Mercedes-AMG EQS53 4Matic+ (left) and EQS450+.
Mercedes-Benz has officially launched the EQS, its all-new electric flagship, in Singapore.
The EQS is the first all-electric flagship of any brand to be launched here (the iX is BMW’s tech flagship).
Those in the market for a limousine with a pure electric drivetrain who still want to see what rivals are offering can wait till the BMW i7 arrives. It is expected later this year.
Now back to this Mercedes: Two variants of the Mercedes EQS are available at launch: the Mercedes-EQ EQS450+ and the Mercedes-AMG EQS53 4Matic+.
The former variant will offer a total power output of 329bhp and 565Nm of torque, all sent to its rear wheels. A 107.8kWh battery comes with this EQS, allowing the car to reach a maximum WLTP range of 762km.
EQS450+.
The latter variant, the Mercedes-AMG EQS53, also has the same battery. However, electric motors at both axles here will deliver a peak of 649bhp, with a total of 751bhp available if the car’s Boost function is activated when set into its Race Start mode.
Peak torque from the drivetrain in this variant is 950Nm, although it also maxes out at 1020Nm in the aforementioned mode.
This performance allows the Mercedes-AMG EQS53 to dispatch the zero to 100km/h sprint in a mere 3.8 seconds, or 3.4 seconds when Race Start mode and the Boost function is activated. WLTP range for this variant stands at 570km.
EQS53 4Matic+.
EQS: CHARGING
The 107.8kWh battery in both cars can be charged at a maximum of 200kW via a direct current charger, allowing both cars to be fully topped up in just 31 minutes.
Charging via alternating current meanwhile, is capped at 11kW as standard (though a 22kW option is available). Mercedes states that this battery will additionally retain a minimum of 70% of its capacity after a 10-year use term, or after 250,000km.
The EQS does not look similar to Mercedes’ internal combustion-powered flagship, the S-Class. Instead, it adopts a coupe-like silhouette with a bow-like form that stretches across the glasshouse. This placement of the A-pillar far ahead of the car, and the C-pillar further behind, helps ensure generous space.
This design also allows the EQS to slip through the air with minimal resistance. The Mercedes-Benz EQS450+ comes with a 0.20 drag coefficient, which Mercedes claims makes it the most aerodynamic production car in the world. This figure is 0.23 for the Mercedes-AMG EQS53.
The EQS450+ features a tablet-like 12.8-inch infotainment display.
DESIGN AND STYLING
Exterior visual highlights for the Mercedes EQS include the use of Mercedes’ Digital Light technology in its head lights, which combines a total of 1.3 million micro-mirrors in each headlamp to deliver as precise a light distribution on the road ahead as is possible.
These headlights flank a blacked out “radiator grille”, which sports Mercedes star pattern on the EQS450+ and vertical chrome slats in the EQS53.
Both models have flush-fitting door handles. Meanwhile, the EQS450+ will get 21-inch light-alloy wheels, while the EQS53 comes with 22-inch aerodynamically optimised multi-spoke rims finished in matte black.
Inside, the EQS450+ has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, alongside a 12.8-inch tablet-like infotainment screen. The AMG EQS53, on the other hand, comes with Mercedes’ MBUX Hyperscreen, which combines a total of three screens across a 56-inch glass panel.
EQS450+ buyers can equip their car with the Hyperscreen, although this will be a $38,000 option. The EQS models are bundled together with a 10-year full servicing package, alongside a 10-year warranty for the electric drivetrain.
The EQS450+ currently starts from $527,888, while the AMG EQS53 4Matic+ starts from $753,888. Both figures include COE, and are correct as of 28 July 2022.
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