Mercedes-Benz’s electric sub-brand Mercedes-EQ earlier this week revealed its first all-electric luxury sedan in grand style with help from pop music superstar Alicia Keys and blockbuster filmmaker James Cameron. The EQS is the first model based on the company’s modular EVA (electric vehicle architecture) for luxury- and executive-class EVs. The company has high hopes for the car at the top of its electric range.

”The EQS is designed to exceed the expectations of even our most demanding customers,” said Ola Källenius, CEO of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG. “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.”

Aimed at the class-leading Tesla Model S and soon-to-launch entries from new OEMs like the Lucid Air, the first models will be the EQS 450+ and EQS 580 4Matic.

The EQS represents a significant step in the corporate Mercedes-Benz Ambition 2039 initiative that plans for a carbon-neutral new car fleet within 20 years. By 2030, the company wants more than half of the cars it sells to feature fully electric and plug-in hybrid drives.

In many areas, the new EQS is designed to be more sustainable, produced with resource-saving materials such as carpets made from recycled yarn. Mercedes-Benz says it is considering the entire value chain, from development and the supplier network to its own production. The company has had its climate protection targets confirmed by the SBTI (Science Based Targets Initiative).

 

Vehicle architecture and design

Although the EQS is said to be a close relative of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, it is built on a new electric architecture that will underpin a number of new models.

“Our electric initiative is in full swing,” said Christoph Starzynski, Vice-President Electric Vehicle Architecture. “With the EQE business saloon and the SUV variants of the EQS and EQE, further models based on the new architecture will follow soon.”

The new base helped to make for a unique EQS design, with its “one-bow” lines and cab-forward fastback design clearly distinguishing it from combustion engine models. The design philosophy of Sensual Purity, combined with Progressive Luxury, is reflected in the design’s sculpted surfaces, reduced joints, and seamless transitions, say designers.

“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,” said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Daimler Group. “That’s what sets it apart from any other vehicle we have ever created.”

The vehicle is 5216 mm (205.4 in) long, 1926 mm (75.8 in) wide, and 1512 mm (59.5 in) tall. For the U.S., the length is 5265 mm (207.3 in). Boot capacity by measurements is 610-1770 L (21.5-62.5 ft³). EC-measured mass ranges from 2480 to 2585 kg (5470 to 5700 lb), with a payload of 465 to 550 kg (1025 to 1210 lb), for total gross vehicle numbers of 2945 to 3135 kg (6490 to 6910 lb). That’s hefty!

The meticulous detail work of company aerodynamicists, in close cooperation with designers, resulted in a best-in-class aerodynamic Cd value of 0.20—the 450+ with the 19-inch AMG wheel/tire combination available in the EU from the end of 2021 in SPORT driving mode. The 550 4Matic comes in at 0.209. (Tesla claims 0.208 Cd for the latest Model S refresh.) The good aero numbers benefit range and quiet running, with very low wind noise levels.

The front of the car features innovative headlights connected by a light band and the Black Panel “radiator grille.” The panel features a central Mercedes star that can be enhanced with an optional three-dimensional star pattern in conjunction with AMG Line or Electric Art exterior trims. The design picks up on the original star of the Daimler-Motorengesellschaft registered trademark from 1911.

The headlamps get Digital Light technology (standard from the Advanced Plus equipment level) that enables guide markings or warning symbols to be projected onto the road. Assistance functions, where legally allowed, display the start of the “cooperative” lane change and provide a warning/direction instruction if lane-keeping assist or blind-spot assist detect hazards. The special light module has three extremely powerful LEDs in each headlamp, whose light is refracted and directed by 1.3 million micro-mirrors each.

The EQS features up to 350 sensors, depending on the equipment. These sense distances, speeds, accelerations, lighting conditions, precipitation, temperatures, seat occupancy, as well as the driver’s eye blink eye and passengers’ speech. This wealth of information is processed by control units that, controlled by algorithms, make quick decisions and expand capabilities based on new experiences thanks to artificial intelligence (AI).

