Technology: Mercedes EQE
Key point
Mercedes AMG EQE 53
© press-inform – the press office
The Mercedes GLC is currently the best-selling model in the Stuttgart portfolio worldwide. But that could change in the coming years, because the electric versions are increasingly taking over. Until the new generation of an EQC arrives, most interest will probably revolve around the EQE SUV.
The current Mercedes EQC, largely developed by supplier ZF, is anything but a successful model. At the time, the Swabians wanted a fast electric solution for the medium-sized SUV segment – the EQC and even Mercedes managers would complain that this was nothing halfway and hardly something whole. The successor will be a few years away and will then probably be called Mercedes GLC without the EQ signet. No wonder that they are not only looking forward to the new electric model of the EQE SUV in Untertürkheim and Sindelfingen, which in itself only has one flaw: it lacks its own name, because even sales managers at Mercedes branches just shake their heads that the Unlike the combustion engines, the two models EQE SUV and EQS SUV have not been given their own names.
But whether with or without a suitable signet on the rear – the EQE SUV will be a hit for the Stuttgart company. Purely electric with a more pleasing optics package than the plump EQE sedan and with a drive portfolio that should leave little to be desired by potential customers. Technically, the 4.86 meter long EQE SUV is closely related to the larger EQS brothers and the EQE sedan and uses the same electric platform. Drives and technology are appropriate, which means that a 215 kW / 292 hp basic variant with rear-wheel drive is also available here, which offers entry into the upper-class world with a plug. The equally powerful all-wheel drive EQE 350 4matic and in particular the EQE 500 with 300 kW / 408 PS / 858 Nm should be much more interesting for most customers.
Fans of the sporty investors from Affalterbach also get their money’s worth. There is the AMG EQE 43 with its 350 kW / 476 hp or the new top model AMG EQE 53, which delivers an impressive 505 kW / 687 hp and 1,000 Nm maximum torque to both axles. The more powerful 53 version not only has a top speed of up to 240 km/h, but also the roll stabilization that was sorely missed in the EQS SUV. The chassis offers electronic dampers as standard, which can be expanded to include air suspension if desired. This not only brings additional comfort for the occupants, but also varies the ground clearance by up to three centimeters according to the driver’s taste. Also on request, the electric crossover can be equipped with rear-axle steering, which reduces the turning circle from 12.5 to 10.7 meters with a steering angle of up to ten degrees.
The 90.6 kWh battery pack in the underbody is sufficient for a range of up to almost 600 kilometers, depending on the version. The AMG versions manage around 500 kilometers before it goes to the next charging station. The power consumption is between 17.7 and 22.7 kWh per 100 kilometers. In order to reduce consumption, the front axle of the all-wheel drive versions is switched off completely when the additional traction is not required. It can be recharged at a fast charging station with a maximum of 170 kilowatts, which gives the battery a boost of 220 kilometers after 15 minutes. The AMG versions cover at least 170 kilometers in the same time. In addition to the various driving programs, as with the other EQ models from Mercedes, recuperation can be set via shift pedals on the steering wheel up to maximum deceleration of the so-called one-pedal feeling. Inside, the Mercedes EQE offers the well-known picture with comfortable seats, the powerful hyperscreen and a passenger display, which makes the entertainment program interesting while driving. The boot volume is between 520 and 1,675 liters, while the all-wheel drive versions can tow trailers weighing up to 1.8 tons.