Mercedes-Benz: First drive with electric car EQS 🎥

From 2022, the EQS will be able to drive autonomously on highways at speeds of up to 60 km/h in Level 3.

The independence of this electric luxury sedan is already manifested in its appearance. With its short front end, curved passenger cell and hatchback ending in a rump, the new model has different, modern proportions - and makes full use of the potential of an exclusively electric platform.

For luggage up to 1770 liters of storage space
Unlike the S-Class, which is built in three lengths, the EQS is only available with one wheelbase. But it already offers so much interior space that an even longer version is superfluous.

Space is extremely generous in both the front and rear, and behind the rear seats is a 610-liter luggage compartment that is accessible via a large tailgate and grows to 1770 liters with the rear seats folded down.

Two different dashboards
The interior is also futuristic, but at the same time unusually opulent. There are two different dashboards: The basic variant has large, separate screens, similar to the S-Class, and there is a decorative area in front of the co-pilot.

For an additional charge, there is a fully glazed cockpit called Hyperscreen, in which three large screens are hidden behind glass. The ambient lighting communicates with the driver via color, and the cold splendor of this interior is unparalleled.

With all-wheel drive standard sprint in 4.3 seconds
The entry-level EQS 450 is powered by a synchronous machine that transmits 245 kW (333 hp) to the rear axle via a single-stage transmission. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes 6.1 seconds, with the speed limit set at 210 km/h.

At the same time, the EQS moves with great lightness of foot. If the driver forgoes automatic recuperation and lets the car roll, it is noticeable how low the driving resistances are.

This corresponds to an excellent consumption of 15.8 kWh, which is equivalent to a range of up to 780 kilometers. Even in real-world operation, 500 to 600 kilometers can easily be achieved.

Above this is the twin-engine EQS 580 with all-wheel drive, which develops 385 kW (523 hp) and completes the standard sprint in just 4.3 seconds. Its range is said to be 676 kilometers.

DC charging power at up to 200 kW
This means that the range anxiety associated with the e-car experience is theoretically a thing of the past - but only if fast charging options are also available. Theoretically, the DC charging capacity is up to 200 kW.

However, if there is no corresponding pillar, the journey is interrupted for a longer period of time even in EQS with an empty battery. This problem does not usually arise in Switzerland along the main traffic routes.

Suspension swallows even rough bumps
In city traffic, the EQS is extremely easy to handle, not least thanks to the all-wheel steering with a steering angle of 4.5 degrees, which can optionally be increased to ten degrees. This shrinks the turning circle - an old Mercedes virtue - to a full 10.9 meters.

The EQS threatens to understeer when driven hard, and the body roll cannot be completely suppressed. On the other hand, comfort is at the highest level. The suspension absorbs even rough bumps, and the sedan seems almost completely acoustically isolated.

From 2022 automated driving at level 3
The EQS is equipped with a wide range of assistance systems that further pave the way to autonomous driving. From 2022, the car will be able to drive autonomously on highways at speeds of up to 60 km/h in Level 3.

And so, in our view, the S-Class remains the best car in the world. While the EQS is the best car in a politically desirable parallel world, of which it is far from clear what it will ultimately look like. The prices have not yet been set, but they will be on a par with a comparable S-Class.

Text: Jens Meiners
mercedes-benz.ch