The switch from a liftback to an SUV body style has allowed the engineers to add a third row of seats, meaning the Mercedes EQS SUV will accommodate up to seven people. In addition, there’s going to be a dedicated off-road mode for the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system for those very few who will want to drive off the beaten path.

From the preliminary technical specifications disclosed thus far, we know the EQS SUV has the same 126.4-inch wheelbase as the liftback while being a tad wider. Standard air suspension is on the menu, along with a hill-descent feature and 10-degree rear-wheel steering. Inside, the enormous 17.7-inch touchscreen of the normal EQS is carried over, and so is the 12.3-inch display for the front passenger.

It’s going to be slightly bigger than the GLE but smaller than the GLS while offering the spacious cabin of the latter thanks to the dedicated electric platform. That third row we mentioned is going to be optional, while AWD will be standard courtesy of dual motors – one at the front and the other for the rear.

Following its April 19 debut, the 2023 Mercedes EQS SUV will be assembled in Tuscaloosa where it’s going to be joined by the smaller EQE SUV. A sedan version of the EQE is also in the works, while an EV equivalent of the C-Class is bound to arrive later this decade.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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For the time being, the German luxury brand is focusing solely on the T-Class powered by combustion engines. Logic tells us it too will be largely based on the French van, but with a more upscale interior and a premium exterior. Mercedes remains tight-lipped about the technical specifications, albeit we do know the Concept EQT was 4945 mm long, 1863 mm wide, and 1826 mm tall.

The all-electric van is believed to inherit the powertrain from the Kangoo Electric E-Tech where the e-motor pumps out 101 hp and 245 Nm (181 lb-ft). Renault sells its version of the workhorse with a small 45-kWh battery pack providing enough juice for 165 miles (265 kilometers) per the WLTP cycle. The production-ready minivan is unlikely to stray away too far from the donor vehicle.

Both the T-Class with its gasoline and diesel engines along with the electric EQT are going to be assembled in France at the same Stellantis factory where the Kangoo and Kangoo E-Tech Electric are manufactured. It looks as though the ICE-powered variants will be the first to go on sale since Mercedes’ teaser doesn’t mention the EQT at all. Even so, the zero-emissions MPV should land by the end of the year or early 2023.

Despite being based on a Renault, Mercedes pledges the T-Class / EQT will be fully fledged luxury vehicles, complete with the MBUX infotainment system. If the concept was any indication, the electric minivan will be a tad larger than the Volkswagen Caddy while offering practical sliding rear doors.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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To iron out any last-minute kinks, Mercedes is conducting testing in various regions across the world, including in Germany at its Testing and Technology Center in Immendingen. Prototypes are also being evaluated in France, Finland, Austria, Dubai, Italy, Spain, the United States, Japan, China, Mexico, and South Africa.

The EQS SUV has been in development over the course of four years and will essentially be a high-riding version of the sedan, but with an optional third row of seats. It certainly won’t be able to match the ultra-low 0.20 drag coefficient of the sleek EQS, but it should still be among the sleekest SUVs ever. We’re expecting it to inherit the same massive 108-kWh battery, but likely won’t match the sedan’s maximum range of 785 kilometers (488 miles) WLTP due to being heavier.

As far as the lineup is concerned, it should mirror that of the EQS sedan, kicking off with a rear-wheel-drive 350 model packing a single electric motor with 288 hp. Up next should be the 450+ with 329 hp, followed by the 580 4Matic with dual motors and 516 hp. We’re expecting the range topper to be called EQS SUV 53 AMG 4Matic+ offering 751 hp.

Essentially an electric alternative to the GLS, the fullsize EQS SUV will boast air suspension as standard equipment, along with a dedicated offroad mode (with hill descent control). From a 360-degree camera to a front passenger display playing movies, the electric luxobarge will be chock-full of high-tech features.

Shortly after the EQS SUV’s debut later this year as a 2023MY, the smaller EQE SUV will follow suit. It too will be built at the plant Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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The new Mercedes EQB 250 has an FWD setup with a single electric motor good for 190 horsepower (140 kilowatts) and an instant torque of 385 Nm (284 lb-ft). As expected, the entry-level version is not the most athletic electric crossover out there, needing 9.2 seconds to hit 62 mph (100 km/h). Flat out, it will reach 100 mph (160 km/h).

Nearly €50,000 before EV-related incentives doesn’t make the EQB 250 exactly cheap, but then again, it is a compact luxury crossover. It’s also immensely practical if you need to carry more people as Mercedes offers an optional three-row layout for an extra €1,416. We should also mention the cheapest trim level has the highest range by covering 472 kilometers (293 miles) between charges thanks to its 66.5-kWh battery pack. The EQB 300 and EQB 350 4Matic both have a significantly shorter range, at 422 km (262 miles). All figures are based on the WLTP test cycle.

