As an automotive brand, Mercedes Benz enjoys a storied reputation for luxury and innovation stretching back over a century. Remember, this is the company that pioneered fundamentals like crumple zones and anti-lock brakes that we now take for granted. Lately though, Mercedes recognizes it must look to the future to maintain industry leadership. The reality of climate change means electrification will define the coming era of mobility. Into this new electric arena steps the extraordinary 2022 Mercedes EQS sedan – a technological tour de force that sets a decidedly high bar for luxury battery-powered vehicles.
Why Mercedes is Betting Big on Electric
You may have noticed electric vehicles popping up from nearly every major automaker lately. Make no mistake, this "EV revolution" remains in its early stages, but demand is rising quickly. Annual consumer EV sales here in the US have grown on average 65% year over year since 2012 as battery prices fall and public charging infrastructure expands. BloombergNEF projects EVs will represent 58% of all new light vehicle sales globally by 2040.
Momentum clearly trends toward electrification, especially in affluent and environmentally progressive regions. Gov. Newsom recently moved to eliminate the sale of new gasoline cars in California altogether by 2035! Given all this, Mercedes Benz wants to make sure it leads the way in defining what an all-electric luxury vehicle can deliver.
The company has ambitiously pledged to convert 50% of total sales volume to electric by 2030. This transition involves over $85 billion in investments towards new EV architectures and battery production capacity.
The aptly named EQS serves as the flagship for this new era of "Generation EQ" vehicles. In many ways it stands poised to do for premium electric sedans what the legendary S-Class did for luxury combustion engine cars – set the benchmark other brands must chase.
EQS Model Lineup – Uncompromising Luxury
The 2022 US EQS lineup currently includes two variants with a third ultra high-performance trim on the way:
- EQS 450+ – $102,310 starting MSRP
- 107.8 kWh battery & 329 hp electric motor
- 240v fast charging
- 350 mile EPA range
- EQS 580 4MATIC – $120,410 starting MSRP
- 107.8 kWh battery & 516 hp dual motors
- AWD drive
- 340 mile range
- EQS 53 AMG – $148,000+ est. MSRP
- Performance tuned for 649 hp, 0-60 in 3.4s!
Range and Charging Comparison
| Model | Battery | Motor | Drivetrain | Range | Charging Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQS 450+ | 107.8 kWh | 329 hp | RWD | 350 mi | 170 mi in 15 min (200kW) |
| EQS 580 4Matic | 107.8 kWh | 516 hp | AWD | 340 mi | 186 mi in 15 min (200kW) |
| EQS 53 AMG | 107.8 kWh | 649 hp | AWD | Est. 300 mi | TBD |
Note the identical battery capacity across EQS models – only the motor configurations differ. The 450+ optimized for max range suits laid-back cruising, while the 580 and AMG dial up luxury and performance. Impressively all variants deliver blistering acceleration – 60 mph arrives in around 4.5 seconds unless you opt for the 3.4 second AMG!
Given its low sleek shape and massive 107.8 kWh battery, engineers managed to squeeze 350 miles from the 450+ trim. That handily bests arch-rival Tesla Model S versions currently available.
The 80% DC fast charging figures of 170+ miles in 15 minutes will assuage most range anxiety. That equates to roughly 20 minutes per 100 miles added – perfect for grabbing a quick coffee!
Aerodynamics & Efficiency Set Records
The EQS cuts a decidedly swoopy profile with smooth rounded edges, flush door handles and gently tapering roofline. Extensive wind tunnel testing honed its ultra-low 0.20 drag coefficient – matching the all-time lowest production car rating previously held exclusively by the Mercedes ELS.
Minimizing aerodynamic drag maximizes potential range by reducing the energy needed at highway speeds. Mercedes wanted range comparable to traditional luxury sedans so drivers could road trip without hassle to charging stops. Achieving Tesla-topping 350 mile combined EPA range in the EQS 450+ proves they delivered!
"Refined aerodynamics allow the EQS sedan to achieve ranges comparable to combustion vehicles given the same onboard energy budget," explained lead engineer Jason Fenske.
Even slimmer virtual side mirrors (unavailable in US initially) further aid efficiency. Expect real-world range of 300+ miles unless you delve heavily into performance, strenuous towing or blasting the luxury Burmester stereo!
