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Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the EQE, EQB, the EQG Concept, the AMG EQS, and the Maybach EQS SUV Concept at the 2021 IAA Show
by Sidd Dhimaan, onMercedes went on an EQ-spree at the 2021 IAA Show. The company unveiled the 2022 EQS, the EQE – a mini EQS in its essence, the EQB – a crossover that could get volume for the company, and arguably the highlight of the show, the EQG off-road SUV. Instead of introducing new monikers, the German has prefixed ‘EQ’ to its class of vehicles that simplifies the lineup and makes It easy for laymen to remember.
Mercedes-Benz EQE
The automaker teased the EQE a few days before its reveal, but it’s here now in all its glory. Alternative to the current E-Class model, this fastback model is sporty and a comparatively affordable alternative to the EQS. It is underpinned on the same EVA2 platform as the EQS. It is a baby version of its elder sibling and shares the same design and styling cues only with shorter dimensions that are comparable to the current-gen CLS, shorter overhangs, and recessed flanks. It will be offered with 19-, to 21-inch wheels.
On the inside, the highlight is the optional Hyperscreen powered by the MBUX system. The hyperscreen runs the length of the dash and will be a tech head’s wet dream. The other avant-garde aesthetics give the EQE a luxury and plush vibe and will be a nice space to be in. The company has noted that six color combinations will be offered for the cabin.
The EQE will first arrive in the EQE 350 trim with a rear-mounted electric motor setup. The power outputs are rated at 288 horses and 391 pound-feet of torque.
Dual-motor versions with the 4MATIC system will be offered in the future. This motor on this trim will be powered by a 90 kWh battery pack that’s good for 410 miles of range as per the WLTP cycle. The EPA-estimated range could be around 350 miles, which is not too bad either. It supports fast charging up to 170 kW.
As is with the other EQ models, you can expect the EQE also to come with the AMG outfit in the future. The EQE will arrive in 2022 as a 2023 model. The prices aren’t revealed, but we speculate it to start under $55,000. It will take on the BMW i4, the Polestar 2, and the Tesla Model 3, but don’t expect it to undercut the latter’s pricing.
Mercedes-Benz EQB
The automaker also unveiled an electric crosser at the event called the EQB. This is the second compact EQ model following the EQA. The EQB is a five-seater as standard, but you can opt for the third row as well. It has the signature look of the other EQ models up front and looks like a mini G-Class SUV at the onset. Despite being a crossover, the car is aero-efficient and boasts a drag coefficient rating of .28.
On the inside, the EQB looks modern and in line with the other models in the Mercedes lineup. It comes with a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a similar-sized touchscreen infotainment system that will be powered by the MBUX system. As for the seating options, the five-seat setup will be offered as standard and a seven-seat layout as optional. Since it isn’t a very long vehicle and measures just under 185 inches, the third row will be a tight fit. The company has confirmed the same and noted that the third row will be suitable only for kids and folks who are less than 5’4” tall.
The U.S.-spec EQB will be offered in two trims – the EQB 300 and the EQB 350. The 300 puts out 225 horses and 288 pound-feet of torque, whereas the 350 generates 288 ponies and 384 pound-feet of twist.
Both of them feature a dual-motor setup and the company’s 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system.
The EQB comes with a 66.5 kWh battery pack that offers a WLTP-rated range of 260 miles. This means the EPA-estimated rating could be around 220 miles. It supports DC fast-charging up to 100 kW which allows the battery to recuperate from 10-percent to 80-percent in 32 minutes.
It will arrive in the U.S. in 2022 as a 2023 model. The pricing is not revealed, but we speculate it to start around $55,000 before incentives and credits. This puts it in line with its rivals, the Tesla Model Y and the Audi Q4 e-Tron. A single-motor trim will be offered in the future, and so will a model with a bigger battery pack and longer range. Expect them to sandwich the EQB 300 and 350 from both ends of the spectrum in terms of pricing.
Mercedes-AMG EQS
Mercedes has taken the wraps off its flagship EQ model, the EQS earlier this year. Now, the company has unveiled the AMG high-performance version of the same. The EQS53 AMG+ receives healthy power bumps over the standard EQS model. Even the motors are swapped for AMG-specific ones.
In the standard AMG EQS, the power outputs are rated at 649 horses and 700 pound-feet of torque; an increase of 133 horses and 89 pound-feet of torque. Opt for the AMG Dynamic Plus package and the power output increases to a whopping 751 horses; 235 horses more than the standard EQS!
