Just got this yesterday. Admin might want to move to Sticky

 

It’s awesome to see no major supply chain issues and no big restrictions on options/packages. EQS has suffered in the past from a number of options that were hard to add from time to time..

 

Waiting to see about the new headlights.

 

Waiting to see about the SUV :-)

 

Green leather?? I would have thought they would release a blue leather before a green leather. Note the yolk steering wheel is an option. I love that it has both the J1772 port for AC charging and a NACS port for DC charging. It's unclear if Fully Adaptive Highbeam Assist means matrix lighting. It says rear axle steering, but doesn't say whether it's 4.5° or 10°.

 

DIGITAL LIGHT standard w/ Fully Adaptive Highbeam Assist meets the functional definition of matrix lighting. What Are HD Matrix Headlights?

 

The new digital lights on these are much more than just matrix. Hopefully these will be the ones with digital extras so that (with a subscription of course) you will get the digital goodies like painting lines, symbols and other info directly onto the road in addition to all adaptive lighting.

The one thing great about these new digital lights is that they have a 600 meter distance which used to be only laser territory.

 

4.5 degree default with 10 degree subscription. All wheel sizes unlike the S-Class which limit 10 degrees up to 20” wheels

 

Thank you. What is MB.DRIVE ASSIST Plus vs, MB.DRIVE ASSIST or MB.DRIVE ASSIST Pro? (available in Dec 2026 ......)

 

I think the front end changes are hideous.
I wonder what the actual battery capacity is (how much is reserve for optimization, like the original pack was 120, reported as 107, then the '24 pack was 125 reported as 115 I think)
Also find it interesting that the 500 nets out right where the 450v4 was with the optional acceleration increase, but that they're not quoting higher performance for the 580, which surely isn't the reality.

 

Literally 100% of the car's tech, wiring, battery, propulsion and charging is changed. The smallest changes were cosmetic. Different battery tech (silicon oxide-graphit anodes) which changes energy density and packaging. Plus better range in cold weather. The 580 changed from 517hp to 576hp with a 0-60 in 4sec while increasing range.
Not bad for a car that was slated to be axed over a year ago IMO.

 

The most relevant one is the Pro version which is a point to point assisted driving model like Tesla FSD. Intervening manually (braking, steering) will also not disengage it anymore.
https://mbworld.org/forums/cla-eq/92...ssist-pro.html

 

Has there been any confirmation on whether it is just the front door or both front+rear that are now available as automatic-door? Also what is the timeline for the EQS SUV to get the newest/updated drive assist system that will allow hands-free driving at least on highways?

 

Per MBusa.com the MB.Drive Assist Pro is a hands-on advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that requires drivers to keep their hands on the wheel at all times, unlike some competitors that offer hands-free driving. It is designed to handle urban driving tasks such as navigating traffic and stopping at lights, but it lacks the driver monitoring features found in top-rated systems like Ford's BlueCruise and GM's Super Cruise.

 

Is this real? Even for highways?
@Wolfman ?

 

MB.Drive Assist Pro is a level 2 out of 6 levels of autonomous driving systems.

 

It looks interesting, but for me it will come down to the comfort & ride quality. I’m 6’1” and I’m very happy with the upright design of my current BMW I7. The EQS looks to be a bit tight on headroom and it appears that getting in & out of it might be less than comfortable. But, I’m willing to give it a test drive.

 

That info is incorrect. Technically MB's system is far advanced over GM's or Fords system (level 2), which are primarily mapped hands-free highway systems. The MB system is technically a level 3 system, being introduced as level 2++

That said, I am not a hundred percent sure on the hands-off highway function as the system is not out yet. Of course MB Drive.Assist Pro is Level 2++, the same as Tesla's FSD and BMW's Highway Assistant (including the iDrive X Symbiotic Drive. It is also level 3 capable). Very different than plain level 2 systems.

Some random thoughts/info:
MB-Drive Assist Pro is considered a hands-on system, same as BMW's symbiotic drive. Both use eye-tracking cameras and capacitive touch for attention and readiness tracking. But for mapped highways, BMW's Highway assist offers hands-free driving/passing to 85 mph. iDriveX has added highway exit navigation (hand-on) and collaborative driving (human intervention such as steering and braking doesn't disable the navigation). Literally all of BMW's advertising only show the highway functions. Used to be available in the US, Canada and Germany but is expanding this year to several other EU countries.