Customer deliveries of the new Mercedes EQB 250 have already commenced in Germany, with other European markets to get the electric crossover in the coming months. If the EQB’s boxy styling is not your cup of tea, there’s also the mechanically identical EQA 250 available from just under €44,000. That makes it €5,000 cheaper than the equivalent EQB, but torque drops by 20 Nm (15 lb-ft) to 370 Nm (272 lb-ft).

The EQA 250 is quicker in the sprint since it needs 8.9s to reach 62 mph (100 km/h) from a standstill or 0.3s less than the EQB 250. It shares the same 66.5-kWh battery, but the range drops to 428 km (266 miles) or 44 km (27 miles) less than its EQB counterpart.

Source: Mercedes-Benz Germany

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Test vehicles had to tackle the testing grounds near the Arctic Circle where drivers evaluated the handling and ergonomics of the new eSprinter. In addition, emphasis was put on the comfort available inside the cabin as well as on the electric drivertrain’s thermal management. Even before test drives in the real world, Mercedes-Benz Vans abused the van’s components in specifically built cold chambers.

The revamped eSprinter will come with a choice between three battery packs and several body styles, including a panel van and the barebones chassis. Speaking of batteries, Mercedes says the driving range will be more than double compared to the current model, which can cover up to 95 miles (153 kilometers) in the WLTP combined cycle.

To develop the next eSprinter, Mercedes is spending approximately €350 million, with about €50 million invested to overhaul the three facilities where the electric van will be assembled. The company’s commercial side will put together the workhorse EV not only in Germany at the plants in Duesseldorf and Ludwigsfelde, but also in Charleston, South Carolina. Production at all three factories will commence in the latter half of 2023.

Mercedes expects to benefit from a broader customer base as the 2024 eSprinter will be sold in the United States and Canada as well. The current model is sold alongside other electric vans, such as the eVito Panel Van and the eVito Panel Tourer, plus the more luxurious EQV minivan. In addition, a smaller eCitan serving as an electric derivative of the T-Class will arrive later this year.

Further down the line, Mercedes-Benz Vans will develop a bespoke VAN.EA platform tailored to electric vans, the first of which will go on sale by the middle of the decade.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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It goes to show how important the Chinese market has become for Mercedes, especially since the smaller EQB made its debut in the People’s Republic as well last year. The two newcomers will obviously serve as SUV equivalents of the EQS and EQE sedans introduced in 2021. However, the bigger of the two high-riding models will be more practical by offering three-row seating. It’s said to stretch at 5,160 mm (203 inches), thus making it long enough for a seven-seat cabin.

Autocar goes on to say the EQS SUV will be equipped with a 108-kWh battery feeding juice to a pair of electric motors. One will sit at the front while the other will drive the rear wheels to enable a standard AWD system. Expect up to 516 horsepower and 630 pound-feet (854 Newton-meters) of torque for the EQS 580 SUV, which will spawn a more luxurious version for the Maybach sub-brand. Interestingly, the upscale model might switch to the EQS 600 name to showcase its extra power over its Benz-branded counterpart.

As for the EQE SUV, it will make do with a smaller 90.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and is expected to be offered in a simpler rear-wheel-drive configuration. Of course, more expensive and potent variants will add a front electric motor for the 4Matic-badged flavors. The base trim level is said to pack 288 hp and 391 lb-ft (530 Nm), although these output numbers have not been confirmed.

We wouldn’t hold our breath for ultra-quick charging thanks to an 800V electrical architecture since both the EQE SUV and EQS SUV will come with only a 400V setup. Mercedes will assemble the zero-emissions SUV duo at its Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama, United States where the conventionally powered GLE and GLS are manufactured.

Both should be on sale either by the end of the year or early 2023, with the bigger EQS SUV coming first. Further down the line, more powerful AMG derivatives will arrive to mirror the AMG-badged EQE and EQS sedans unveiled in 2021.

Joining the EQA, EQB, EQE, and EQS will be a fifth electric SUV. We’re talking about the EQG slated to arrive in 2024. In the meantime, the EQC will probably switch to its second generation and will have a sedan equivalent serving as the electric C-Class.

Source: Autocar

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For a vehicle that has rear-wheel steering with a 10-degree angle, some of us would have expected the flagship electric sedan to ace the moose test. However, the vehicle’s massive weight reared its ugly head as the EQS was not as nimble as some would’ve expected. The 580 4Matic version tested here tips the scales at a whopping 2,585 kilograms (5,700 pounds), and that’s without including the driver and any possible options.

