Mercedes-Benz electrifies luxury sedan segment via EQS

MANILA: Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled its first all-electric luxury sedan, the EQS. It is the first Mercedes-EQ model that is built on the modular architecture of executive-class electric vehicles.

The EQS features innovative technology, design, functionality, and connectivity designed to satisfy drivers and passengers. The first variants that will be available on the market are the EQS 450+ with 245kW (electrical consumption NEDC combined: 19.1-16.0 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km) and the EQS 580 4MATIC with 385kW (electrical consumption NEDC combined: 20.0-16.9 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km).

Mercedes-Benz previously introduced its Ambition 2039 program that aims to produce a carbon-neutral new car fleet within 20 years. The company targets to incorporate electric drive systems on more than half of its lineup by 2030. The vehicles will be manufactured using sustainable materials such as carpets made from recycled yarn. Mercedes-Benz AG stays true to its climate protection commitment as confirmed by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI).

In a statement, Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG Chief Executive Officer Ola Kallenius said, “The EQS is designed to exceed the expectations of even our most demanding customers. That’s exactly what a Mercedes has to do to earn the letter ‘S’ in its name because we don’t award that letter lightly.”

Mercedes-Benz AG Boards of Management, Marketing, and Sales Member Britta Seeger stated, “The EQS is a milestone on the way to CO₂-neutrality and our plan for a climate-neutral new car fleet. Our goal is to minimize our impact on the planet. We do this, for example, by using an increasing proportion of recycled and renewable raw materials. We also help the customer to minimize their carbon footprint with our new function Green Charging. This feeds as much green electricity back into the grid as the Mercedes-EQ needs to charge.”

With a new cd-best value of 0.202, the EQS is considered as the most aerodynamic production car in the world. It is also one of the best vehicles in terms of quiet running due to its very low wind noise level.

The EQS also presents a good value for recuperation. The maximum declaration in the DAuto recuperation program of 5 m/s² to 3 m/s² is attained by recuperation (2 m/s² by the wheel brakes). This enables the vehicle to slow down to a standstill without using the brake pedal. Once the car detects another vehicle ahead, deceleration will be applied until they come to a standstill. The EQS also features an intelligent energy recovery with three levels and coast function that can be set through the paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

The powertrain generates a maximum power output of 385kW and musters a range of up to 770 km. Mercedes-EQ is also planning to launch a performance version with up to 560 kW. EQS comes with an electric powertrain (eATS) that is located on the rear axle. An additional eATS at the front axle is equipped on the 4MATIC variants.

The launch of the EQS also paved the way for a new generation of batteries with higher energy density. The larger battery has a usable energy content of 107.8 kWh, which is around 26% more than the EQC. Updates on the battery management software can be enabled over the air (OTA).

At fast-charging stations with direct current, the EQS can be charged with up to 200kW. It can be charged with up to 22kW with AC at home or at public charging stations using the on-board charger. Some intelligent charging programs can be activated depending on the location. For example, in Japan, bidirectional charging or charging in both directions is possible with the EQS.

Mercedes-Benz ensures that renewable energy is used for charging current from Mercedes me Charge. Currently, Mercedes-Benz has over 500,000 charging points in 31 countries. In Europe, all Mercedes Me Charge customers are eligible for a free one-year use of the fast charging network through Ionity unlimited.

The EQS gets a navigation system with electric intelligence that presents the most convenient route and charging stops. The MBUX Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment display shows whether the available battery capacity is enough to go back to the starting point without having to recharge. The estimated charging costs are also calculated.

To create a distinction from combustion engines, the EQS is designed with one-bow lines and cab-forward style with fastback. Its chiseled surface, reduced joints, and seamless transition were derived from the design philosophy of Sensual Purity and Progressive Luxury.

Daimler Group Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener said, “With our EQS, we have created a completely new, future generation of luxury cars. Based on our style of sensual purity, we create desire by combining a beautifully seductive sculpture with the most progressive proportion. Key features such as the 'one-bow' design and a holistically integrated, highly reduced and seamless styling gives the EQS its sporty and progressive look. That's what sets it apart from any other vehicle we have ever created — that's what makes our EQS so extraordinary.”

The EQS comes with innovative headlights that are connected by a light band. It also features the “Black Panel” radiator grille with central Mercedes star that can be modified to a three-dimensional star pattern. The pattern is derived from the original star of the Daimler-Motorengesellschaft.

New vehicle features can be activated on the EQS through OTA updates. EQS owners can unlock two special driving programs for young drivers and service staff, some mini games, and “The Best or Nothing” demo program.

The EQS also comes with the Energizing Air Control Plus system that improves the vehicle’s air quality using filtration, sensors, a display concept, and air conditioning. It is equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter that has a very high filtration level for trapping fine particles, micro-particles, and pollen. The filter also has an activated charcoal coating that reduces sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and odors. It also has an ability to clean the interior air before getting into the vehicle through the pre-entry climate control. The MBUX displays the particulate levels outside and inside the car. It also shows suggestions on what to do if the quality of the outside air is low, like closing the side windows or the sunroof.