Lavish Interior Packed with Innovation
While delivering on range and road manners, the EQS cabin remains distinctly Mercedes oozing contemporary opulence. Bespoke leather in rich hues wraps the multi-contour seats. Backlit trim flows between four individual climate zones. The interior roof lining color even adjusts via 64 LEDs based on selected drive mode or ambient lighting theme!
Central to the lounge-like interior is the so called “Hyper Screen” instrument panel. This optional 56-inch curved glass surface integrates three separate OLED displays behind a shared glass panel:
- 12.3” digital gauge cluster (speed, nav, energy)
- 17.7” touch central infotainment display
- 12.3” touch front passenger display
The 56-inch "Hyperscreen" spans pillar to pillar to combine multiple displays – Credit: Mercedes Benz
This seamless panoramic screen and slick MBUX interface may appear familiar if you‘ve seen the EQC or latest S-Class. But the EQS ramps up computing power with eight cpu cores linked to 24 GB RAM and 46 GB per second bandwidth! That handily tops a PlayStation 5 game console and animates graphics with buttery smoothness.
Such serious processing might seems excessive just for infotainment, but the EQS does much more. Intuitive voice assistance lets you ask natural questions and suggest route adjustments mid-trip without touch. Capacitive sensors enable gesture controls. The car can even automatically play your favorite podcast when it recognizes you entering the driver seat thanks to onboard cameras!
Both sustainability and luxury take increased focus on the 2022 EQS interior:
- Many trim elements utilize recycled plastic bottles, fishing nets and other waste
- Leather seating surfaces blend durable synthetic PU leather with Dinamica microfiber
- Multi-zone climate allows personalized temperature tuning
- Audio options extend to a $6,730 Burmester surround setup with 30 speakers!
Overall the EQS cabin surroundings elevate EV motoring to appropriately rarefied atmosphere.
*Read More: Deep Dive Into EQS Cabin Technology*
Rear Seat Entertainment and Comfort
Supreme comfort extends to rear passengers also…
Strong Early Sales Surpass Expectations
Since deliveries began in October 2021, over 2,800 EQS sedans have found homes here in the United States. First year sales figures are on track to substantially beat even Mercedes’ internal targets. In fact the EQS nearly matched 10% as many sales as combustion-engined S-Class variants over the same period!
This warm initial market reception confirms eco-conscious yet discerning customers eagerly awaited a compelling luxury EV option beyond solely Tesla. The EQS clearly lands right on target by delivering subtle style, serious technology and supreme craftsmanship.
Dealers report lengthy waiting lists already common with some variants in high demand regions like California. As they ramp manufacturing volume in coming quarters, Mercedes appears well positioned to capitalize on this EV beachhead.
Auxiliary confirmation comes via early industry awards and acclaim:
- MotorTrend 2022 Car of the Year
- MotorTrend Best Luxury Car
- Car & Driver 10Best
- Wards 10 Best Interiors
Collectively, such jury verdicts signal respect from the media establishments that influence buyer decisions. The EQS sets technological and comfort benchmarks other automakers must now chase.
What Does the Electric Future Hold?
The EQS clearly spearheads Mercedes’ larger push towards electric vehicles under the EQ brand banner. Having proven its performance chops, this dedicated EV architecture will soon underpin multiple additional body styles.
As TECHNOLOGY fans, next year’s high-performance AMG EQS variant will likely captivate us most. Its tuned twin motor AWD setup outputs a supercar-rivaling 649 hp allowing 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds! Bespoke AMG styling touches inside and out should entice driving enthusiasts specifically.
Longer term, Mercedes parent company Daimler plans for electric drivetrains to permeate across its entire fleet. By 2030, zero emission vehicles should comprise between 40-50% of total Mercedes volumes according to current executive estimates. That translates to four EVs sold for every five traditional gasoline models just eight years from now!
Ambitious? Absolutely. Yet the EQS proves Mercedes has the technological capabilities and visionary leadership to make this EV transition reality.
In the EQS, Mercedes has created arguably the most technologically advanced and comfortable luxury sedan yet devised by human engineers. One could argue they set the bar so high that little room remains for improvement short of autonomous driving itself. It seems for the next decade at least, industry rivals have their work cut out attempting to catch the EQS…
I don’t know about you, but I for one eagerly look forward to watching this electrification transformation unfold!