It is the first Mercedes to offer the option of OTA (over-the-air) updates for new feature and performance upgrades in many functional areas. This means that following the purchase and initial new-car configuration, some of the features of the car can be adapted to personal preferences.

In addition to the classic purchase of individual functions, subscriptions, temporary activations, and free test phases are also planned.

 

Electric performance

EQS technical data, concerning efficiency, range, output, torque, recuperation, and performance is provisional, according to Mercedes, calculated internally but in accordance with applicable certification methods. Confirmed TÜV figures, EC type approval, and conformity certification with official figures are not yet available.

In the all-important area of EV range, the EQS gets up to 770 km (478 mi). Combined electrical consumption numbers are 20.4-15.7 kW·h/100 km for the EQS 450+ and 21.8-17.4 kW·h/100 km for the EQS 580 4matic. Both are WLTP measurements.

The rear-wheel-drive EQS 450+ has peak outputs of 245 kW and 568 N·m (419 lb·ft) for acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.2 s. Maximums for the all-wheel-drive EQS 580 are 385 kW and 855 N·m (631 lb·ft) for the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.3 s.

They both share an electronically limited 210-km/h (130-mph) top speed, usable WLTP battery energy content of 107.8 kW·h, 396-V rated electrical system voltage, and PSM (permanently excited synchronous motor) types for propulsion.

A performance version of the EQS is being planned with up to 560 kW. It will compete against the top 760-kW Tesla Model S and 805-kW Lucid Air.

On the chassis front, standard rear-axle steering of up to 4.5° contributes to better handling dynamic impressions. A rear-axle steering angle of up to ten degrees can be ordered and activated by an over-the-air (OTA) software upgrade can enable a turning circle of just 10.9 m (35.8 ft) for the over 5-m-long EQS.

 

Energy management

The EQS marks the launch of a new generation of Mercedes batteries with partner CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd.) having significantly higher energy density. The larger of the two batteries at market launch has a usable energy content of 107.8 kW·h, which is around 26% more than that for the currently available EQC 400 4Matic crossover.

The battery management software, developed in-house, allows for OTA updates. In terms of the cell chemistry, the cobalt content of the cathodes has been reduced to 10%.

Most battery charging specs are similar for the two initial EQS models.

They share 11-kW standard and 22-kW optional onboard chargers, with a 10-100% full charge at a wall box or public charging station, with an AC connection having at least 11/22 kW and 16/32 A per phase, at 10 and 5 h, respectively. The charging time, for a 10-80% full charge at a DC quick charging station, with a supply voltage of 400 V and current of at least 500 A, is 31 min. At a maximum DC charging capacity of 200 kW, 15 min yields up to 300 or 280 km (186 or 174 mi), respectively, according to the WLTP.

In some markets like Japan, bidirectional charging to and from the vehicle will be possible. In addition, there are various intelligent charging programs that can be activated automatically depending on the location or for battery-saving charging techniques.

Mercedes-Benz guarantees that energy from renewable energy sources is fed into the grid sourced via Mercedes me Charge. This so-called Green Charging has been an integral part of Mercedes me Charge since 2021. At certain stations (initially at the Ionity fast-charging stations throughout Europe), Mercedes me Charge can ease the charging process; a user can open the flap, plug in, and the current starts flowing with the Plug & Charge capabiity.

Other highlights include the densest network of charging points, with more than 500,000 of them in 31 countries, including over 200,000 in Europe. With Ionity Unlimited, all European Mercedes me Charge customers can use the fast-charging network free of charge for one year.

To maximize range on the go, a deceleration energy recuperation (DAuto) program allows up to 5 m/s², 3 m/s² achieved by recuperation and 2 m/s² by the wheel brakes. This allows decelerating to a standstill without using the brake pedal, and range benefits from this recuperation strategy. The high maximum energy recovery capacity is 186 to 290 kW.

