Mercedes is just getting started with the expansion of the EQ family as after the EQA, EQB, EQE, and EQS all launched this year, 2022 will see the number of dedicated electric vehicles grow by two. Both the EQE SUV and EQS SUV are set to debut in 2022 and enter production before the end of the year at the Tuscaloosa plant in the United States.
In the meantime, a prototype of the smaller zero-emissions SUV has been spied undergoing testing on the streets of Germany on a beautiful fall day. Since the big debut is not due for a while, Mercedes is still keeping the vehicle’s design under wraps by applying full camouflage on the test vehicle’s body. Nevertheless, we are already getting the impression of a smaller EQS SUV, which the three-pointed star previewed in September at IAA Munich with the Maybach EQS SUV concept.
Those large alloys might not look all that nice, but their design serves a functional purpose as the EQE SUV will come with aerodynamically optimized wheels to maximize efficiency and squeeze out as much range as possible from the battery. Speaking of which, the EQE sedan boasts a 90-kWh pack (usable capacity) and we’re expecting its high-riding companion to feature an identical setup.
In the case of the sedan, the battery has enough juice for 410 miles (660 kilometers) of WLTP-certified range, but logic tells us the SUV will be heavier and therefore it won’t be able to match the regular EQE’s range. There is a distinct possibility Mercedes’ engineers will be able to fit a larger battery thanks to the vehicle’s larger footprint, but that remains to be seen.
When it comes to power, the EQE sedan comes from the time being only in a rear-wheel-drive version as the “350” model with a single motor mounted at the rear, delivering 288 hp (215 kW) and 530 Nm (391 lb-ft). Mercedes has already announced an all-wheel-drive EQE is en route, so rest assured the SUV equivalent is also going to receive the 4Matic badge by adding an e-motor at the front axle.
We should learn more about the EQE SUV in the coming months as we’re positive Mercedes is working on a lengthy teaser campaign in the build-up to the world premiere taking place at some point in 2022.
Source: walkoARTvideos / YouTube
