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Test drove EQS450 a few days ago. When people say it's an S-Class of EQ... please don't believe them. The car has nothing to do with S-Class whatsoever, it's actually very small, I would even compare it to CLS more than S. It has about the same dimensions and headroom inside as CLS. It even has the same frameless doors. It doesn't have a lot of space in the front seat, I almost hit my head on a roof. The design is a little different from a typical car. It has a long front dash going forward (since there is not much under the hood). But all this extra space can't be used for anything. Just a big long dashboard. Instead of a trunk, there is a hatchback. The central display is big and nice, but I thought it was a bit of a distraction because it's located very low in the central console. So, you really need to take your eyes off the road and look down into the screen.
On the test drive, the acceleration was decent, although we hit a little traffic. Then I saw the shift pedals on the steering, forgetting that car doesn't have a transmission, and when I hit the "minus" pedal... I thought this car had died on me! Then I was told that's how you engage the regenerative brakes. Overall, I think I'm still keeping my GLS and E Cabriolet! However, I liked the presents they gave me: MB Cap, a pen and a mask! EQS pen and a mask
It is a bit "difficult" to put a lot of weight on your review when you get all excited about receiving a cap and a pen with MB logo for having gotten you to come and test drive their car.
It is a bit "difficult" to put a lot of weight on your review when you get all excited about receiving a cap and a pen with MB logo for having gotten you to come and test drive their car.
I'm sorry you have to deal with "difficult" stuff... but after driving MB for over 30 years, I hardly get excited about MB logo... And no, I didn't do any review, just shared my thoughts on EQS. You're welcome to share yours if you have any...
In December last year, Mercedes-Benz became the first automaker to gain an "internationally valid system approval" for a Level 3 system, available in the new S-Class and its all-electric alternative EQS. This basically means drivers of those two vehicles could go completely hands-free, though they still must be ready to intervene if necessary. It seems that this technology is coming to the United States before the end of the year.
The German automaker’s CEO Ola Kallenius recently confirmed it is working with full power to bring the Level 3 autonomous tech to the US market very soon. Speaking to journalists yesterday during the company’s 2021 financial results call, Kallenius said: "It’s our objective to roll out this technology this year."
The automaker’s CEO also explained Mercedes is currently conducting tests in the United States and is also talking with the local authorities regarding the requirements that have to be met for the launch of the tech to happen. Unfortunately, he didn’t provide additional details, though admitted he wants the tech to be available on a wide scale.
On the Mercedes S-Class and EQS equipped with the Drive Pilot with Level 3 capability, the system can function in heavy, congested traffic at speeds of up to 37 miles per hour (60 kilometers per hour). If all requirements are met, the vehicle can accelerate, brake, and even change lanes without input from the driver. The function is already available on 8,197 miles (13,191 kilometers) of the German highway. In Deutschland, Mercedes will begin offering S-Class and EQS models starting later during the first half of 2022.
Audi was technically the first to reach Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities with the A8, though it abandoned its plans to make it available to customers in Europe and the US, at least for now. BMW is expected to join the party very soon with the launch of the next-generation 7 Series.
Mercedes compact car family (MFA2) becomes Mercedes-Benz entry models (MMA)In 2024, the Mercedes compact car family will be successively replaced by the MMA Platzform. While models such as the A-Class sedan, the B-Class and the CLA Shooting Brake should not be given a successor, Ola Källenius reports that at MMA one can no longer speak of a compact car family - rather of Mercedes entry models. It requires that all models have a length of 4.50m + x cm. This means that the new A-Class will be around 10 cm longer. In addition, new body shapes such as an SUV sedan (SUL) are also available. According to the rumours, they are limited to 48 volt mild hybrid models and purely electric variants. There will probably no longer be a 250e plug-in hybrid successor
AMG.EA is coming in the second half of 2025
The first electric models based on AMG's own electric architecture called AMG.EA with the innovative and extremely powerful axial flux motor should be available from the second half of 2025 and further models will follow in the years to come.
EQE SUV (X294) production location confirmed
The Mercedes-Benz plant in the USA in Tuscaloosa (specifically in the suburb of Vance) currently produces the GLE, GLE Coupé and GLS. The new C-Class W206 will no longer be launched in the USA. The EQS SUV (X296) and the Maybach version of the EQS SUV are produced there for this purpose. The EQE SUV (X294) will also start there in 2023. Now explained that in Beijing not only - as already known - the EQE sedan (V295) but also the EQE SUV (X294) comes off the assembly line there.
I'm not sure, interestingly the S-Class equipped with drive pilot has silver buttons at the top of the wheel to engage the system, so perhaps current models may not feature the abilities, however I am not sure. Will have to await further details.
I'm not familiar with Tesla but I think they count more on the camera system than Mercedes does. Mercedes adds e.g. lidar radars to the bumper to enable level 3 driving. Obviously not a SW updated at least as the current design.
I'm not sure, interestingly the S-Class equipped with drive pilot has silver buttons at the top of the wheel to engage the system, so perhaps current models may not feature the abilities, however I am not sure. Will have to await further details.
