Mercedes' new electric vehicle flagship is a technological masterpiece.

Mercedes-Benz's new electric car launched in the United States is a mess. The EQC crossover was originally scheduled to go on sale at the beginning of last year, but it was later postponed indefinitely. Instead, the company decided to start with the flagship EQS, a luxury sedan similar to the S-class that has been teasing since 2019. Mercedes fully launched EQS on Thursday, and finally released exterior photos and announced all the details, technology and specifications of the car.

After Tim Stevens had a chance to drive a prototype EQS, I interviewed some car designers and engineers, and finally spent a few hours in a static EQS ​​at a studio in Hollywood (you are in these photos See the blue) wandering around the week. After experiencing this car in person and reading all the details, I have to say that it is impressive.

EQS's "single-bow" cab forward design theme was initially previewed by the F015 concept in 2013. This is the first time that Mercedes has truly envisioned the future of luxury electric cars. Mercedes also demonstrated the Vision EQS concept in 2019. As you might expect, the production car is very close to the later concept. I think this is a good thing. Mercedes’ goal is to create an unprecedented advancement, and it is one of the first electric cars to truly change the proportion of traditional cars.

At 205.4 inches long, EQS divides the difference between the short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase versions of the new S-Class, the latter being the only version we will get in the United States. Its 126.4-inch wheelbase is slightly shorter than the LWB S-Class, and the EQS is slightly higher in height and about 1 inch narrower in width. It definitely has a sense of existence, especially because of the extra-long greenhouse, it looks different from the S-class. The EQS also has a drag coefficient of 0.20, which makes it the most aerodynamic mass-produced car in the world.

EQS has a "single bow" design with the cab forward.

The front end is dominated by a black panel "grid" connected to the triangular LED headlights, which has a three-line element, indicating that the EQS is part of the S-class series (GLS SUV also has this). The grille actually has a functional purpose because the sensors of the driver assistance system are installed behind it. In some versions of EQS, there is a pattern composed of dozens of three-pointed stars on the panel. This effect also appears in the details of some wheel designs and headlights. Chief designer Gorden Wagener compares this pattern to that of a luxury handbag and adds some visual interest to the front end. There is a light bar on the top of the panel, you can also choose EQS with bright stars.

Like other modern Mercedes models, there are hardly any hard lines on the sides of the body. "If we like it, we cancel one line; if we still like it, we cancel another line," Wagner said, which is obvious here. There is a light absorber feature line and thin chrome-plated strips at the bottom of the door, and the bottom of each EQS bumper and side skirts have dark gray or bright black trim. 

The central light bar extends across the rear end to connect to the taillights, which have a cool spiral pattern (and amber turn signals). Except for the diffuser, the back is very smooth, and the license plate holder is located in the lower bumper to organize the boot lid. Each EQS has a small lip-shaped spoiler at the bottom of the boot lid, but unfortunately you can't get the rear wiper.

Only 50 EQS cars using this dual-tone scheme will be sold.

The AMG Line package brings a more aggressive front and rear bumper design, different 21-inch wheel designs, sports seats with integrated headrests and unique foot pads. Mercedes stated that AMG Line is an EQS version with a resistance coefficient of 0.20. No type of black night package will be provided, just like other Mercedes-Benz cars.

The two EQS cars you see in these photos are Edition One models and are only available in the first year of production. Based on the EQS580 AMG series, 250 of them will be painted in special Twilight Blue, and 50 will be in two colors, Cirrus Silver and Obsidian Black. Edition One is also equipped with gorgeous Neva Grey and Stratos Blue leather, unique foot pads, rose gold interior, yacht-style walnut trim and some special badges, and it is almost fully loaded.

Mercedes announced the EQS interior a few weeks ago, but seeing it in person is another matter. The standard configuration of the basic model and higher-spec EQS ​​is Mercedes' crazy Hyperscreen, which is a display that spans the dashboard and consists of three screens under a glass panel. There is a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 17.7-inch central touch screen and a 12.3-inch passenger touch screen, adding 2.6 square feet of curved glass and 56 inches of digital space. The personal experience is really shocking. Although I did not experience it in sports, I did not find it irresistible in a static state, even when it was fully lit in a dark environment.

