This feature is already available in the electric sedan, but the software blocks it.
It’s not a new technology. The rear-wheel steering system has been in use for decades. The Nissan R31 Skyline was the first to implement it back in 1985. Mercedes has taken it to the next level with its flagship electric and combustion cars. The S Class and EQS are the most advanced versions ever installed to a vehicle.
The EQS’s rear wheels can have a standard steering angle up to 4.5 degrees. However, in other markets it has an optional feature that increases the angle to 10 degrees. This advanced tech is standard on the US-market car. The turning circle for the EV is 10.9 meters (35.7 ft), which is impressive considering the car’s size. To reduce the turning circle, it turns the rear wheels in the opposite way to the front wheels at speeds up to 60 km/h (36.7 mph). To improve stability and handling, all four wheels rotate in the same direction above that velocity.
It works in this way: Mercedes explains that an electric motor drives a spindle attached to the rear axle using a drive belt. This allows for axial adjustments to be made to the spindle.
In the United States, the more advanced setup is standard equipment. At home, however, the EQS comes with the less sophisticated RWS configuration. Mercedes offers another option to get 10-degree steering, which can be ordered with the car.
Mercedes is making cars more like computers and offering support for over-the air updates. The EQS is a good example. Owners can activate the 10-degree rear wheel steering via an OTA update. This means that the vehicle already has this feature, but the software blocks it. It costs EUR489 ($about $575 annually) to unlock it. However, if you pay EUR1,169 ($1,376) for a 3-year subscription, you will get a EUR300 ($353) discount.
The S-Class has a parking package that includes a 360-degree camera. To order the more advanced steering system, you will need the S-Class’ parking package. The tech is not available if the car runs on mixed tires. This isn’t possible with EQS, as it only uses the same type of rubber. After turning off the car, activate all-wheel steering takes approximately two minutes before it is turned on again.
Although it can be frustrating to find out your car has this feature but not being able to use it, the flexibility provided by OTA updates is fantastic. Mercedes isn’t the first automaker to adopt the pay-to use model and it won’t be their last. Volkswagen may soon charge around $8 per hour for autonomous driving technology.