Like many automakers, Mercedes-Benz is at the moment present process a metamorphosis. With more and more stringent emissions and gasoline financial system guidelines set to enter impact over the approaching years, manufacturers all through the trade are directing unbelievable quantities of cash and engineering muscle at powertrain electrification and EV platform improvement. Mercedes objectives are extra bold than most, although, with the corporate focusing on a completely electrical lineup not just for Mercedes-Benz, but additionally its high-performance AMG subdivision, in addition to its ultra-luxury Maybach model by 2030although that plan comes with a where market conditions will allow caveat.
The EQS line represents the companys opening volley within the full-size luxurious EV phase, and its clear from the luxurious facilities and the array of applied sciences onboard our check automotive that the corporate is taking this small-but-growing phase significantly. And as the sport plan within the car-making enterprise usually goes, the stuff onboard todays flagship will make its method into extra accessible automobiles as time goes on. For instance, new iterations of the S-Class have typically foreshadowed whats coming for manufacturers E-Class and C-Class automobiles down the street, and within the case of the EQS, it previews a number of the {hardware} that we are able to anticipate to see within the less expensive models which are on the best way.
After per week spent with this electrical luxurious sedan, we are able to say that the longer term does certainly look promising. But within the case of the EQS particularly, it looks as if Mercedes is extra focused on interesting to present high-end EV house owners than bringing conventional luxurious automotive consumers into the fray, and that design philosophy is a sword that cuts each methods.
The fundamentals
The exterior of the EQS 580 is a showcase of technical prowess. The vehicles form is owed to an intensive quantity of aerodynamic testing, efforts that resulted in a slippery 0.20 drag coefficient thats probably the greatest within the trade immediately. Standard 21-inch wheels and AMG Line exterior accents give the bodywork extra character, however the teardrop silhouette is what actually defines the look of the EQS. We like how streamlined and distinctive it’s, however aesthetics additionally are typically a largely subjective endeavor.
On the powertrain entrance, a pair of AC permanent-magnet synchronous electrical motors ship 516 horsepower and 631 pound-feet of torque to all 4 wheels whereas a 107.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack gives up 340 miles of vary. The EQS can recharge at 9.6 kW on AC or 200 kW on a DC quick charger, the latter of which is able to convey the battery pack from a ten p.c cost state to one hundred pc in 31 minutes. Mercedes-Benz has additionally partnered up with Electrify America to offer new EQS house owners two years of complimentary charging at their stations.
The large sedan rides on an air suspension thats paired with adaptive dampers for a higher vary of adjustability. Rear-axle steering additionally comes normal, and the system supplies as much as 10 levels of steering angle to scale back the automobiles turning circle throughout low pace maneuvers. At speeds above 37 MPH the rear wheels steer in section with the entrance wheels to offer extra responsive dealing with and enhance excessive pace stability.
An array of security options like Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Steering Assist, and Active Blind Spot Assist are additionally a part of the deal, together with a surround-view digital camera system that makes positioning the automotive in tight parking spots simpler.
The Hyperscreen
Thats all spectacular stuff, however the cabin is the place the EQS 580 actually stakes its declare within the full-size luxurious EV house. The centerpiece is what Mercedes-Benz has dubbed the Hyperscreen, a trio of shows that consists of a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster in entrance of the motive force, a legitimately beautiful 17.7-inch OLED heart infotainment show, and a further 12.3-inch touchscreen for the entrance passenger, all of that are housed behind a single piece of glass.
The companys newest MBUX software program manages the proceedings and gives wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto help, and a Burmester 3D {surround} sound audio system additionally comes as normal.
The Hyperscreen and MBUX interface are a pleasure to make use of, providing quick enter response, an intuitive menu structure, and beautiful graphics, and thats significantly vital as a result of the vast majority of the automobiles options are accessed via that interface.
[Related: Fords electric Mustang Mach-E is an important leap into the future]
The drawback is, the opposite controls discovered contained in the automotive are all capacitive contact surfaces moderately than bodily buttons and knobs. That helps the inside of the EQS 580 obtain an uncluttered, futuristic vibe not not like what youd discover in a Tesla Model S. But in observe it additionally makes it extra cumbersome to, as an illustration, decrease the amount or skip the present audio monitor than it will be if typical controls have been current. (Actions like these happen by way of contact sliders on the steering wheel, or on the middle show, or each.) This is a distinct method from what Ford has taken on the Mustang Mach-E, for instance, which nonetheless retains a bodily quantity knob.
We warmed as much as it a bit over time, however changes nonetheless not often landed the place we wished them to whereas in movement and infrequently required taking our eyes off of the street with a view to get issues sorted. In some methods it speaks to a bigger mindset thats targeted on interesting to expectations of present high-end EV house owners versus these of mainstream consumers who could also be contemplating making the leap to an electrical car.
Performance
The EQS is kind of positioned because the S-Class of the Mercedes-Benz EV lineup, and as such, its extra targeted on cocooning its occupants in opulent consolation than delivering an exciting driving expertise. The air suspension is softly tuned, and that compliance successfully absorbs all the imperfections discovered all through LAs system of ramshackle roadways. Theres a trade-off for that comfortable journey high quality, thoughout on the twisting tarmac of the Angeles National Forest the dealing with of this nearly-three-ton sedan isnt significantly impressed, even when the dampers are firmed up within the automobiles Sport drive mode. But thats a process higher suited to the AMG model anyway.
Although it doesnt pull like a Porsche Taycan Turbo S or the absurdly-quick Tesla Model S Plaid, the EQS 580 has greater than sufficient grunt to get the job achieved. In truth, wed most likely be superb with the less-powerful EQS 450 underneath most circumstances, which makes 329 horsepower and gives roughly the identical quantity of vary. But its laborious to complain about an overabundance of energy, and the EQS 580 responds immediately while you drop the hammer. Thanks to the deep nicely of torque on faucet and the all-wheel drive grip, passing slower visitors is really easy underneath virtually any circumstance.
While now we have a number of nits to select with the EQS 580, the actually vital stuffthe powertrain, the vary and charging functionality, and the infotainment techmake this automotive a compelling possibility within the luxurious EV phase. Of course, with a beginning worth of $119,110 ($133,655 as examined, with the vacation spot charge), it definitely ought to be. Perhaps extra importantly, the EQS factors the best way towards a promising EV lineup for Mercedes-Benz that can see numerous components of this tech shared amongst a spread of vehiclesand at quite a lot of worth factors.
