By Otsile Kadiege

We’ve seen the concept, the seen the spyshots, and leaked images. Now Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the latest addition to their fully-electric EQ family – the all-new EQS SUV. The 7-seater electric SUV boasts a futuristic exterior design, new technologies, powerful electric motors with impressive driving range and a new all-electric architecture.

Exterior design

For the exterior design of the new EQS SUV, Gorden Wagener and his team of designers used the EQ family’s current design philosophy. As a result, the new EQS SUV bears a similar design seen on stable-mates like the EQE, EQS and EQC. Upfront the EQS SUV features a ‘Black Panel’ unit flanked by headlamps which are connected by a light band. The deep black radiator grille (Black Panel) forms the face while three light dots form the striking daytime running lights (DRLs). As standard, the EQS SUV is fitted with LED High Performance headlamps while Digital Light with light band is available as special equipment.

Its side profile is clean and uncluttered. Highlights include a bodyline crease on the lower section of the side doors, standard flush door handles, a muscular shoulder section and standard 20-inch wheels. Customers who wish for larger wheel sizes can opt for 21- or 22-inch wheels. The latter is available in two exclusive designs reserved for the EQS SUV finished with high-sheen and multi-coat black/high-gloss paint. Highlights of the EQS SUV are light band with LED lamps in 3D helix design and faux rear skid plate. The EQS SUV is 5125 mm long, 1959 mm wide and 1718 mm high.

Interior design, practicality and technology

Like its exterior design, the luxury 7-seater SUV has borrowed much of the interior design and technology from other Mercedes-EQ models. The cockpit features a familiar dashboard layout thanks to Mercedes-Benz’s new steering wheel designs, a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a large touch display running on the automaker’s MBUX infotainment system featuring wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, advanced ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant, and Navigation with Electric Intelligence. The optional MBUX Hyperscreen increases the screen size to 17.7-inch and also gains an additional 12.3 inch display for the front passenger.

Other interior highlights include ambient lighting on the front seats with standard 4-way lumbar support, climate control, luxurious head restraints, rear seat entertainment, an optional panoramic sunroof, 40:20:40 split second row seats, and Energizing Air Control Plus which is an air filtration system designed to ensure that clean air filters into the cabin of the EQS SUV.

Performance

All EQS SUVs have an electric drive train (eATS) on the rear axle, and the versions with 4Matic AWD system also feature an eATS on the front axle. Its lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 107.8 kWh. As standard, all EQS SUV models have an 11kW on-board charger whilst an optional 22kW AC charger is available. Charging times are slightly above 11 hours whilst the 200kW DC fast charger takes 31 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent. There are three model derivatives to choose from, namely EQS 450+ (265kW/568Nm), EQS 450 4Matic (265kW/800Nm) and EQS 580 4Matic (400kW/858Nm). According to the WLTP, the EQS 450+’s electric driving range is between 536 – 660km and 507 – 613km for both the EQS 450 4Matic, and EQS 580 4Matic.

The chassis of the new EQS SUV has a four-link axle at the front and an independent multi-link suspension at the rear. Standard equipment includes Airmatic air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+. The vehicle level can also be raised by several centimetres. In addition to the Dynamic Select modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual), the 4Matic versions feature Off-road mode. It also features rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees as standard. Optionally and also via an OTA update, a version with up to 10 degrees steering angle is available.

Driving assistance systems

The new EQS SUV is equipped with a host of driver assistance system. A few of them includes Blind Spot Assist and exit warning function, Active Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and exit warning function, and Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function.

Mercedes-Benz South Africa will be launching quite a handful of new EQ models in SA including the EQS sedan and EQE. Whilst the German automaker’s local arm hasn’t confirmed local availability, we should expect to see the EQS SUV in SA some time in 2023.