Mercedes-Benz Reveals Technical Specs For EQS Electric Sedan
Two battery versions and multiple powertrain configurations will be available.
Ahead of the upcoming world premiere of the Mercedes-Benz
EQS, the manufacturer has released a lot of technical details for its upcoming
all-electric flagship model.
Mercedes-Benz took us on a virtual ride-along in the new
Mercedes-EQS with Dr. Fabbian Wuttke, project lead, sedan development. Along
the way, he divulged a number of facts, figures and more about the electric
sedan that we’ve been waiting so patiently to hear about.
An easy charging method called “Plug & Play” will be
available to U.S. owners (free for just two years) that, according to Mercedes,
will allow you to simply drive up and plug in without needing to fuss with an
app or other tech. It’s still vague, but Mercedes says that you’ll be able to
use this tech at over 90% of public charging points in the country.
Mercedes is also talking about what those batteries will be
powering. Several different versions of the EQS with varied power outputs will
be available from the start. The base rear-wheel-drive EQS will produce 329
horsepower from a single motor on the car’s rear axle. A dual-motor (one in
back and one in front) all-wheel-drive version with 516 horsepower will be
available, too — the rear motor is more powerful than the front. Mercedes is
teasing an “even more powerful performance version” that will come at a later
date. That sounds like an AMG variant to us. The 0-62 mph time on the 516-horse
version is 4.3 seconds, whereas the single-motor EQS will do it in 6.3 seconds.
Top speed for both is limited to 130 mph.
Mercedes says this electric version of 4Matic all-wheel
drive has much faster response versus its mechanical all-wheel drive systems.
That’s to be expected with electric motors. The motors themselves are
engineered with a special foam mat surrounding them for exceptional resistance
to NVH issues. A whole host of extra work contributes to making these motors
incredibly quiet and fit for S-Class level noise and vibration comfort.
Acoustic foam used throughout the body helps deliver silence to the cabin. New
technologies were also engineered for the window seals and door structure to
reduce noise — there will be an “acoustic comfort package” available that adds
laminated glass panes to the car. However, Mercedes will also point out that
the car’s 0.20 coefficient of drag (best of any current production car) also
reduces wind noise. It has a smooth underbody, aero-shaped spoilers and you’ll
have the choice between 19-, 20- and 21-inch wheels. Also contributing to this
figure are special, new A-pillar trim strips and seamless door handles.
One-pedal driving will be possible with the EQS. Shift
paddles on the steering wheel will allow you to swap between three levels of
brake recuperation. Also convenient in the city will be a four-wheel steering
system. Just like the new S-Class (the systems are nearly identical), Mercedes
will allow you to choose between an option that can turn the rear wheels 4.5
degrees or 10 degrees. At its best, the turning circle can be reduced to just
35.8 feet. Interestingly, Mercedes tells us that four-wheel steering will be
one of the items it offers as a post-purchase upgrade
Mercedes also highlighted a few instances in which it’s
using sustainable and green materials to manufacture the EQS. In total, the EQS
has about 176 pounds of recycled or renewable materials within it. These
include recycled plastics for cable ducting, recycled yarn for floor coverings
and even sustainably produced aluminum for the hood. The battery pack itself
(developed in-house by Mercedes) uses less cobalt and improved battery
chemistry than Mercedes' previous generation of battery tech did, and it's also
capable of receiving over-the-air battery management system updates. Don’t get
it wrong, though. The EQS can still be fully decked out in real leather and
other ultra-luxe materials — there are no vegan options to speak of here.
Even though this is the second recent deep dive we’ve had
into the EQS, Mercedes is still holding back on revealing the whole car. That
virtual event will come on April 15, so the wait is nearly over.


