The EQS: Redefining the luxury segment for electric mobility

The EQS is the first all-electric luxury sedan from Mercedes-EQ. With it, Mercedes-EQ is redefining this vehicle segment. The EQS is also the first model to be based on the Mercedes-EQ modular architecture for luxury and executive-class electric vehicles. Fusing technology, design, functionality, and connectivity, the EQS will delight both drivers and passengers. The EQS 580 4MATIC Sedan will arrive in Canada in Fall 2021. It boasts 385 kW (electrical consumption NEDC combined: 20.0-16.9 kWh/100 km; CO2-emissions: 0 g/km).

As part of its Ambition 2039 initiative, Mercedes-Benz is working on offering a carbon-neutral new car fleet within 20 years. As early as 2030, the company wants more than half the cars it sells globally to feature electric drive systems - this includes fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.

In many areas, Mercedes-Benz is already thinking about tomorrow today: the new EQS is designed with sustainability in mind. The vehicles are produced in a carbon-neutral manner with resource-saving materials such as carpets made from recycled yarn. This is because when thinking of sustainability, Mercedes-Benz considers the entire value chain, from development and the supplier network to its own production. Mercedes-Benz AG has had its climate protection targets confirmed by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI).  

With a great deal of meticulous work and a focus on purpose-driven design, aerodynamicists worked in close cooperation with designers of the EQS to achieve a new cd best value of 0.20. This makes the EQS the most aerodynamic production car in the world. The operating range benefits greatly as a result.

The EQS also offers a very good value for recuperation: Of the maximum deceleration in the DAuto recuperation program of 5 m/s², up to 3 m/s² is achieved by recuperation (2 m/s² by the wheel brakes). This allows deceleration to a standstill without using the brake pedal. The range benefits from this recuperation strategy and the high recuperation power (up to 290 kW). Deceleration is also applied to detected vehicles ahead until they come to a standstill, for example at traffic lights. Intelligent energy recovery is situation-optimized with the aid of ECO Assist and acts with foresight, taking into account traffic conditions or topography, among other things. The driver can set three energy recovery levels and the coast function via paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

With a range of around 700 kilometres (WLTP) and an output of up to 385 kW, the powertrain of the EQS meets every expectation of a progressive sedan in the S-Class segment. The EQS 580 4MATIC Sedan has an electric powertrain (eATS) at both the front and rear axle.

The EQS marks the launch of a new generation of batteries with significantly higher energy density. The EQS 580 4MATIC Sedan has a usable energy content of 107.8 kWh. The innovative battery management software, developed in-house, allows updates over the air (OTA). In this way, the energy management system remains up to date throughout the life cycle. In terms of the cell chemistry, the cobalt content of the cathodes has been reduced to ten percent.

The EQS can be charged with up to 200 kW at fast charging stations with direct current. Power for up to another 300 kilometres (WLTP) is recharged in just 15 minutes . At home or via public charging stations, the EQS can be conveniently charged with up to 9.6 kW with AC using the on-board charger.

By means of high-quality certificates of origin, Mercedes-Benz guarantees that energy from renewable energy sources is fed into the grid for charging current sourced via Mercedes me Charge. This Green Charging initiative will be an integral part of Mercedes me Charge when it debuts in Canada with the EQS.

In Canada, the EQS will come with 3 years of Mercedes me Charge and Green Charging, giving customers the ability to charge at thousands of public charging stations coast-to-coast. Mercedes me Charge customers will benefit from the integrated payment function with automatic payment. The customer chooses the preferred payment method. After that, every charging process is then automatically debited – including abroad. The individual charging processes are clearly listed in a monthly invoice.

Navigation with Electric Intelligence plans the fastest and most convenient route for drivers, including charging stops. Navigation also reacts dynamically to traffic jams or changes to driving style. A new feature of the EQS is a visual cue in the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system that shows whether the available battery capacity is sufficient to return to the starting point without charging. The estimated charging costs per charging stop are also calculated.

Although the EQS is a close relative of the new S-Class, it is built on an all-electric architecture. This completely new concept made a rigorous purpose-driven design possible. With its one-bow lines and cab-forward design with fastback, the EQS is clearly distinguishable from combustion engine vehicles even at first glance. The design philosophy of Sensual Purity, combined with Progressive Luxury, is reflected in generously sculpted surfaces, reduced joints and seamless transitions (seamless design).

The front is combined into a 'Black Panel' unit. Innovative headlights connected by a light band and a deep black radiator grille (Black Panel) form the distinctive face of the EQS. As an optional extra, the exclusive look of the Black Panel radiator grille with central Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star can be enhanced with a three-dimensional star pattern. This Mercedes-Benz pattern is available in conjunction with AMG Line Exterior or Electric Art Exterior. The design picks up on the original star of the Daimler-Motorengesellschaft, which was registered as a trademark in 1911.

The EQS is the first Mercedes to offer the option of activating completely new vehicle functions via over-the-air updates (OTA). Once the purchase and initial new car configuration are complete, certain features of the EQS can be adapted according to personal preferences. Available from launch will be two special driving programs for young drivers and service staff, some interactive games and the demo program "The Best or Nothing".

