Mercedes-Benz Reveals New Information On The Alternative To The S-Class
Mercedes-Benz Reveals New Information On The Alternative To The S-Class. Mercedes-Benz will soon offer an electric alternative to the S-Class and the new battery-powered sedan, which goes by the name of EQS, is set to be revealed on April 15. Ahead of the upcoming world premiere of the Mercedes-Benz EQS, the manufacturer has released a lot of technical details for its upcoming all-electric flagship model. The EQS is based on the new EVA platform that will be used in several other models, including the EQE and SUV versions of the EQS and EQE.
Mercedes is also talking about what those batteries will be powering. Several different versions of the EQS with varied power outputs will be available from the start. The base rear-wheel-drive EQS will produce 329 horsepower from a single motor on the car’s rear axle. A dual-motor (one in back and one in front) all-wheel-drive version with 516 horsepower will be available, too — the rear motor is more powerful than the front. Mercedes is teasing an “even more powerful performance version” that will come at a later date. That sounds like an AMG variant to us. The 0-62 mph time on the 516-horse version is 4.3 seconds, whereas the single-motor EQS will do it in 6.3 seconds. Top speed for both is limited to 130 mph.
Mercedes says this electric version of 4Matic all-wheel drive has much faster response versus its mechanical all-wheel drive systems. That’s to be expected with electric motors. The motors themselves are engineered with a special foam mat surrounding them for exceptional resistance to NVH issues. A whole host of extra work contributes to making these motors incredibly quiet and fit for S-Class level noise and vibration comfort. Acoustic foam used throughout the body helps deliver silence to the cabin.
New technologies were also engineered for the window seals and door structure to reduce noise — there will be an “acoustic comfort package” available that adds laminated glass panes to the car. However, Mercedes will also point out that the car’s 0.20 coefficient of drag (best of any current production car) also reduces wind noise. It has a smooth underbody, aero-shaped spoilers and customers will have the choice between 19-, 20- and 21-inch wheels. Also contributing to this figure are special, new A-pillar trim strips and seamless door handles.
A miscellaneous item Mercedes highlighted is its “Navigation with Electric Intelligence” system. Just like many EVs, the EQS will plan your route around available charging stations. It will also take into account real-time traffic, and you can automatically set how much charge you want left in reserve to make it to a charging station. The EQS can estimate how much a charging stop will cost on the screen for you and will automatically monitor your efficiency and navigation system, just in case you need to switch into ECO mode to eke out the last few miles to a plug.
