When Mercedes makes a commitment, it doesn’t take it lightly, as we’ve gotten to see with the flood of all-electric models it’s been launching during the past year.
In a global webinar Sunday, the German automaker pulled the wraps off yet another new, battery-electric option, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. And for those who want to make the most out of the mind-bending torque electric motors can deliver, it will add its first all-electric AMG model, as well.
At up to 677 horsepower and 740 pound-feet of torque, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV will deliver the sort of performance you might previously have expected out of the Affalterbach unit’s sleek GT model, hitting 0 to 60 in a mere 3.3 seconds.
Since introducing its first long-range battery-electric vehicle, the EQS sedan, a year ago, Mercedes has been wasting no time. It followed up with the EQS SUV, the little EQB crossover and the EQE sedan.
Trompe l’oeil
With the exception of the EQB, with its relatively conventional SUV styling, the new line-up has adopted Mercedes’ distinctive “one-bow” design language. Essentially, a single curve flows over the roof, from bumper to bumper. With the two new sedans, that yields industry-low levels of wind drag — which translates into improved range and performance. But the trade-off comes in the form of reduced rear head and legroom.
Like the EQS SUV, the EQE crossover strikes a balance. The nose adopts a one-bow curve rising into a taller roofline that flows into a high-mounted spoiler and steeply raked tailgate. The EQE SUV was meant to have a more sporty look than the electric flagship, Mercedes executive Occas Buchner told TheDetroitBureau.com. And designers came up with an interesting approach.
At first glance, it appears to adopt a coupe-like roofline. But look more closely and you realize there are, if you will, two rooflines. A curvaceous outer, and a more upright inner, the back end done up in glossy black so it’s less obvious. It’s not an entirely unique approach. Ford used this trick-of-the-eye with its Mustang Mach-E to give it a sporty look while retaining plenty of rear seat headroom.
By the numbers
The overall dimensions of the EQE SUV are roughly in line with the conventionally powered GLE crossover. And it’s about a foot shorter than the EQS SUV, at 191.5 inches — while its wheelbase is about 3 inches shorter, at 119.3 inches. The EV crossover stands 66.4 inches tall, with an 84.3-inch width, excluding the mirrors.
At first glance, you might have trouble distinguishing Mercedes’ two new electric SUVs. The differences are surprisingly modest, beyond the EQE’s more aggressive roofline. One clue: a twin-triangle set of daytime running lights. The EQS SUV gets triple LEDs.
Inside, this is classic E-Class/GLE, with a refined look to its double-stitched leather, ventilated seats and metal and wood trim. One of the more distinctive details sits atop the center console where the veneer is inlaid with dozens of Mercedes tri-stars.
Screening room
And the EQE SUV offers a choice of either a twin-screen digital gauge cluster and infotainment package, or the striking Mercedes Hyperscreen — which comes standard on the AMG model. It runs pillar to pillar, adding a third display for the front passenger.
As you’d expect, this is one high-tech vehicle, with an expansive list of features, including the now-requisite MBUX voice assistant. Say, “Hey, Mercedes,” and you can issue a command to operate virtually any vehicle function. And, like the benchmark Amazon Alexa voice system, you can also ask it questions, like weather.
There’s also a broad array of intelligent driving assistance technologies, including Active Steering Assist, and Active Lane Change Assist will nudge you back into your lane if its sensors detect a potential collision.
Drivetrain options
As has become the norm, these days, the EQE SUV rides on a skateboard-like platform shared with the EQE sedan and various EQS models. It mounts much of its electric drivetrain under the load floor.
The layout is flexible and, with the EQE SUV, makes it possible to offer four distinct versions:
- The base model is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 350+ SUV. It’s a modestly powered, single-motor unit making 288 horsepower, but it’s got plenty of torque, at 477 pound-feet, which will get you to 60 in 6.3 seconds;
- The mid-range Benz package is the EQS 350 4Matic SUV which adds a second motor up front. It delivers the same, 288 hp but torque jumps to 564 lb-ft, 0-60 times dropping a tenth of a second;
- The EQS 500 4Matic SUV gets a big bump up in the numbers, to 536 hp and 633 lb-ft. And that will get you to 60 in just 4.2 seconds.
A first from Affalterbach
But if you’re truly serious about performance, there’s the 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV. This model gets “the full Affalterbach treatment,” according to senior product developer Michael Brumquell.
It is, in fact, the first true all-electric model from AMG — the EQS AMG being more of an “AMG Light” package.
The AMG EQE SUV gets unique motors, to start with, along with highly desirable performance upgrades including an all-electric version of the AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, rear-axle steering, AMG Ride Control+ air suspension with adaptive damping and, on the dynamic+ package, a blended brake system with ceramic high-performance rotors.
There’s also an upgraded cooling system for both the motors and battery pack so you can run at peak performance as long as there’s a charge. A number of other sport-tuned EVs can’t manage extensive runs because of the risk of overheating.
Plenty of muscle
The AMG version will deliver 617 hp and 701 lb-ft of torque — though you can add the Dynamic+ package taking things to 677 hp and 740 lb-ft, enough to launch from 0 to 60 in 3.3 seconds.
This brute also adds a number of interior and exterior updates: body-colored wheel arches and a choice of 21- or 22-inch wheels and tires. It also features a 3D waterfall grille, the requisite AMG badging, inside and out, and some unique paint and interior color options. The Hyperscreen is here standard and feature unique AMG displays, and it gets a track mode, as well.
Both the Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG models share the same 90.6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack — which is about 25% smaller than the pack on the EQS SUV. Mercedes not yet released EPA mileage numbers but said it expects a range of up to 590 kilometers, or 367 miles, using the more lax European WLTP test. That could signal something on the order of 290 miles here.
Other features
The EQS SUV isn’t just a soft-roader. While you’re not likely to take it back on the Rubicon Trail, it features an off-road mode which modifies all-wheel-drive and other settings and raises the air suspension to maximum height.
And it features rear-wheel-steering, the back tires able to turn up to 10 degrees. At low speed, they turn opposite the front tires, reducing the turning radius to less than 39 feet. At higher speeds, they sync with the front wheels to make it easier to carve through corners.
The EQS SUV allows a driver to adjust brake regeneration in three stages, including 1-Pedal Mode. That is similar to what happens when a gas engine is downshifted several gears — except here it actually improves energy efficiency. With 1-Pedal, a motorist is far less likely to need to jump from accelerator to brake, instead slowing down or stopping simply by modulating the throttle.
Charging, pricing, availability
Charging time should run 9.5 hours using a 240-volt home charger, but the EQE SUV can go from a 10% to 80% state of charge in 32 minutes using a public quick charger delivering at least 170 kW.
Mercedes has offered no guidance on pricing yet, though the EQE sedan is expected to start in the low $70,000 range.
We should find out more as we get closer to the official on-sale date of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV next spring. The 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV will follow in autumn.