With the optional ENERGIZING AIR CONTROL PLUS feature, Mercedes-Benz is taking a comprehensive approach to air quality in the EQS. The system is based on filtration, sensors, a display concept and air conditioning. The HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter in the EQS has a very high filtration level that enables it to trap fine particles, micro-particles, pollen and other substances that enter with the outside air. Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and odours are also reduced thanks to an activated charcoal coating. The HEPA filter has the "OFI CERT" ZG 250-1 certification in the area of viruses and bacteria. Using pre-entry climate control, it is also possible for drivers to clean the interior air before getting into the vehicle. The particulate levels outside and inside the vehicle are displayed in MBUX. They can be viewed in detail in the dedicated Air Quality menu. If the quality of the outside air is low, the system can also recommend closing the side windows or the sliding sunroof.

As an exceptionally intelligent vehicle, the EQS has up to 350 sensors. These include the ability to record distances, speeds and accelerations, lighting conditions, precipitation and temperatures, seat occupancy, as well as the blink of a driver’s eye or the passengers' speech. This wealth of information is processed by control units that, controlled by algorithms, make decisions at lightning speed. Given its high capability of learning thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), the new EQS can expand its capabilities based on new experiences.

The sound experience in the EQS also makes the paradigm shift from a conventional to an electric car audible. A variety of soundscapes allow for an individual acoustic set-up. In combination with the Burmester® surround sound system, the EQS features the two soundscapes Silver Waves and Vivid Flux. As Sound Experiences, they can be selected or switched off within the central display. Another soundscape can be unlocked using over-the-air technology. The interactive driving sound, which is reproduced via the sound system's loudspeakers in the interior, also moves within the respective sound world.

New to ENERGIZING COMFORT for the EQS are the three ENERGIZING NATURE programs: Forest Glade, Sound of the Sea and Summer Rain. These provide an immersive and impressively realistic on-board sound experience. These calming sounds were created in consultation with the acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton.

Standard rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees, contributes to a handy and dynamic driving experience in the EQS. Rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to ten degrees can be ordered with the Premium Package. This enables a turning circle of 10.9 metres for the EQS, which corresponds to the turning circle of many models in the compact class. The respective rear-axle angles and trajectories are shown in the driving mode menu in the central display.

The revolutionary DIGITAL LIGHT headlamp technology, which comes standard in the EQS 580 4MATIC Sedan will enable guide markings or warning symbols to be projected onto the road in the future. There are two new assistance functions that display the start of the cooperative lane change and provide a warning/direction instruction if Lane Keeping Assist or Blind Spot Assist detect a hazard. DIGITAL LIGHT has a light module with three extremely powerful LEDs in each headlamp, whose light is refracted and directed by 1.3 million micro-mirrors. The resolution is therefore more than 2.6 million pixels per vehicle.

The EQS features an expansive interior with leather seats, sustainable NEOTEX dash and natural wood-grain trim. The luxurious cockpit features standard dual 12.3 and 12.9 inch capacitive touchscreens, with the central vertically-oriented screen comprising the entire centre console. Or, available as an option, the MBUX Hyperscreen is a large, curved screen unit sweeps almost from A-pillar to A-pillar. It is the largest screen to ever be mounted in a series built Mercedes-Benz vehicle. In this large, curved screen unit, three screens sit under a glass cover and appear to merge into one. The 12.3-inch OLED display for the front passenger gives him or her their own display and control area. Mercedes-EQ relies on an intelligent, camera-based locking logic: if the camera detects that the driver is looking at the front passenger display, it is automatically dimmed.

With adaptive software, MBUX seemlessly adapts to its user and makes personalized suggestions for numerous infotainment, comfort and vehicle functions. With the zero layer, the most important applications are always offered on the top level within the field of vision, according to situation and context.

The latest generation of driver assistance systems includes numerous driver support functions. A new introduction is the additional microsleep warning from ATTENTION ASSIST. It analyzes the driver's eyelid movements through a camera on the driver's display (only in conjunction with MBUX Hyperscreen). The assistance display within the driver's display shows the operation of the driving assistance systems in a comprehensible full-screen view.

Like all other Mercedes vehicles, the EQS features a rigid passenger cell, special deformation zones and state-of-the-art restraint systems. PRE-SAFE® is standard. The fact that the EQS is based on an all-electric architecture also opened up new design possibilities for its safety concept. It meant the battery could be installed in a crash-protected area of the underbody. Since there is no large engine block on board, the behaviour in a frontal crash could be modelled even better. In addition to the standard crash tests, the car's performance in various additional load situations was verified and extensive component tests carried out at the Vehicle Safety Technology Centre (TFS).

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About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing, and service of Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG passenger vehicles and Mercedes-Benz Vans. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,050 people in 17 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of seven Mercedes-Benz own retail operations and 52 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 35,396 vehicles in 2020. This positioned Mercedes-Benz as the top luxury manufacturer in Canada for the seventh consecutive year.

For more information:
Sinead Brown              sinead.brown@mercedes-benz.ca