The Future Is Electric: Mercedes-EQ Pulls the Trigger
Benz’ EQS Already Here, Full Fleet of Luxury EVs to Follow through ‘22
Mercedes-Benz is in the throes of officially introducing its EQ — for Electric Intelligence — range. As you’d expect from the final letter of each car’s nomenclature, the all-new EQ range will comprise of the EQA small SUV (below), the family sized EQB SUV, and the EQC, which is a mid-sized SUV. Add the EQE as an electric business sedan, and the flagship EQS luxury sedan. That’s the S Class of electric vehicles (above). And that one’s already for sale in the US.
The Future is Electric
The company believes that the luxury vehicle market is ready for a real transformation toward electric vehicles. Buyers have taken their time, but now they have begun to follow the global trend towards electric vehicles. And Mercedes-Benz is among the first luxury carmakers to pull that EV trigger. It’s a big decision, but even in slower areas to adapt, the company is adamant that the future is electric.
Mercedes-Benz however remains well-aware that the electric vehicle infrastructure remains under-developed. In South Africa with its challenged electric grid, for example, the company has collaborated with local start-up Grid Cars, to grow, enhance and improve the local public charging network. All new Mercedes electric vehicle customers in that market will also be provided with a complementary Mercedes-EQ wall charger to be installed at a location of their choice.
“The EV landscape is not without its challenges,” dynamic new Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa President and Co-CEO Mark Raine explained over lunch at the local EQ launch. “Our customer centric growth strategy is curated towards potential EQ customers. “They are already showing significant interest in our new electric range.” The company is now fully behind the electric revolution, which now sees Mercedes-Benz following a key strategy to lead the way in electric drive and digitalization.
Mercedes is Ready for Electric Transformation
“The market is ready for an electric transformation,” Raine added “We expect that we will see a strong uptake and growth in the luxury electric vehicle market in the next 12-24 months. “We have an incredible Mercedes-EQ line-up that you will now see roll out over the coming months. “So, if you drive a Mercedes-Benz, you will very soon find an electric Mercedes to suit your every driving need”.
Taking a closer look at the Mercedes-EQ range, each will immediately be recognizable as a Mercedes. They will carry over the levels of status, quality, and comfort, as well as performance associated with the brand. The range starts with the EQA, which is a close relation to its combustion fired GLA counterpart. A compact, dynamic SUV, the 187 HP EQA 250 derivative has a combined 17.7 kWh/100 km electrical consumption and offers a 257-mile range.
Next up, the family sized EQB (above) is a compact SUV, that is once again a close relation to its combustion counterpart, the GLB. An example is the forthcoming powerful 288 HP EQB 350 4Matic derivative boasting a 265-mile range off a combined electrical consumption of 17.4 kWh/100 km. Next, EQC was Mercedes’ first production EV. Boasting a familiar silhouette, this mid-sized 400 HP AWD SUV is based on the GLC. The EQC will take you 270 miles on a single charge and has a combined electrical consumption on 21.3 kWh/100 km.
Zany Feel, Silent, Immediate Drive
We had the opportunity to take a short ride in and around Cape Town city aboard the feisty new EQC. First impression was that expected feel of Mercedes quality with a subtle, yet still zany EQ twist. Touch, feel and even that scent, are typically Mercedes. But rather than a turbodiesel rumble or the zing of petrol power, EQC (above) is silent and immediate in its driving demeanor. It was all over far too quickly, but we look forward to reporting far more on all these EQs soon.
Moving on up, the EQE is Mercedes’ take on an all-electric business sedan. The E-Class sized sedan however promises all the juicy bits from its flagship EQS sibling, but in a slightly smaller format. Significantly however, EQE will pack more interior space than that of its ICE counterpart. Performance specifications are still to be confirmed. But this newest release from Mercedes’ all-new EQ range will be in the US by the end of the year.
Last, but very much not least, the S-Class of electric vehicles. The Mercedes-Benz EQS is the EQ range flagship model. In typical Mercedes style, this 516 HP 4.1 second to 60 mph luxury sedan will offer industry leading electric performance and a driving range of — wait for it — up to 487 miles. So driven at the speed limit, it may even get you from Chicago to New York on a single charge. Initially however, the US must make do with the first electric Mercedes on the market. The 329 HP EQS 450+, with its 18.9 to 16.2 kWh/100 km combined consumption, is already on sale at $102,310 MSRP.
Even Wilder EVs, pricing to follow
Mercedes-Benz is unable to quote exact pricing on the rest of the range just yet. But the company promises that it will take measures to ensure that its EQ models will rival their similarly powerful ICE model counterparts on price. Even in markets like South Africa, with antiquated and draconian government EV taxes imposed. “We’re working together with the other car other brands to get rid of this tax in an effort to drive local EV prices down even further,” Raine concluded.
Mercedes is also more than confident that the few remaining downsides of electric mobility will soon be eradicated. As its recent Vision EQXX super EV concept already suggests, modern EVs already reaching crucial range and performance milestones. And like many others, Mercedes SA boss Raine is more than just confident that the future of EV technology will see a push towards ever lighter battery packages. And eternally shorter charging periods.
Reporting: Giordano Lupini. Images – Mercedes-Benz