Automatic comfort doors are also available as an option for the EQS. The driver’s door opens automatically once it detects the driver approaching the vehicle. The driver can also open the rear doors through the MBUX.

The EQS is equipped with up to 350 sensors that monitor distances, speed and accelerations, lighting conditions, precipitation and temperature, seat occupancy, and even the driver’s blink of an eye or the passenger’s voice.

The vehicle also comes with a Burmester surround system combined with Silver Waves and Vivid Flux soundscapes that can be activated on the central display. Another soundscape can be unlocked via OTA technology. For a more realistic on-board sound experience, the EQS comes with three Energizing Nature programs such as Forest Glade, Sound of the Sea, and Summer Rain. These calming sounds were arranged in consultation with acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton. The Energizing Comfort system also provides different lighting moods and images for a more relaxing ride.

The vehicle’s standard rear-axle steering has a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees, which can be upgraded up to 10 degrees through the OTA technology. This allows the EQS to achieve a turning circle of 10.9 m.

For easier driving and maneuvering, the EQS comes with a remote parking assist feature that allows the driver to park and unpark the car through his smartphone. An optional Connect service enables the vehicle to automatically park and unpark without the driver in parking areas with AVP infrastructure.

The EQS is also equipped with an innovative digital light headlamp technology that projects guide markings and marking symbols onto the road. It also comes with two new assistance functions that show the start of a cooperative lane change and display a warning and direction instruction once Lane Keeping Assist or Blind Spot Assist detects a hazard. The digital light module provides three extremely powerful LEDS in each headlamp whose light is directed by 1.3 million micro-mirrors. This enables a resolution of more than 2.6 million pixels in each vehicle.

The vehicle’s interior features a large MBUX Hyperscreen that lies under a cover glass. The front passenger is provided with a 12.3-inch OLED display that serves as his own display and control area. Entertainment functions are available in accordance with the country-specific regulations.

The EQS is also equipped with advanced driver assistance systems including the new Attention Assist with microsleep warning function that observes the driver’s eyelid movements through a camera. The driver’s display shows the operation of the driving assistance systems in the vehicle.

The EQS follows the Integral Safety principles in particular accident safety like all other Mercedes models. It comes with a rigid passenger cell, special deformation zones, and modern restraint systems. The vehicle’s performance in additional load situations was evaluated and proven by undergoing extensive tests at the Vehicle Safety Technology Center.

“The EQS is the world's most aerodynamic production vehicle, with a drag coefficient of just 0.20. This contributes to its electric range of up to 770 kilometres according to WLTP. And with a fast-charging capacity of up to 200 kW, up to 300 kilometres of range can be added in just 15 minutes. All this, together with new battery chemistry, result in a perfect balance between performance, efficiency, range and ease of charging. And its technology goes beyond electric driving: Thanks to its comprehensive sensor technology and intelligence, the EQS sees practically everything around it and becomes a co-pilot. Our customers therefore get more comfort both on long-distance trips and in large, busy cities,” Mercedes-Benz Cars Chief Operating Officer Markus Schafer stated.

To learn more about the new EQS luxury sedan, check out the spec chart below:

SPECIFICATIONS	EQS 450+	EQS 580 4MATIC
Drive System Layout	Rear-wheel	All-wheel
Electric Motor	Permanently Excited Synchronous Motor (PSM)	Permanently Excited Synchronous Motor (PSM)
Maximum Powertrain Output (kW)	245	385
Maximum Torque Transmission Output (Nm)	568	855
0-100 km/h Acceleration	6.2 seconds	4.3 seconds
Top Speed (km/h)	210	210
Usable Battery Energy Content (kWh)	107.8	107.8
Rated Voltage (Volts)	396	396
Energy Recovery Capacity (kW)	186	290
On-board Charger (kW)	Standard: 11 Option: 22	Standard: 11 Option: 22
AC Charging Time	Standard: 10 hours Option: 5 hours	Standard: 10 hours Option: 5 hours
DC Charging Time	31 minutes	31 minutes
DC Charging Capacity (kW)	200	200
DC Charging in 15 Minutes (km)	Up to 300	Up to 280
CO2 Emissions (g/km)	0	0
Length x Width x Height (mm)	5,216 x 1,926 x 1,512	5,216 x 1,926 x 1,512
Track (mm)	Front: 1,667 Rear: 1,682	Front: 1,667 Rear: 1,682
Boot Capacity (L)	610 to 1,770	610 to 1,770
Weight in Roadworthy Condition (kg)	2,480	2,585
Payload (kg)	465 to 545	475 to 550
Perm. Gross Vehicle Weight (kg)	2,945 to 3,025	3,060 to 3,135
cd Value From	0.209	0.209

 

Photos from Mercedes-Benz

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