Mercedes demonstrated just how luxurious electric cars can be just last year with its classy EQS sedan. Now the range of electric cars is being expanded at the long-established Stuttgart-based company. The EQS is now being joined by the much more affordable EQE. This means that Mercedes’ iconic E-Class is now finally going electric, too.
Second Mercedes with E-architecture
The EQS was not Mercedes’ first electric car. Previously, the automaker unceremoniously gave classic vehicles like the A-Class an electric version. However, the EQS marked the premiere of the vehicle architecture designed only for electric cars. This takes advantage of the fact that factors such as the wheelbase or the length of the front no longer have to take into account a large combustion engine. Instead, electric cars can be given their very own shapes and proportions. That’s why you can feel a clear difference between the EQE and the conventional E-Class. And that’s even before you start the engine. After all, despite its by no means sprawling length of 4.95 m, the vehicle offers much more space in the interior than the E-Class with a combustion engine.
Control unit lives up to its name
Step into the driver’s or passenger’s seat of the EQE and it’s hard to miss the optional Hyperscreen. After all, the trio of screens that stretch from the left edge of the driver’s side to the right edge of the passenger’s side immediately catch the eye. Mercedes has already set new standards with the EQS and left the competition in the shade with this huge screen.
However, while the Hyperscreen is standard in the EQS, it comes at a significant premium in the EQE. However, the Hyperscreen is only really worth it if you have a demanding passenger who wants to enjoy entertainment on an approximately 12-inch OLED screen while driving. If this is not the case, you can safely be satisfied with the standard equipment. Here, Mercedes installs a large display in the center, which particularly wants to score with its information content.
Proud range
As is usual for electric cars, the EQE is also available in different motorizations. Mercedes wants to offer two different powertrains, at least initially. First, the sedan is to come in the 350+ version, whose battery should be able to offer 90 kWh. According to Mercedes, this should bring it to 654 kilometers. Sounds like a considerable value, but experience shows that it should be taken with a grain of salt as the WLTP standard. Despite the surprisingly good range, the engine should be able to deliver a lot of power. According to the spec sheet, 215 kW in combination with 565 Newton meters should ensure a sporty but comfortable driving performance up to the maximum speed of 210 km/h. Acceleration from 0 to 100 in 6.4 seconds speaks for itself.
If you want more power, reach for the EQE 500, which steps it up a notch in every respect, offering not only 300 kW but also a whopping 858 Newton meters. This should result in a remarkable driving performance, which already becomes clear when accelerating from 0 to 100 in about five seconds. This version could be a first taste of an AMG version of the EQE. The rear-axle steering system developed by Mercedes made its debut in the Formula 1 race car of multiple world champion Lewis Hamilton. With the EQS, the system also made its debut in conventional road traffic. And the dual steering system, which ensures extremely small turning circles, can also be used on the EQE. However, it once again means a hefty premium.
“Mercedes me Charge”
While the electric car market is literally flooded with new entries, Germany doesn’t really seem to be able to create the right conditions with a well-developed charging infrastructure. In particular, suitable fast chargers are unfortunately still lacking today. At least as annoying is the opaque tariff policy that many charging providers offer their customers. Mercedes therefore wants to establish its own tariff system starting this summer. With “Mercedes me Charge,” customers will be able to choose between three different tariffs in the S, M and L sizes. Depending on which tariff is chosen, a monthly basic fee will be charged, but the price per kilowatt hour will be lower. While the S rate costs nothing per month, the L rate is 17.95 euros. Here you can also reserve charging stations, for example.
