Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
Mercedes-EQS is making room for its top products and views the EQS as the single most significant product spearheading its future of mobility. EQS accelerates the ambition to transform the company into a carbon-free producer of automobiles. Now, AMG lovers can have it both ways with both a focus on carbon-neutrality and high-performance with the release of the all-electric 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+.
To better understand the EV’s potent and technological attributes, Automotive Rhythms joined the EQS team in California for the national media launch of the Mercedes-AMG EQS, which now unites with the EQS 580 and EQS 450 electrified sedans. I was blown away by the impactful power of the gas-free AMG while blowing through the desert of Palm Springs en route to Los Angeles.
“The AMG EQS is the first all-electric ambassador in the performance segment, made in Affalterbach. It is tailor-made for car enthusiasts who are looking for a combination of innovative electric mobility in a luxurious ambiance, coupled with sportiness and agile driving dynamics,” says Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “With our first all-electric AMG vehicle, we will undoubtedly appeal to and win over a new clientele for Mercedes-AMG.
The electric drivetrain of the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 consists of a new 400 Volt Lithium-Ion battery with a 107.8 kW capacity, AMG tuned battery management, and two (front and rear) permanently excited synchronous electric motors. Together they put out a total of 649-horsepower or 751-horsepower when boosting with RACE START from the AMG Dynamic Plus Package. When you hit the accelerator, the vehicle moves efficiently at an accelerated rate. It sprints 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds normally and 3.4 seconds with Race Start, which is similar to Launch Control. Expect roughly 277 miles of range. Fully-variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive keeps the vehicle on top of its ground game and 9-degree Rear Axle Steering helps with maneuverability. Various driving modes can be chosen through AMG DYNAMIC SELECT and include Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual driving modes.
Since there is no rumble from a gas engine, the AMG Sound Experience takes its place with “Authentic” or “Performance” settings in three intensities using specific interior and exterior speakers: Balanced, Sport and, Powerful. Ingeniously, Mercedes-AMG placed an external speaker near the rear bumper where exhaust tips typically occupy. Think of Japan’s bullet train taking off and the energizing whistle sound it makes.
The AMG EQS can be powered in just 19 minutes with DC Fast Charging (300 kW) and regeneration can take place in three stages from the steering wheel. In addition, the EV infrastructure for the EQS is expansive. Emanating from a strategic partnership with ChargePoint, owners have access to a public network of almost 60,000 locations. Also, Mercedes-EQ is providing two years of complimentary 30-minute charge sessions at Electrify America charging stations.
When laying eyes upon the Mercedes-AMG EQS, it is evident that this German is unique. The green car features sleek body lines, a sloping front end, an AMG-specific black panel grille, DIGITAL LIGHT LED headlamps, AMG side sill panels, a rear diffuser with six longitudinal fins, and a hatch-styled tailgate. As well, it’s emboldened with aerodynamically optimized 21” and 22″ AMG alloy wheels, Michelin’s new Pilot Sport EV tires, and AMG’s compound brake system with 6-piston front calipers.
As you can imagine, AMG thought of every technology feature to comply with performance EV owners’ current and future needs. The EQS is bestowed with forward-thinking tech that is both comforting and ergonomic. A few of these amenities include:
- Massive, descriptive, and intuitive Head-up Display
- Navigation with Electric Intelligence
- Deep massaging seats
- Ambient Lighting with 64 colors, including a new EQ-specific color scheme
- Fingerprint Sensor for biometric authentication of the driver to activate a profile
- Incredible Burmester 3D Sound System with Sound Personalization
- AMG RIDE CONTROL+ with air suspension, combined with adaptive, electronically controlled adjustable damping
- Choice of high-end trim options, including AMG Carbon Fiber Trim
Saving the best for last is the three-display 56” curved glass MBUX Hyperscreen and Multimedia System that extends across the entire dashboard from door to door. The driver and passenger each receive a 12.3″ OLED screen to control various functions. The central section is a 17.7″ OLED touchscreen display, representing as the largest and most sophisticated display in any production vehicle. The Hyperscreen features an Augmented Reality Navigation System including Natural Language Understanding and Keyword Activation (“Hey Mercedes”). For instance, the actual views you see ahead are visually replicated as video on the screen. It also has a Google Earth-type view when navigating. However, many may find this too advanced as I often became confused.
The EQS is scientifically unique with quintessential innovation that exceedingly outpaces its closest rivals. Arriving at U.S. dealers early in 2022, pricing has yet to be announced. The future is now and presents new pathways to eco-friendly driving to help reduce the carbon footprint from man, woman, and their machines.
