is 10.6 inches shorter than the EQS on an 3 inch longer 126-inch wheelbase than the E-Class. Boasting Merc’s optional 55.5-inch wide ‘zero layer Hyperscreen’ MBUX infotainment, there’s a floating center console but no transmission tunnel, Benz claims EQE is one of the quietest cars in its class.
Starting with a 295 bhp and 391 lb ft permanent magnet rear motor EQE 350, it will likely be joined by a bi-motor AMG EQE 53 sharing its power train with the similarly tagged 751 whp EQS 53 explained below. Fed by a 10-cell 90 kWh lithium ion battery that can 170 kW charge to 155 miles range in 15 minutes, the 350 has a 410 mile range. Merc has not made any performance claims as yet, besides to mention its high power density, efficiency and power constancy.
EQS 53: The First Fully-Electric AMG
The new AMG EQS 53 4Matic+ was another crucial Mercedes Munich Motor Show reveal. AMG’s first all-electric production car, this 760 HP twin-motor luxury performance saloon will take on the Porsche Taycan Turbo S and Audi RS E-tron GT. It is the EQS range and bespoke electric Mercedes-EQ brand flagship. It is also the first of a future range of electric AMG EQ models.
EQS 53 brings extensive technical advanced over the regular EQS. The 660 HP 701 lb ft limo introduces a new AMG-specific bi-motor solution with electric propulsion on each axle. A Dynamic Plus package with Race Start increases output to 770 HP and 752 lb ft to deliver 3.3 second 0-60 mph acceleration. That’s 0.4 quicker than standard time and also 17 mph faster at 155mph. The 200 kW fast chargeable 400V 107.8kWh AMG lithium ion battery has a 360 mile range.
The permanently agitated synchronous motors get a stronger current, new windings and inverter actuation for higher rotational speeds. EQS 53’s twin-motor set-up brings fully variable all-wheel drive. The rear motor gets a six-phase design and AMG-specific cooling to boost efficiency. Sport and Sport+ driving modes have three corresponding levels of energy recuperation.
EQB to Bring Mercedes Electric Driving to the Masses
Another important electric Mercedes to debut at Munich, the EQB will be on sale before the end of the year. Based on the second step up the range GLB SUV, the EQB is an Audi Q4 E-tron rival to be built alongside its combustion sibling at Mercedes-Benz’s Plant Kecskemet, Hungary from later this month.
There are two models. The bi-motor all-wheel-drive 230 HP 288 lb ft EQB 300 4Matic. And the flagship 295 HP 384 lb ft EQB 350 that nicks its power train from the similarly weighted EQE 53. The latter rushes to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds – 1.8 seconds quicker than the entry car. Both manage a 99 mph top speed. Both EQBs also have a 66kW Mercedes-Benz offshoot Deutsche Accumotive built lithium ion battery sitting below the rear seat.
EQB can be charged at 11 kW on an AC system and at 100 kW on a DC set-up for a range of up to 260 miles. Mercedes confirmed that a “particularly long range version” will join the range later.