I sure hope it will also be available for the 2022 EQS by some sort of software update. If not available, I may have to trade in my EQS 580 for the 2023 model. I know that there are some here that don't give a hoot by autonomous features but I think it's a great safety feature and much more relaxing to drive long distance without much fatigue. Obviously, one has to be ready to take over controls in case something goes wrong. The more thigh tech features the better in my opinion.
I drove the EQS 580 at the Miami driving event today. I was impressed by the event itself, very well managed, a lot of staff, no wait getting into the car, interesting driving route. There were a lot of cars available in many colors. I didn't see a Cardinal Red but there was enough variety otherwise to choose a few favorite combinations. I liked the hyper screen but the sun reflection is distracting. The seat seemed too high but maybe I didn't spend enough time with the adjustments. The car is solid and powerful. The headrest pillows are surprisingly comfortable. I think I would want the power door closer. Overall, I loved the car and the appearance is striking in-person.
I drove the EQS 580 at the Miami driving event today. I was impressed by the event itself, very well managed, a lot of staff, no wait getting into the car, interesting driving route. There were a lot of cars available in many colors. I didn't see a Cardinal Red but there was enough variety otherwise to choose a few favorite combinations. I liked the hyper screen but the sun reflection is distracting. The seat seemed too high but maybe I didn't spend enough time with the adjustments. The car is solid and powerful. The headrest pillows are surprisingly comfortable. I think I would want the power door closer. Overall, I loved the car and the appearance is striking in-person.
did you try closing the blind when you had reflection from the dash? I have had the car now for 5 days and haven’t had an issue with reflection from the hyperscreen
Mercedes is aiming to bring the system to the US by the end of this year and plans on taking full legal responsibility when the Drive Pilot is active.
The catch is that when the DrivePilot is unsure it will disable itself with 8 seconds notice, and then it won't be active and legal responsibility passes back to the driver.
Nonetheless it's clearly a differentiator vs Tesla which takes zero responsibility and claims Full Self Driving.
This is great news for autonomous driving. However, having to pay MB $12,000 to activate this feature in my car which is only active in low speed, highway driving is too rich for my blood. I don't recall seeing the buttons on my EQS steering wheel that would control this feature anyway. Perhaps another case of supply chain shortage?
Under 40MPH?!?
This seems that its only useful for people in LA...If they enable hands free level 2 at any speed like Blue cruise or Super cruise then I will be interested but this seems like a waste of time if you don't live in an area with tons of traffic.
This is great news for autonomous driving. However, having to pay MB $12,000 to activate this feature in my car which is only active in low speed, highway driving is too rich for my blood. I don't recall seeing the buttons on my EQS steering wheel that would control this feature anyway. Perhaps another case of supply chain shortage?
So, are we early adopters of the current EQS be able to somehow have this feature installed in the fall? I'd be willing to pay for it. The more high tech safety features the better in my opinion.
So, are we early adopters of the current EQS be able to somehow have this feature installed in the fall? I'd be willing to pay for it. The more high tech safety features the better in my opinion.
No details yet, although they vaguely seem to mention that a retrofit would be possible for current owners. I'll believe it when I see it.
Despite the semi-conductor shortage and production bottlenecks, Mercedes was able to deliver 2,091 EQS sedans for its first ever full sales quarter in the US.
While not trouncing MB's tried and true S-Class sedan with 4,817 sales in Quarter One, the EQS outsold both the ICE BMW 7-Series and Audi A8 combined. In addition, the EQS also outsold its EV competition from both the Audi E-Tron GT, as well as Porsche Taycan.
Globally, Mercedes was able to sell over 20,000 full BEV's in Quarter One.
Despite the semi-conductor shortage and production bottlenecks, Mercedes was able to deliver 2,091 EQS sedans for its first ever full sales quarter in the US.
While not trouncing MB's tried and true S-Class sedan with 4,817 sales in Quarter One, the EQS outsold both the ICE BMW 7-Series and Audi A8 combined. In addition, the EQS also outsold its EV competition from both the Audi E-Tron GT, as well as Porsche Taycan.
Globally, Mercedes was able to sell over 20,000 full BEV's in Quarter One.
Well on its way to be fully electric in less than a decade🤞
the EQS outsold both the ICE BMW 7-Series and Audi A8 combined. In addition, the EQS also outsold its EV competition from both the Audi E-Tron GT, as well as Porsche Taycan.
They are selling like hotcakes. If the EQE drives similarly, Merceds better get their production duckies in order or they'll never catch up with demand. Contrary to here, in the EU 250 to 300 miles of range should be more than adequate range.
Im not paying for it. As someone pointed out, this is only for big city traffic jams. Luckily I don't have those in the boonies. As expected, it is ridiculously expensive because its ridiculously complicated. I also wonder how useful it would be in rainy climates like Germany, England and Seattle. It uses lidar which is useless in the rain fog etc. A technical tour de force but of very limited application.
02-06-2022, 10:32 AM
I know that there are some here that don't give a hoot by autonomous features but I think it's a great safety feature and much more relaxing to drive long distance without much fatigue. Obviously, one has to be ready to take over controls in case something goes wrong. The more thigh tech features the better in my opinion.
