Meet the Electric S-Class of SUVs
Mercedes-Benz Adds a Battery Electric EQS on Top of its SUV Range
Mercedes-Benz today continued its battery electric EQ onslaught with the all new EQS SUV. Basically, an SUV version of the S-class of EVs, this luxury SUV flagship will rival the Audi E-tron and BMW iX when it arrives at the end of the year. Based on the dedicated electric vehicle architecture EVA platform, the US-built EQS employs both single-motor rear and dual-motor all-wheel-drive layouts.
EQS SUV Comes in Rear or All-Wheel Drive
A two-model launch line-up includes the EQS 450+ and EQS 580 4Matic. The 350 HP 450+ comes in 419 lb.-ft single-motor rear drive option. Or in 590 lb.-ft dual-motor all-wheel-drive 4Matic guise. The rear drive car achieves between 23 and 18.6kWh/100km on the WLTP cycle. For a travelling range of up to 410 miles. The twin-motor EQS 450 4Matic will travel up to 381 miles on a charge. The battery can be charged at up to 200 kW on a DC system, from 10-80% capacity in a claimed 31 minutes.
The 530 HP and 632 lb.-ft all-wheel-drive EQS 580 4Matic enjoys slight output increases over the equivalent EQS saloon. But the SUV manages the same range figures as the lesser-powered 4WD model. Three different levels of energy recuperation include D+ coasting, D standard regeneration and D- enhanced regeneration. Or just keep it on D-Auto to automatically alter regeneration depending on driving conditions.
The SUV shares its 107.8 kWh lithium-ion battery packed into its floor, with the EQS saloon. To deliver the lowest center of gravity of any Mercedes-Benz SUV. Its 202.7 inches long, 77.1” wide and 67.7” tall. Which means the EQS SUV is 3.2 inches shorter, 4.1” shorter but a tenth of an inch broader and rides on a 2.9” longer wheelbase than its petrol and diesel GLS sibling. Its smooth shape conjures up the impression of a larger EQC SUV, as much as it does the EQS and EQE saloons.
Now Accepted Electric Mercedes Looks
EQS SUV features the now typical blanked-off black panel grille with an optional star pattern treatment. The angular LED headlights get optional Digital Light functionality and a horizontal LED light bar across the leading edge. The EQS SUV’s large clamshell bonnet is only opened at service. So, the windscreen washer filler tucks into the driver’s-side front panel.
The SUV stands apart from the EQS and EQE saloons by its framed doors. Optional arrow running boards smooth airflow along the sides of Benz’ most aerodynamically efficient SUV. That all thanks to a completely flat under tray and a heavily shrouded tailgate.
EQS SUV gets four-link front and multi-link rear suspension with AirMatic air springs and variable damping control. Ride height can be raised by up to an inch at speeds up to 50 mph, while above 68mph automatically lowers by 0.3″ in Comfort mode and by 0.5″ in Sport mode to reduce drag and aid overall efficiency. Up to 4.5 degrees of rear steering angle can be boosted to 10 degrees to reduce the tuning circle to hatchback levels
In The Lap of Electric EQS SUV Luxury
The Mercedes-EQS SUV has four primary Eco, Comfort, Sport and Off-Road driving modes. The Off-Road mode’s respective traction control system, anti-lock brakes and downhill speed regulation, as well as the mapping for the throttle enable the EQS SUV to tackle light terrain.
A high-mounted 12.3″ digital instrument panel dashboard and 12.8in portrait ‘Hey Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment displays is standard, but the plush EQS 580 gets the monster Hyperscreen, which operates on an eight-core processor and with 24-gigabytes of RAM. The pillar-to-pillar Hyperscreen includes 12.3-inch instrument, 17.7″central infotainment and 12.3″ front passenger screens on an expansive common surface. There’s also optional augmented reality navigation and a 7-seat cabin option too.
Photos: Mercedes-EQ