Powerful, spacious, luxurious, comfortable and endowed with unparalleled sophistication – the EQS is a true Mercedes-Benz When Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius unveiled the EQS in April, he described it as a “defining moment” for the world’s oldest car manufacturer. Such statements are often heard in the automotive industry these days. In this case, however, it is difficult to object. Unlike the EQC, EQV, EQA and EQB which arrived before it, the EQS is not derived from an existing ICE model, but rather has Mercedes’ first dedicated EV platform to house a new high density battery that promises a range of up to 485 miles and one of the most advanced interiors you can find in any car. The liftback-style luxury sedan was designed to offer buyers an electric alternative to the traditional S-Class power. Positioned at the top of a growing list of electric Mercedes, it acts as a technological showcase for the brand, with a certain number of innovations that one can also expect to see in the EQE sedan, the EQS SUV and the EQE SUV, all expected by the end of 2023. Tellingly, Mercedes does not see the EQS as a rival to the Porsche Taycan , Tesla Model S and Nio ET7. Instead, it points to the upcoming Audi ‘Landjet’, BMW i7 and Lucid Air. For now, however, the fiercest competition from the EQS will come from plug-in hybrid versions of traditional luxury limousines, such as the Audi A8 60 TFSIe, BMW 745e and S580e from Mercedes. Aesthetically, the EQS departs quite radically from traditional Mercedes models, with a design theme and front cabin profile similar to that featured by the EQS Vision Concept in 2019. Distinctive exterior elements include a black panel instead of ‘an angular grille and headlights connected by a thin light bar. Further back is a steeply raked windshield and what Mercedes calls a “single arch” roofline, which extends to a steeply raked tailgate. The doors are frameless and feature the same flush exterior handles that are optional on the S-Class, while the generously sized wheel arches can accommodate a range of 19-inch to 21-inch alloy wheels. At 5216mm long, 1926mm wide and 1512mm high, the EQS is 37mm longer, 28mm narrower and 9mm taller than the S-Class. It sits on a 3210mm wheelbase, or 106mm. mm more than its ICE engine counterpart, giving it relatively short overhangs and a very spacious interior. Mercedes claims that despite its generous dimensions, the EQS outperforms the Model S in terms of aerodynamic efficiency, with a record drag coefficient of just 0.20 Cd. Aluminum EQS supports two different configurations: one single engine giving rear-wheel drive or two giving four-wheel drive. The motors are mounted low in a subframe at the front and in the axle at the rear. Mercedes has put a lot of effort into the interior of the EQS, which combines bespoke elements with those already used in other models. As standard, it has a layout similar to that of the S-Class up front, with 12.3-inch and 12.8-inch digital displays for the instruments and the infotainment system, in combination with a steering wheel fitted with touch controls on its upper shelves. Buyers can also specify the EQS with the new Hyperscreen: a one-piece curved display that spans the entire width of the instrument panel, housing three digital displays: one for the dials, one for infotainment, and one for the front passenger. It’s impressive, no doubt, but the 1410mm-wide screen is prone to glare in sunny conditions, despite the inclusion of a sensor that automatically changes its brightness. It runs at an impressive speed, mind you, thanks to an eight-core processor and 24GB of memory. Everything is controlled by the latest generation of Mercedes’ MBUX operating system, which has both touch controls and conversational ‘Hey, Mercedes’ voice input as standard. It also supports live software downloads, so owners can update various features and access a new subscription service available through the Mercedes Me app. Additionally, there is a heads-up display with augmented reality functions for satellite navigation directions. A raised center console divides the front seats, offering various storage possibilities. The seats themselves are wide and beautifully comfortable, albeit a bit short on the side support. They can be ordered with up to 19 adjustment motors and 10 massage programs. The rear can be configured with a bench for three people or two chairs. The accommodation is excellent, especially for the legs and shoulders. While the EQS does without “frunk”, unlike some EVs, its 610 liters of trunk space is 60 liters more than that offered by the S-Class, and the space expands to 1,770 liters when the folding rear seats are folded down. Two EQS variants are initially available. The opening procedure is the 2480 kg EQS 450+, which has an engine that …
More about this article: Read More
Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-07-23 22:01:23