Hyperscreen runs the new "zero-tier" version of the Mercedes MBUX operating system, which means users can get anywhere without scrolling through a large number of sub-menus. Always located at the bottom of the center display are climate control, audio track control, and home and back buttons. The system will adjust to your situation, remember your most frequently used functions, and display them on the screen like pop-up suggestions. At first glance it seems like a lot, but compared to other Mercedes-Benz existing MBUX settings, the system is actually easier to use and get used to, and I like the force feedback on the display.

The Hyperscreen spanning the dashboard has 56 inches of digital space.

The passenger display contains all the same functions as the home screen, but the shotgun rider can also browse the web and watch the media while the car is driving. This screen can also display an animated screen saver or turn it off completely. EQS includes the MBUX voice assistant, which can now recognize multiple voices, and the fingerprint reader can be bound to different driver configuration files.

The navigation system has what Mercedes calls electric intelligence, which considers everything from driving style and speed to terrain and external temperature. When entering your destination and driving, the screen will display your current mileage and battery level, as well as the power level when you arrive. In addition to diverting to a charging station, you can also set the amount of charge when you arrive at your final destination. The car will determine where you need to charge and how long you need to charge when you get there. The route is planned based on the overall travel time, such as stopping twice at a fast charger with higher power instead of staying longer at a slower charger.

The navigation system optimizes your route based on charging.

If you don’t choose Hyperscreen, EQS’s dashboard looks similar to that of the new S-Class, with a vertical 12.8-inch touch screen rising from the center console, a separate 12.3-inch digital dashboard and one made of wood and leather. Or a large decorative board made of other cool materials (although the shape of the decorative board is more like a wing shape, even larger than an S-class car). This setup runs the same zero-layer MBUX system as Hyperscreen, and you will get all the same features.

What distinguishes EQS from S-Class is that thin vents are embedded in the metal trim that runs through the top of the dashboard and through the door panels, cool turbo-shaped vents, and open space large enough to hold a backpack or briefcase. Tall center console. There are multiple storage compartments with lids and large door pockets.

Even in Europe, EQS will not provide a four-seater setup, but the executive rear seat kit takes things to a higher level. The car I'm riding in has this bag, which seems to be easy to get. It provides an electric reclining function for the rear seat backrests, and adds massage, shoulder and neck heating, ventilation, seat belt airbags and a removable MBUX tablet to the foldable center armrest. EQS will also be equipped with a pair of MBUX touch screens on the backs of the front seats, which are not available in the US-spec S-class sedan.

The back seat is as good as you hoped.

Mercedes has not announced any internal dimensions, but there is plenty of legroom and headroom in the rear seat, even with the panoramic roof. The beautifully carved rear seats are super comfortable, and the entire cabin is well ventilated due to the large area of ​​glass and cocoon-shaped design. But to be honest, the front seats are better, with more massage functions and support cushions. It will also be a very suitable car for sleeping-it even has a Power Nap mode.

Many different interior color schemes and decorations will be provided. A car equipped with a super screen is a bit like the short end of a luxury car, only the center console and door card are decorated with wood, piano black or metal, while the basic car has a large decorative panel. But almost everything you come into contact with in EQS is covered with lovely leather, and still has satisfactory analog elements, such as vents and seat controls.

What I like most about the EQS interior is the ambient lighting. Everything from Hyperscreen surrounds and dashboard vents to seat backs and door armrests has LED light strips. Each light strip can now change color in a different part. There are a series of new color schemes, including an EQS-specific color scheme, which lights up when in motion to symbolize the energy flow of the car, and changes different colors when you accelerate or brake. These lights are also integrated with driver assistance systems and can flash red as a warning.

In terms of cargo space, EQS is indeed superior to S-class cars in terms of space. Unlike S-class cars that have traditional car trunks, EQS has an excellent back-style trunk. The hatch is powered and has an integrated retractable cargo cover. EQS's rear seats can lie almost flat-even with an executive rear seat kit-and there is a deep-covered storage box under the cargo floor. The actual size has not been announced, but I saw that EQS should be able to deal with IKEA's running errands.

Even if you get a basic model without a front motor, EQS is no problem. The space under the EQS clamshell hood is occupied by various electronic devices and a large HEPA filter (if equipped). This is where the strange port on the left front fender comes in. It's not a charging port or something related to driver assistance systems-turn it on and you can add windshield washer fluid there.

