Mercedes Tweaks The EQS By Adding A Larger Battery & A Star On The Hood

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When is a automotive not a automotive? When it’s a Mercedes — probably the most well-known manufacturers on this planet. Mercedes is greater than a automotive; it’s a image that implies these inside are deserving of particular recognition for his or her refinement, discernment, and abundance of disposable revenue.

The Mercedes EQS battery-electric sedan debuted three years ago with a cheaper price than the S Class sedan and about 430 miles of vary (WLTP). Usually, vehicles have a 7-year design cycle, which suggests the EQS is due for its second era introduction in about 4 years. It isn’t uncommon for it to get up to date halfway by means of the design cycle, and in reality the corporate has simply introduced new enhancements to the automotive — some minor and a few vital.

Rear seat passengers can now recline as much as 38 levels — two greater than earlier than — and expertise the sybaritic pleasure of a heated therapeutic massage. The total-width MBUX Hyperscreen that spans the complete dashboard from door to door is now customary on all EQS sedans. Outdoors, the corporate has seen match to breed the looks of a conventional entrance grille. Apparently Mercedes prospects want that to the unique design which was clear and fashionable and helped the automotive obtain a very low Cd of simply 0.20. By comparability, the smooth Lucid Air has a Cd of 0.21 and the Tesla Mannequin S has a Cd of 0.208.

Extra vital by far is the addition of the normal Mercedes three-pointed star mounted prominently on the hood. That will appear a little bit of foolishness to some, however we all know of people that traded a Mercedes for a BMW, Audi, or Lexus who later switched again to a Mercedes simply because seeing that star on the hood made them really feel they had been driving one thing particular — and let others comprehend it as properly.

Mercedes EQS Technical Upgrades

Probably the most outstanding improve is a rise within the dimension of the battery from 108 kWh to 118 kWh. In response to Autocarthat helps increase vary by 11%, so the twin motor EQS 450 4Matic now affords 496 miles, up from 445 miles, whereas the only motor 450+ now affords as much as 511 miles of vary. These figures are WLTP. The US EPA vary estimates are 340 miles and 352 miles, respectively. Enhance them by 11% to get an concept what the 2025 EQS might be able to when it arrives in America close to the tip of 2024. The larger battery options revised cells and battery chemistry, Mercedes says, with out providing additional particulars.

A battery improve is just not the one factor answerable for the prolonged vary estimates. All model of the EQS now use a warmth pump system that’s extra environment friendly and scavenges warmth from the drivetrain and traction battery. As well as, the entrance motor on twin motor fashions might be disconnected when not in use to eke out a bit extra effectivity. Lastly, the extent of regenerative braking has been doubled from 1.5/m per second to three/m per second. Since that change will imply the mechanical brakes received’t be used as incessantly, Mercedes has devised a system to pump the brakes every so often to maintain all of the transferring elements in working order.

In the meantime, each the EQS and EQE sedans may have their towing capability elevated from 750 to 1700 kg (3750 lb), bringing them consistent with their SUV siblings. Mercedes has additionally upgraded the Automated Lane Change Stage 2 driver help characteristic, though this may solely work on sure highways. The final bit of fine information is that costs for the EQS will stay the identical regardless of the enhancements. Mercedes says all different fashions based mostly on the EVA 2 totally electrical architectures, such because the EQS SUV, EQE sedan, and EQE SUV, may even profit from many of those enhancements.

The Takeaway

My colleague Tina Casey did a report just lately on a research that predicts steady enhancements in automobile vary as engineers determine new and higher technique to make batteries, inverters, electrical motors, and such. The upgrades to the Mercedes EQS are proof that prediction is correct. We will hardly wait to see what new wonders the EV revolution has in retailer.