Mercedes EQS 2022 launches

The first luxury EV saloon from Mercedes-EQ has up to 770km range and 385kW output from its powertrain.

Prices haven’t yet been released for the Mercedes EQS which is described by some as having a futuristic spaceship-like cockpit with screens across the entire dashboard.

The EQS is also the first model to be based on Mercedes’ modular architecture for luxury and executive-class EVs.

First models on the market will be the EQS 450+ with 245kW (19.1-16.0kWh/100km and zero CO2 emissions) and the EQS 580 4matic with 385kW (20.0-16.9kWh/100km and zero CO2 emissions).

Mercedes-Benz is working on offering a carbon-neutral new car fleet within 20 years and by 2030 the company wants more than half the cars it sells to feature electric drive systems.

The EQS is produced in a carbon-neutral manner, and resource-saving materials such as carpets made from recycled yarn are used.

Decelerating to a standstill without using the brake pedal is possible, while at the same time the range benefits from the recuperation (up to 290kW). The driver can set three energy recovery levels and the coast function via steering wheel paddle shifters.

A performance version with up to 560kW is planned.

All EQS models have an electric powertrain (eATS) at the rear axle, while the versions with 4matic also have an eATS at the front axle.

The EQS marks the launch of a new generation of batteries with significantly higher energy density. The larger of the two batteries has 107.8kWh usable energy content – about 26% more than the EQC.

Innovative battery management software allows updates over the air.

The EQS can be charged with up to 200kW at DC fast charging stations. Power for up to another 300km is recharged in 15 minutes.

At home or at public charging stations, the EQS can take up to 22kW with AC while bidirectional charging with the EQS will be possible in Japan.

Various intelligent charging programs can be activated automatically depending on the location, and functions such as particularly battery-saving charging.

The EQS has up to 350 sensors, depending on the equipment. These record distances, speed and acceleration, lighting conditions, precipitation and temperatures, seat occupancy as well as the driver’s blink of an eye or the passengers’ speech, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI).

“Our electric initiative is in full swing. With the EQE business saloon and the SUV variants of the EQS and EQE, further models based on the new architecture will follow soon,” Mercedes EV architecture vice-president Christoph Starzynski says.

Improved aerodynamics allow more range and quietness.

In 2022, eight Mercedes-EQ EV series will already be produced at seven locations on three continents.