EQE SUV is ‘9th Arrow’ in Mercedes’ EQ Electric Vehicle Bow
Meet Mercedes-EQ’s 2023 EQE SUV, Stuttgart’s ninth electric model in its rapidly mushrooming EQ electric vehicle portfolio.
Meet Mercedes-EQ’s 2023 EQE SUV, Stuttgart’s ninth electric model in its rapidly mushrooming EQ electric vehicle portfolio. Due in Benz showrooms early in 2023, it will kick off in a five-model line-up topped by the 685 HP AMG 53 4Matic+.
EQE SUV Comes in Rear or All Wheel Drive
Mercedes’ second most expensive EQ model, it slots in below the EQS SUV due later this year. That suggests a pricing point from around $100,000. It is the fourth car based on Mercedes’ second-generation Electric Vehicle Architecture EVA platform alongside the EQS saloon, EQE saloon and EQS SUV. The BMW iX rival will come in either rear or all-wheel drive and three electric drivetrains.
The range kicks off with a 288 HP 416 lb.-ft single-motor rear-wheel-drive entry level EQE 350+ SUV. Next up is the base 290 HP 148 lb.-ft dual-motor all-wheel-drive EQE 350 SUV 4Matic. And step another rung up to the 410 HP 632 lb.-ft EQE 500 SUV 4Matic. A pair of AMG models will join the range a little later next year. The 475 HP 623lb.-ft dual-motor all-wheel-drive EQE 43 SUV 4Matic is said to rush to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.
The flagship is AMG-developed 625 HP 700 lb.-ft six-phase electric motor-powered 53 model. It can be bumped up to 685 HP and 737 lb.-ft by ticking the AMG Dynamic Plus Package option box. That will deliver you to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds in Race Start mode and on to a 149-mph maximum speed. EQE 53 SUV packs fully variable 4Matic+ all-wheel drive to monitor drive distribution 160 times a second, and Michelin Pilot Sport EV MO1 tires.
Up to 367 WTLP Miles on a Single Charge
Packing the same 90.6 kWh lithium-ion battery as the EQE saloon, the SU supports charging rates up to 170 kW. The rear-wheel drive 350+ model delivers between 298 and 367 WLTP miles of range.
Echoing Mercedes’ larger EQS SUV styling, the EQE SUV brings a sleeker roofline and angled tailgate. AMG models get their own Panamerica-style front grille, restyled bumpers, and unique wheel designs. At 191.4 inches long, 76.3” wide in width and 66.3” tall, the it is 10.3” lower, 10.7” narrower and 1.25” lower than the EQS version. It rides on 7-inch shorter wheelbase.
Standard cars get steel suspension with adaptive damping and optional air suspension, which is standard on the AMG models. Add electromechanical active roll stabilization and four-wheel steering with up to 10 degree turning wheels at the rear.
Exotic EQE SUV Cabin has Hyperscreen Option
The five-seater EXE SUV features an exotic cabin and comes with the choice of two dash layouts. There’s a standard system and the high-cost flagship 55.5-inch-wide triple-display single fascia Hyperscreen. Both get ‘Hey Mercedes’ MBUX operating systems with speech command and remote software updating via an embedded SIM card.
Mercedes will build the new car alongside its EQS sibling at Plant Tuscaloosa in Alabama, USA and at JV partner BAIC’s Beijing, China facility.
Images: Mercedes-EQ