The slightly more modest brother of the EQS
You saw it coming: this is the electric Mercedes EQE, and it compares to the EQS as the E-Class is to the S-Class. Just like the EQS, it has almost nothing to do with its petrol or diesel-drinking letter companion in terms of appearance and design. The wheelbase is long to create enough space for the batteries and the occupants. The front overhang is short – because there is no engine there.
First of all, the Mercedes EQE 350 comes on the market, with a 292 hp single engine in the back. In the foreseeable future, four-wheel drive versions with two engines will be added. There are also hot performance versions on the schedule, with up to 680 hp according to Mercedes. So the boys and girls of AMG are already having a good time.
Long distances with the Mercedes EQE
With a 90 kWh battery, the EQE comes a long way: it starts at 547 kilometers and goes up to about 660 kilometers, according to WLTP. Fast charging is possible with up to 170 kW, enough to be able to drive 240 kilometers again after 15 minutes. While loading, you can optionally play with the same huge hyperscreen as in the EQS, across the width of the dashboard.
The exterior is quite a surprise, given the ultra-conservative nature of the tank-top E-Class. The cabin stretches with the arc-shaped silhouette and takes up much of the length of the car. Corners and folds are nowhere to be seen. Good for aerodynamics, though it’s just not as smooth as the longer EQS. Optional air suspension lowers it closer to the ground at speed.
CO2 aware
There is no frunk, the front can only be opened in the workshop. The body is made entirely of recycled steel, reducing CO2 emissions by 60 percent. By 2022, Mercedes’ factories, including those for batteries, will be certified CO2-neutral. They will also soon be buying their battery cells from climate-neutral suppliers.
As always, many innovations from the S find their way to the E. On the option list (take a breath): that hyperscreen, a head-up display with a perceptible diameter of 77 inches, four-wheel steering, LED matrix headlights with 1.3 million pixels per side, and a whole lot more. The Mercedes EQE is expected to hit the market in mid-2022 for as yet unknown prices.