EQS is the first Mercedes-Benz model based on the brand's new EV dedicated MEA platform. There will be two models, EQS450 and EQS580, but although there are two battery pack sizes in Europe, the United States will only get a larger 107.8 kWh battery pack. The EQS450 is rear-wheel drive with an electric motor at the rear, which produces 329 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes stated that the 450 will reach 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, with a top speed of 130 mph.

The EPA range of EQS may exceed 400 miles.

The all-wheel drive EQS580 adds a second motor to the front, with a total power of 516 hp and 611 lb-ft. Its top speed is also 130 mph, but it will reach 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, only half a second slower than the upcoming AMG S63. The 580's 4Matic AWD system can variably distribute torque between the front and rear axles. Mercedes says its response speed is much faster than traditional mechanical AWD systems.

Each EQS comes standard with air suspension, which can reduce speed, and has adaptive dampers and a front lift with memory function-just like Chevrolet C8 Corvette or Porsche 911 Turbo. Rear-wheel steering of up to 4.5 degrees is standard, while the 10-degree rear-wheel steering on the S-Class is some decorative option. EQS has regenerative braking, which can be adjusted by paddles on the steering wheel, and has a true single pedal mode. It also has a smart mode that uses sensors to view the surrounding environment and adjust the amount of regeneration required when you release the throttle. 

EPA mileage data will not be released until later this year, but Mercedes claims that EQS will have a mileage of up to 478 miles in the optimistic European WLTP cycle. The EPA data is expected to be closer to the 400-mile mark, which will still put EQS at the top of the EV stack in terms of range. Tesla stated that the updated Model S can travel 520 miles per charge in the Plaid Plus mode and 412 miles in the basic mode. Although these figures have not been certified by the EPA, there is nothing other than Lucid Air. Things can be approached.

A faster EQS is coming soon.

Mercedes said that EQS can use a 110-kilowatt DC fast charger to charge from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes, or a 200-kilowatt fast charger to increase an impressive 186 miles in just 15 minutes. recharge mileage. On a traditional 240-volt wall charger, it takes less than 12 hours to fully charge the battery from 10%. EQS will be compatible with more than 90% of public charging stations in the United States.

If the 516 horsepower EQS580 is still not fast enough for you—I mean, the Model S is 2 seconds to 60 mph faster—don’t worry. AMG is developing a performance version of the Mercedes electric car, and Mercedes said that the 630-horsepower EQS version is under development.

In view of its positioning as the new flagship of Mercedes, EQS is absolutely full. Each EQS has a huge panoramic sunroof, a very fancy 360-degree camera system and automatic parking assist system, adaptive LED headlights and automatic high beams, a 15-speaker Burmester 3D sound system, heated seats, Plush headrest pillow, six USB-C ports, wireless phone charging and keyless entry.

Also standard is Mercedes' driver assistance package. This includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functions and route-based adjustments, automatic lane change, active steering assist and lane keeping assist (up to 130 mph), automatic emergency braking and avoidance assist (effective) And pedestrians and cyclists), blind spot monitoring and rear-seat exit warning, cross-traffic warning and traffic sign recognition. 

This interior is full of technology.

If this is not enough, you can add more content. Optional features include automatic door opening and closing, huge augmented reality head-up display, integrated toll system, gesture control, multi-profile front seats with massage function, HEPA air filter that makes the interior as clean as an operating room, and winter belts There are heated windshield gaskets and glass packaging to insulate heat, noise and infrared rays. 

However, S-Class has some things that EQS does not. Even if you use a separate digital instrument cluster for basic screen settings, EQS does not have the exquisite 3D instrumentation of S-Class. Even more disappointing is that EQS is not suitable for the absurd 30-speaker 4D Burmester surround sound system.

Mercedes said that EQS will go on sale in the United States this fall. Although the price has not yet been announced, a Mercedes spokesperson told me that it will be consistent with the new S-Class sedan. The EQS450 is expected to be a bit more expensive than the new S500, which is priced at US$110,850. S580 is priced at US$117,350, but I bet the starting price of EQS580 will be close to US$130,000. As with all other Mercedes models, loading EQS with the option of tens of thousands of dollars should be very easy.

Immediately after the EQS debut, a smaller EQE sedan, equivalent to an E-class sedan, will be launched later this year. Following these two sedans are two crossovers, the EQS SUV and EQE SUV, which should land in the United States sometime in 2022.