Intelligent energy recovery is situation-optimized with the aid of ECO Assist and acts with foresight, taking into account traffic conditions or topography, among other things. The driver also can set three energy recovery levels and the coast function via paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

 

Occupant experience

Entering the EQS is possible with optional automatic comfort doors at the front and rear—a feature that will be enabled after the car’s market launch. When the driver approaches the car, the door handle extends and the door opens automatically.

The highlight in the interior is the MBUX Hyperscreen, the large, curved display that sweeps almost from A-pillar to A-pillar comprising three screens under a cover glass.

“The Hyperscreen and [its] zero-layer concept show how stylish, individual, and at the same time simple the operation of even complex content can be,” said Sajjad Khan, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG and CTO.

The system runs on high-performance, energy-efficient Nvidia GPUs for AI processing and sharp graphics. The deep neural networks powering the system process datasets such as vehicle position, cabin temperature, and time of day to prioritize certain features—like entertainment or points of interest recommendations—while always keeping navigation at the center of the display.

Using the Nvidia technology-enabled Mercedes-Benz engineers to consolidate components into one AI platform—with three separate screens under one glass surface—to simplify the architecture while creating more space to add new features. Tech specs of the unit include 8 CPU cores, 24-GB RAM, and 46.4 GB/s RAM memory bandwidth.

Mercedes-Benz took a comprehensive approach to air quality in the EQS with Energizing Air Control Plus. The system is based on filtration, sensors, display concept, and air conditioning. The HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter has a high filtration level that enables it to trap fine particles, micro-particles, pollen, and other substances that enter with the outside air. Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and odors are also reduced thanks to an activated charcoal coating. The filter is also OFI-certified for filtration of viruses and bacteria.

Using pre-entry climate control, occupants can clean the interior air before they get into the vehicle. The particulate levels outside and inside the vehicle are also displayed in MBUX. They can be viewed in detail in the dedicated air quality menu. If the quality of the outside air is low, the system can also recommend closing the side windows and sliding sunroof.

The interior experience is augmented by a variety of customizable soundscapes. In combination with the Burmester surround sound system, there are two soundscapes called Silver Waves and Vivid Flux, and another can be unlocked through an OTA update. An interactive driving sound can also be reproduced via the sound system’s loudspeakers.

Three Energizing Nature programs—Forest Glade, Sound of the Sea, and Summer Rain—provide an immersive and realistic onboard sound experience. These calming sounds were created in consultation with acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton. As with the other programs for Energizing Comfort, lighting moods and images are used to address other senses.

 

Safety and driving assistance

Like all other Mercedes, the EQS features a rigid passenger cell, special deformation zones, and state-of-the-art restraint systems. The car’s all-electric architecture opened up new design possibilities for safety.

For example, the battery is in a crash-protected area in the underbody. Because there is no large internal combustion engine block, behavior in a frontal crash could be better modeled.

On the automated driving system side, sensors that monitor the vehicle’s surroundings can help the driver with maneuvering in many areas.

“Thanks to its comprehensive sensor technology and intelligence, the EQS sees practically everything around it and becomes a co-pilot,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG Boards of Management; Daimler Group Research and COO Mercedes-Benz Cars. “Our customers therefore get more comfort both on long-distance trips and in large, busy cities.”

The driver can park and unpark the car via smartphone using Remote Parking Assist. With the pre-installation for the Intelligent Park Pilot, the EQS is prepared for SAE Level 4 Automated Valet Parking (AVP). If equipped with the optional extra and corresponding Connect service, the vehicle has the technology on board to park and unpark fully automatically and without the driver in car parks equipped with AVP infrastructure, provided that national laws allow such operation. Read more on this here.

The latest generation of driver assistance systems includes numerous support functions. A new one is the microsleep warning from Attention Assist. It analyses the driver’s eyelid movements through a camera on the driver’s display in conjunction with MBUX Hyperscreen.

With the optional Drive Pilot, the EQS will be able to drive in conditionally automated mode at up to 60 km/h (37 mph) where traffic density is high or on suitable motorway sections, initially in Germany. The system enables drivers to undertake secondary activities (where legal) such as browsing on the Internet or dealing with emails in the In-Car Office.