Mercedes-Benz electrifies more of its line-up
Mercedes-Benz took the opportunity to showcase the full breadth of its current and future electric vehicle line-up at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany.
With more than 400,000 visitors pouring through the doors, the Mercedes- Benz stand featured an array of models with one clear message – the company is gearing up for an electric future.
One of the biggest attractions was the EQG – the clue is in the last letter. It is a fully electrified version of the mighty, go anywhere G-Class and was displayed in concept form at the show.
The vehicle has always been renowned for its 4x4 qualities and dates back to 1979. Over the decades the exterior design has not changed radically and Mercedes-Benz is keen to keep with tradition for the electrified version. So, the Concept EQG can instantly be recognised as a G model thanks to its bold, upright stance and robust exterior. It keeps the round headlights, but instead of a radiator grille, there is a continuous deep black grille with coloured lights.
Riding high on 22-inch polished wheels, the EQG has one other notable change. Instead of the spare wheel on the rear door, there is a lockable box with white accents. This would be an ideal location to store charging cables away from sight.
Like the G Class, the body is based on the ladder frame with a chassis design built for off-road adventures. The suspension system has also been constructed for the integration of the electric drive system.
Another key attraction at the stand saw the integration of the super luxurious arm, Maybach, for their Concept EQS. This was a preview of the first fully electric model for the Mercedes-Maybach badged model.
The large SUV is a near-production display model and proved a real head turner with Maybach’s traditional two-tone paint finish and bold silhouette. The LED headlights feature individual diamond blocks and there is the classic Maybach name sitting proudly on the bonnet.
Moving inside, the rear of the Mercedes-Maybach EQS has been designed as a comfortable place to work or relax. There are executive seats, a chauffeur package and even the armrests are designed with inspiration from top quality sideboards. The trim looks exquisite in white piano lacquer and the high-end materials are finished in deep-sea blue, which the car maker claims delivers a feel-good atmosphere as if the occupants are travelling on an elegant yacht.
Back seat comfort is based very much on the S-Class with two individual seats, as well as a top-quality entertainment system. Up front, the curved MBUX Hyperscreen, complete with Maybach-specific graphics, stretches the entire width of the car with a trio of screens behind a single glass cover.
Any Mercedes model carrying high performance AMG badging is going to be a crowd pleaser, so the IAA show was the ideal time to unveil the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4Matic+. This is the company’s first battery-electric AMG production model boasting an electric powertrain with one motor on each axle.
The car will have a basic entry-level version that achieves a power output of 649bhp, with maximum torque of 700lb ft. An AMG Dynamic Plus package sees the maximum output boosted to 751bhp in Race Start mode, with torque increased further to 752lb ft. Performance is a key factor for any AMG-badged car and the EQS version lives up to the hype with a 0-62mph sprint time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed that is electronically limited to 155mph. In the basic AMG EQS, the acceleration is slightly slower at 136mph.
Powering the AMG EQS 53 is a 400-volt battery that has been developed using the latest lithium-ion technology to deliver shorter charging times. The battery can be charged at up to 200kW at ultra-rapid charging stations, with power for 186 miles (WLTP) topped up in just 19 minutes.
The IAA Mobility show also previewed the new Mercedes-Benz EQE, ahead of its global launch midway through next year.
It will be built in Bremen, Germany on the same electric architecture as the EQS, codenamed EVA2, but with a wheelbase that is 90mm shorter. It’s comparable in size to the current CLS-Class and mirrors its layout by featuring a separate boot of 430 litres, rather than a tailgate. Interior space is more generous than the E-Class, with extra shoulder room up front, lengthier interior measurements, while the seating position is 65mm higher. The interior design is very similar to that of the EQS, including the MBUX Hyperscreen that extends right across the dashboard, automatic comfort doors, and rear-axle steering, with each available as optional extras.
The EQE 350 produces 288bhp, features a battery pack with 90kWh capacity and is capable of travelling up to 412 miles on a single charge. A second EQE model will be sold alongside, in addition to a Mercedes-AMG performance orientated edition with over 671bhp on tap.
The range-topping Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+. New EQE made its debut at the show. Mercedes-Maybach Concept EQS.