It’s worth noting the fullsize luxury sedan tested by Spanis’ km77.com came equipped with 21-inch wheels wrapped around in Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 tires. With the car in Comfort mode, the journalists managed a successful run at an entrance speed of 72 km/h (45 mph), which they say was rather poor. They went on to mention the EQS had moderate body roll during the slalom and was registered with a considerably high exit speed of 52 km/h (32 mph).

Because it’s a far lighter car, the S-Class tested had a slightly higher entrance speed of 74 km/h (46 mph) even though it lacked the EQS’ fancy four-wheel steering setup. Subsequent moose tests with higher entrance speeds conducted with the Mercedes EQS ended up hitting a few cones. In these evaluations and in Sport mode, the test driver noticed quite a bit of understeer from the electric luxobarge.

Interestingly, the driver says he didn’t notice any major differences between Comfort and Sport. Chances are the EQS AMG 53 version will fare better since it has a stiffer suspension setup and sharper steering, but that remains to be seen.

Source: km77.com / YouTube

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has now issued a second recall, and this time around, it’s related to the eCall function. Once again, the issue stems from bad software that may restrict or disable the emergency call system altogether. Interestingly, the NHTSA mentions a single car will be subjected to the recall, specifically an EQS 450. However, the gasoline-fueled S-Class in S500 and S580 flavors share the same software bug, bringing the grand total of recalled vehicles to 1,239 units.

The unfortunate owner of the 2022 EQS will either drop by the local dealer to have the eCall system sorted out or Mercedes will push an over-the-air update. It goes without saying the fix is going to be applied free of charge. It’s worth mentioning the more convenient OTA update can only be applied if the vehicle’s owner has a “Mercedes Me” subscription. If that’s not the case, the only way to solve the problem is to visit a dealer to have the update performed.

A single car being recalled by the NHTSA is not the end of the world, but it goes to show software is gradually becoming the Achilles’ heel as vehicles become rolling computers. With good reason, more and more people are starting to believe some automakers are in a hurry to launch new products, which increases the risk of getting a car with faulty software. In most cases, the bugs are easy to fix, but it would obviously be better not to waste time at a dealer to have the issue resolved since not all problems can be ironed out with an OTA update.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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The three-pointed star is selling a zero-emission vehicle already in the world’s second-most populous country as the EQC has been imported to since 2020. However, the EQS will be the first dedicated EV to be sold in India as the crossover shares the same platform with the combustion-engined GLC. Also coming to the South Asian country are the EQB and EQE models, with both scheduled to arrive later this year.

Electric vehicles do not represent a hot commodity in India due to their high asking prices, which is especially true in the case of EVs sold by a luxury brand. For example, the aforementioned EQC kicks off at the equivalent of $144,567 at current exchange rates, mainly because the local authorities are taxing fully built import cars at an exorbitant 100%.

The local Mercedes-Benz division isn’t going into any details for the time being regarding how much money will have to be invested to build the EQS in India. However, Martin Schwenk did tell ANE around $54 million have been invested in the last two years to bring the grand total to approximately $351 million.

Mercedes has pledged to become a purely electric brand by 2030 where market conditions will allow it, but it’s safe to say India won’t be ready by then. Customer demand is unlikely to catch up in these next eight years, let alone for expensive models produced by luxury brands.

Source: Automotive News

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The luxury brand has already hinted at this with the unveiling of the Vision EQXX, an ultra-aerodynamic concept featuring a completely new powertrain with the battery’s energy density increased by 20% compared to the EQS. Why is Mercedes making this radical change? Because it wants full control of the hardware it puts into its EVs.

According to Schaefer, the goal is to take full control of the electric motors, battery pack, and electronics that make everything work harmoniously. It wants to take the same approach it’s using for vehicles equipped with combustion engines. Mercedes has not decided whether it will go the extra mile and also build the inverter responsible for channeling the battery’s juice to the electric motors.

The first production models to utilize proprietary powertrains will be the ones riding on the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) tailored to compact and medium-size models scheduled from 2024. In addition, Automobilwoche mentions the MB.EA platform tailored to medium to large vehicles will benefit from the in-house powertrain.

By relying less on other suppliers, Mercedes should be able to drive down costs. It should also help the workforce currently responsible for combustion engines as there have been concerns switching to EVs would reduce the number of needed employees, which will be true to some extent. Making the battery cells on their own will also keep the works councils and unions happy or less worried at the very least.

As a refresher, Mercedes has said it will be ready to offer solely EVs from 2030, but only where market conditions will allow. Meanwhile, the EQE and EQS SUVs will be out this year, and we also know an electric G-Class is due in 2024. AMG and Maybach electric vehicles have been promised, along with a zero-emission equivalent of the C-Class.

Source: Automobilwoche via Automotive News Europe

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