The new Mercedes system is a AI-based full point to point navigation system (like FSD) which includes navigation around obstacles and manage virtually all driving condition such as construction, trucks blocking lanes etc. (BMW is limited here and requires the driver to intervene and or stop) It's city assistant can come to a full stop at traffic lights and keep going. They also require hands-on. Mercedes is also using full collaborative driving. What is less clear is if MB will also be fully hands-off on the highway. The law that allows the hands-off path for BMW has also been approved for MB. There is just no info on this right now and any advertising relates to city traffic.

Tesla doesn't care that much about safety (IMO) and has a lower bar for creating hands-off driving, relying solely on the interior/exterior cameras under all conditions. Germans are stricter and use both eye tracking and captive touch. Both have much more extensive sensor suites than Tesla.

In the real world...
MB-Drive.Assist Pro does not require you to hold the steering wheel, you can just touch the bottom or back side of the wheel. Ideally I would like to have hands-off all the time. That said, I find the hands-off only truly beneficial if it's also eyes-off (level 3+). I have used BMW's highway assistant extensively in Germany and while really cool, it is also a real nuisance. First, the system doesn't like you in the left lane and continuously prompts you to change lanes. The max speed is 130kmh and whenever the speed limit is not unlimited in Germany, it is 120 or 130kmh. So the system limit is too low drive on the left lane and too fast on the right lane with the trucks. I find it to be much easier to go hands-on ACC at 200kmh and stay left

Also, the eye tracking is rather strict and will complain just when looking at the iDrive screen. Another issue is that the current highway assistant disregards the current navigation and it will just blow past your exit without disengaging. This is fixed now

 

If you are counting in level 0, then level 2 is 3 out of 6

The one critical component in this chart is missing and that is the one of liability. Starting with level 3, the manufacturer is liable for damages and injuries.

 

You are correct in that level 2 is the 3rd in the sequence of 6.
In these litigious times, the manufacturer will most likely be sued if there is any kind of vehicle failure even in level 0.

 

The order guide states that MB.Drive Assist Pro is delayed and available for December production (steer-by-wire is August). I am curious whether Assist Pro will be available via an unlock on all 2027 EQS. I think this is the case for the CLA ($4K for 3 years). My lease of my existing EQS is up in the fall and would like to get a slot for August production with steer-by-wire. But if an August car does not allow me to unlock to Assist Pro later following software update, I would consider holding off for a December slot.

 

It is a subscription model either way. The hardware is part of the sensor suite of the 2027 EQS, no matter when built.

 

I am looking forward to test driving the 2027 EQS. That said, I am quite happy with the level of autonomous driving ability provided in my 2024 BMW I7 with the Driving Assistant Professional Pkg. Other than having this level of assistance refined a bit, I do not think I am interested in a system that takes the autonomous abilities any further. I like it that the system prompts me to keep my eyes on the road and tells me to put my hands back on the steering wheel when it senses that doing such would be prudent. AND, not allowing the system to operate over 85mph—at least in the USA—is just fine with me. I will say that this system in my I7 is WAY more comfortable to use than the Distronic+ I had in my 2022 S580. The system in my 2020 S560 worked much better and was more comfortable to use.

As far as “subscription” options go, I am quite turned off by them. When we are talking top line vehicles, the option should be priced into the MSRP and that should be the end of it. I find it disgusting that MB, BMW & others find it necessary to nickel & dime their top line vehicle customers and I refuse to play along. Dealers should have the ability to make such subscriptions part of a lease deal, so they can be negotiated away.

 

It was a bummer for me to know that after all of this hype by Mbenz regarding the point to point whatever, the EQS does NOT offer full hands-free on highways. And it is also a subscription base? wow… I really don’t care about the assigned level or full autonomous driving, but I just want hands-free highway with sharp lane centering just like my current 7-series. If the future Mbenz sedans do not offer that, they will continue to be out of my potential list even for a test-drive.

No hands-free highway capability in the EQS is a true surprise and honestly stupid regardless of how good the system is. I do not want a car to drive me. I want a car that I drive with minimal muscle strain, while relaxed however I want in my seat. That’s called optional hands-free and perfect lane centering and ability to take curves really well as well as auto adjustment to speed signs. That’s exactly what the current (not newest) BMW system offers in my 7 series. Am hearing that the ix3 and the new 7 will have even better systems but the current G70 has all I need.

 

Yes, the hands free and lane centering are just wonderful on the I7. On longer trips it is so relaxing to simply take your hands off the steering wheel.