This is the brand’s first EV-powered car. It is looking great.
Mercedes is intensifying its teaser campaigns to get closer to the world premiere for its highly anticipated EQS. The German luxury brand released a portrait mode video on Tuesday previewing its -heavy interior. Now we are getting a closer look at it’s exterior.
The camouflage has been removed. Although this is a teaser photo, Mercedes intentionally lowered the brightness. We adjusted the settings of the photo and increased the brightness and exposure to reveal more details. After a preview in 2003 with the Vision CLS concept and the launch of the CLS, the Stuttgart-based team knows how to inject coupe elements into a sedan’s roofline.
The EQS is not a sedan . Technically, it’s a liftback as it has a more practical rear hatch. The EQE will also have a traditional trunk lid. These door handles, which are flush with the bodywork but only open when needed, aren’t just a fashion fad. They serve a practical purpose: to maximize airflow and improve aerodynamics.
Mercedes mounted the mirrors lower than usual to make the side profile of the car as slim as possible. Many spy shots show that there will be small fixed glass areas at the rear and front pillars to increase visibility. The greenhouse isn’t necessarily large, however, as the glass area is very small in comparison to the car’s massive dimensions.
The exterior design is reminiscent of a stunning concept car that was unveiled many years ago. The 2014 Concept IAA was introduced by Mercedes at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It is a plug-in hybrid that features a four-door coupe body, a 0.19 drag coefficient, and an extendable four door body. The EQS will be able to ditch the combustion engine entirely and ride on a platform that was specifically designed for electric vehicles.
Automotive News Europe CEO Ola Kallenius stated earlier this week that the EQS would be in a different league than its direct competitor. The EQE will tackle the Tesla Model S and Audi E-Tron GT while the EQS will be the sole rider in the premium EV category once it goes on sale later in the year.
We know that the production model will feature reclining rear seats, and offer more range than 435 miles (700 km). The WLTP cycle is used to calculate the range of the US-spec EQS. This means that it will likely have a shorter range (approximately 435 miles) than the EPA-certified US-spec EQS. At the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, the VisionEQS concept promised a 435-mile range and fast charging capabilities at 350kW to “fill up the battery” to 80 percent in 20 minutes.
The Mercedes’ EV assault will not end with the S-Class. The swoopy liftback is more than just an electric version of the S-Class. In 2022, there will be SUV versions of the EQS as well as the EQE. Even a gas-guzzler like the S-Class will be able to emit zero emissions in the next decade. Sub-brands Maybach and AMG are also looking to electrify their ranges.
We hear that the 2022 Mercedes EQS will debut sometime in April. To complement the EQA, a crossover electric EQB is also planned.