Mercedes-AMG has tweaked the car’s chassis, stabilizers, rear-axle, and bearings, too. An AMG-specific damper control is also thrown in the mix. The car also comes with software upgrades. Stuff like ‘Track Pace’ and ‘Race Start’ are included that will come in handy when you’re in the mood for a little fun. A rear-wheel-steering will be offered as optional that allows up to nine degrees of steering angle. Even carbon-ceramic brakes will be available for extra moolah.
The AMG EQS will be powered by the same battery pack as the standard EQS, which means the range will take a pretty big hit when opted with the Dynamic Plus package. This model serves as a testament to the automaker’s commitment to offering AMG-outfitted models on its EQ lineup and we could see them come in high-performance versions in the future.
Here’s what the standard EQS is all about – in a nutshell – and how it compares to the AMG EQS:
- Offered in two trims – 450+ and 580 4MATIC
- 516 horsepower and 611 pound-feet of torque in its best avatar
- 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds, top speed limited to 130 mph
- Comes with rear-wheel-steering with an angle of up to 4.5 degrees as standard and 10 degrees as optional
- Features a 107.8 kWh battery pack with a WLTP rated range of 478 miles
- Can charge from 0-100 in 31 minutes using DC fast-charger
- Can add 300 miles of range in 15 minutes when plugged into a DC fast-charger
- ‘Sensual Purity’ design philosophy
- 0.20 coefficient of drag rating
- Features a massive 56-inch ‘Hyperscreen’ inside the cabin
- It is a mix of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 17.7-inch touchscreen, and 12.3-inch touchscreen for the passenger
- Base trim features a 12.8-inch touchscreen system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument
- Price not announced, but could start at over $110,000 and go up to $150,000 with all the bells and whistles
Mercedes-Benz EQG Concept
The G-Class needs no introduction. The legendary SUV is the definition of a plush, off-road SUV with the same old-school, boxy demeanor. The body-on-frame SUV is a near-production concept, the automaker noted. Mercedes has retained the same characteristics and features of the G-Wagen.
Up front, it comes with a black panel grille that houses the illuminated logo. It rides on 22-inch polished aluminum wheels. An interesting touch on the concept is on the tailgate. Instead of a usual spare wheel cover, Mercedes has installed a lockable box with white illuminated accents that looks like a wallbox. It can be used to store the charging cable. Apart from all this, there are LED lights and strips all around, including on the roof.
The Concept EQG is powered by four electric motors – one on each wheel.
There’s no word on the power outputs yet, but we speculate it to be well over the standard G-Class that makes 416 horses and 450 pound-feet of torque in the standard avatar and 577 ponies and 627 pound-feet of torque in the AMG outfit. The company has confirmed that the EQ lineup will receive the high-performance AMG treatment, too. It is also as rugged as an electric off-roader can get. It comes with an independent front suspension, an off-road capable chassis, and a two-speed gearbox.
The debut date of the production-spec model isn’t confirmed, but since this was a near-production concept, we expect it to roll out in 2022.
Mercedes-Maybach EQS
Don’t let the name confuse you. The automaker has unveiled another EQS; this one being a near-production concept with the Maybach treatment. Also, this EQS is an SUV! Up front, it comes with a big black shiny panel with chrome pinstripes. It receives the typical dual-tone bright Maybach treatment. The lower half is finished in Zircon Red Metallic and the upper half in Obsidian Black. I’m sure the overall appearance will draw polarizing opinions. The B-pillars come with the ‘M’ badge prints and the SUV rides on massive 24-inch wheels.
The cabin is said to be inspired by the Yachting experience. It features the flagship Hyperscreen on the dash, just like the EQS sedan. This is essentially a three-screen setup – the digital instrument cluster, the center console touchscreen system, and a screen for the passenger – and landscapes the entire dash. The rear row has a pair of seats with a center console that’s finished in white piano lacquer and rose gold accents.
There’s no word on the powertrain and the outputs, but Mercedes noted a range of 373 miles for the Maybach EQS SUV.
The German automaker has revealed the Maybach EQS for now, but a standard EQS SUV will arrive before it; perhaps sometime in 2022 when it goes into production.
Conclusion
Kudos to Mercedes streamlining its EQ lineup with the AMG and Maybach treatments early on. Mercedes is replicating the same lineup philosophy here as its current crop and this shows the automaker’s commitment to electrification. It also gives us a glimpse of what to expect from the brand moving forward.
