Mercedes EQS: Everything vertical

The electric Mercedes EQS has so far offered very little luxury. A small design matching intervention should change that. In addition, the flagship sedan received a technology update almost three years after its market launch.

The most significant visual change: The classic star moves from the radiator grille back to the hood – in a vertical shape that was recently reserved for the standard-running S-Class in the Mercedes portfolio. The highly refined EQS is clearly successful and a little closer to the brand’s high-end style.

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There are also some minor changes in the interior, such as galvanized chrome frames for the ventilation nozzles on the B-pillar or the rear passenger seat that can be folded down optionally to increase the free space in the back seat. of passengers. There are also now better executive seats, which should silence previous criticism of the lack of business class comfort in the upper level.

In the battery compartment under the passenger, the maximum battery power increases from 108.4 to 118 kWh, which ensures a noticeable increase in range for all variants. The most economical model, the EQS 450+, will now travel up to 822 km instead of the previous 780 km – currently a record on the German market. At the same time, Mercedes has increased the trailer load: instead of a manageable 750 kg, the luxury glider can now carry 1,700 kg on the hook.

More innovation concerns driver assistance systems. Adaptive cruise control now also handles automatic lane changes and automatically passes slower vehicles ahead. The requirement is a road with at least two lanes with recognizable signs and a speed between 80 and 140 km/h.

Mercedes wants to keep the price at the current level; the basic version of the electric sedan is currently available for around 110,000 euros. The sweeping measures are aimed at boosting global demand for the Stuttgart-based company’s electric luxury car, which has so far fallen short of the group’s expectations. The reform comes at an opportune time: With new rivals from China in mind, competition in the luxury electric segment could be fiercer in the future.