All-Electric 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is coming to Canada
With the luxury EQS sedan in market and the sporty executive EQE sedan arriving later this year, Mercedes-Benz has entered a new, all-electric era in the upper market segments. The EQS SUV, the third model series with this architecture developed for electric vehicles, is scheduled to arrive on Canadian soil in Q4 2022 in two versions: the 580 4MATIC, and the 450 4MATIC. The SUV offers plenty of space, comfort and connectivity for up to seven passengers in its avant-garde, luxurious interior. Thanks to powerful electric motors, responsive 4MATIC all-wheel drive and an intelligent OFFROAD driving mode, the EQS SUV is also capable of tackling light terrain with ease.
The new EQS SUV shares the long wheelbase (3210 millimetres) with the EQS sedan, but is more than 20 centimetres higher. The dimensions in detail: 5125/1959/1718 millimetres (length/width/height). The interior dimensions benefit from these generous SUV dimensions and from the advantages of the purpose design tailored to the electric platform. The second row of seats can be electrically adjusted as standard. Up to four golf bags fit in the trunk. A third row of seats with two additional individual seats and extensive comfort features for all passengers is available as an option.
With a range of over 600 kilometres (according to WLTP) and an output of up to 400 kW, the EQS SUV also meets the requirements of a luxury SUV in terms of the drive system.
All EQS SUVs have an electric drive train (eATS) on the rear axle, and the versions with 4MATIC also have an eATS on the front axle. In the 4MATIC models, the Torque Shift function ensures intelligent, continuously variable distribution of drive torque between the rear and front electric motors and thus the use of the most efficient eATS in each case. The electric motors on the front and rear axles are permanently excited synchronous motors (PSM). The advantages of this design include high power density, high efficiency and consistent power. The torque sent to the wheels by the respective eATS (electric drive train) is checked 10,000 times per minute and adjusted if necessary. This enables a much faster response in the versions with 4MATIC than with mechanical all-wheel drive.
The EQS sedan is the current aerodynamics world champion for production cars. Its purpose design with smooth underbody and closed radiator shutter was a good starting point for aerodynamic measures on the EQS SUV. The optimization of SUV-typical flow details led to a unique combination of spaciousness and aerodynamic efficiency.
The EQS sedan was the first model series from Mercedes-Benz in which completely new vehicle functions can be activated in several areas via over-the-air updates (OTA). With the EQS SUV, this offer is significantly expanded. For example, Trailer Manoeuvring Assist or MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) Augmented Reality Navigation can be activated at a later date.
With the EQS SUV, Mercedes-Benz is taking a major step towards zero-emission mobility and is moving a step closer to fulfilling Ambition 2039. The model is produced in a completely CO2-neutral way. The EQS SUV puts real solutions for emission-free mobility, intelligent resource conservation and responsible circular economy on the road.
The chassis of the new EQS SUV has a four-link axle at the front and an independent multi-link suspension at the rear. The AIRMATIC air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+ is standard equipment. The vehicle level can be raised by several centimetres. In addition to the DYNAMIC SELECT modes ECO, COMFORT, SPORT and INDIVIDUAL, the 4MATIC versions feature OFFROAD, a further mode for off-road driving. Furthermore, rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees is standard. It provides plenty of manoeuvrability in the city and agility over land. A version with a steering angle of up to 10 degrees is available as an option and also via an OTA update.
The new Mercedes me Charge function Plug & Charge makes charging the EQS SUV at public charging stations that support Plug & Charge convenient. Navigation with Electric Intelligence plans the fastest and most convenient route, including charging stops, based on numerous factors and reacts dynamically to traffic jams or a change in driving style, for example. This includes a visualisation in the MBUX infotainment system as to whether the state of charge of the battery is sufficient to return to the starting point without charging. Charging stations along the route that have been added manually are given preference in the route calculation. Proposed charging stations can be excluded. The estimated charging costs per charging stop are also calculated. In Canada, Mercedes-EQ drivers will have access to more than 8,950 public charging ports in total, including more than 1,300 DC fast charging ports – and this number is expanding every month. In an industry first, the Mercedes me Charge ecosystem can also provide drivers access to an additional network of more than 2,400 semi-public ports on the ChargePoint network that reside in access-controlled environments across Canada, including workplaces, shopping malls and hotels.
The principles of Integral Safety, in particular accident safety, apply regardless of the platform. Like all other Mercedes-Benz models, the EQS SUV therefore has a rigid passenger cell, special deformation zones and modern restraint systems. Another new feature at Mercedes-Benz is what is known as the occupant presence reminder. This system can indicate children who may have been overlooked in the rear of the vehicle.
With ENERGIZING AIR CONTROL Plus, Mercedes-Benz thinks holistically about air quality in the EQS SUV. The system is based on filtration, sensors, a display concept and air conditioning. The HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter has a very high filtration level to trap fine particles, microparticles, pollen and other substances entering with the outside air. Up to 99.75 percent of particles are separated out. Around 600 grams of activated charcoal are used to neutralise odours
With intelligent software, MBUX fully adapts to its users and provides them with personalized suggestions for numerous infotainment, comfort and vehicle functions. With what is known as the zero layer, the most important applications are always offered on the topmost level within the field of vision, according to situation and context. 8 CPU cores, 24 GB RAM and 46.4 GB per second RAM memory bandwidth are just some of the MBUX technical data.
The highlight of the interior is the MBUX Hyperscreen (standard on the EQS 580 4MATIC SUV). This large, curved screen unit spans almost from A-pillar to A-pillar. Three screens sit under a common cover glass and merge visually to create an impressive curved screen band over 141 centimetres wide. The area perceived by the occupants measures 2432.11 sq. cm. The 12.3-inch OLED display for the front passenger gives them their own display and control area.
The Dolby Atmos sound system takes the audio experience in the EQS SUV to a new level. Individual instruments or voices of the studio mix can be placed all around the listening area. A new kind of sound animation thus becomes possible: This is because while conventional stereo systems usually have a left-right dynamic, Dolby Atmos can use the entire area and create a 360-degree experience.
