The sumptuous new Mercedes-Benz EQS has now officially available to order - and make no mistake, it’s the flagship of the firm’s all-electric range.
With a near £100,000 price tag - for the EQS 450+ AMG Line model - it’s a rival to the Audi e-tron GT, the Porsche Taycan and even the Tesla Model S.
Those are some pretty major rivals in the electric powertrain marketplace.
But with stunning good looks, a limo-like interior and performance galore, it’s sure to hold its own against the competition.
One of the EQS’ trump cards is it’s huge 107.8 kWh lithium-ion battery - a larger capacity than you get with the 93.4 kWh unit in the Audi e-tron GT.
That means you can expect up to 453 miles in range from a single charge - the equivalent of driving from London to Dundee without needing to stop and plug in. And that figure also towers over the Audi’s range of up to 298 miles.
What’s also impressive is the fact a 200 kW DC on-board charger allows the EQS to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 31 minutes. That’s enough to deliver an extra 186 miles of range in just 15 minutes.
The EQS manages to go so far on a single charge because it’s not as ballistic as the e-tron GT, or the Porsche Taycan - and certainly not the Model S.
But with 333 hp to play with, it’s hardly lacking in grunt.
Meanwhile because the EQS has been designed from the ground up as a large, luxury executive-class electric vehicle, the cabin is a joy to behold.
If you opt for AMG Line Premium models and above you can choose the innovative MBUX ‘Hyperscreen’, with multiple displays that merge seamlessly under one piece of glass to create a curved screen over 141 centimetres wide.
EQS 450+ AMG Line models come as standard with 20-inch alloy wheels, 4.5-degree rear-axle steering, a panoramic sunroof, full leather upholstery, heated seats front and rear, a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel in Nappa leather, a 12.3-inch driver display, an MBUX multimedia system with 12.8-inch OLED central display, a Driving Assistance Package and MBUX augmented navigation.
AMG Line Premium adds things like 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, interior active ambient lighting, acoustic privacy glass, a 360-degree camera, Driving Assistance Plus, and a Burmester surround-sound system.
AMG Line Premium Plus brings a head-up display, remote parking functionality; and the gesture-controlled MBUX interior assistant.
Meanwhile EQS 450+ ‘Luxury’ models feature equipment levels equal to the AMG Line Premium trim, but replace the sporty focus with a more classic style. This includes all new Microcloud Artico upholstery combined with ship-deck wood, comfort seats with comfort headrests and a heated steering wheel, 22-inch alloy wheels, multi-contour massage seats with climate control, an air balance package and Nappa leather upholstery.
For an extra four grand you can also opt for ‘Rear Luxury Lounge’ package, which unlocks electrically adjustable rear seats with massage functions, comfort rear armrest with wireless smartphone charging and Android tablet, climate control for the rear seats, the Mercedes interior assistant and adaptive interior lighting.
It is, then, an eye-catching package all round - and we can’t wait to see them on UK roads.
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