The 2021 Munich Motor Show has begun and Mercedes-Benz has revealed an arsenal of EQ electric vehicles.

It’s good to have motor shows back and while us as South Africans can’t get to them, we can’t help but feel we’re a step closer to going back to normality. The Frankfurt Motor Show has been shifted to Munich, in the heart of Bavaria and also BMW home ground.

German products aside, it appears that every manufacturer is preaching sustainability and electrification – a strong indication of where mobility is headed. Determined to steal the limelight, the Stuttgart-based manufacturer has revealed more of its Mercedes-Benz EQ range. EQ essentially is it’s electrified portfolio.

Mercedes-Benz EQE Sedan

Mercedes-Benz EQE

This sleek and smart-looking sedan takes the fight to the forthcoming Audi A6 e-tron and Tesla Model S. Visually, it’s not too far from the bigger EQS, with dimensions showing overall length quite shorter than the flagship model. Interestingly, the wheelbase of the EQE is very close to that of its bigger brother.

The EQE Sedan can be optioned with adaptive air suspension and four-wheel steering, but as standard, the models feature steel springs and a conventional steering setup. Inside, there’s a giant central infotainment screen as well as digital dashboard.

As far as range and performance goes, the Mercedes-Benz EQE features a 90.6 kWh battery, rear-wheel drive and outputs of 215 kW and 530 Nm. All-wheel drive will come later. A quoted range of 660 km is on offer based on the WLTP cycle and Merc reckons you can get from 10% to 80% in 31 minutes on a DC fast charger.

Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV Concept

Mercedes-Maybach EQS Concept

This ostentatious concept is said to preview an ultra-luxurious all-electric SUV that will be revealed in 2023. Being a Maybach, there’s a huge focus on luxury and apparently the doors are fully automatic and will open as passengers approach, plus there’s also the option of opening the rear doors remotely as well.

Inside, things get high end as there’s a rear seat entertainment system as well as a vase, champagne flute holders and a fridge. Customers will be able to choose from a rear bench or two individual seats.

Mercedes-Maybach didn’t have much to say about specs, other than confirming the newcomer will be riding on the new electric vehicle platform that will underpin the EQS SUV due in 2022. As far as range goes, 600 km is being touted.

Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 53

Mercedes-AMG EQS 53

Mercedes-AMG also got in on the act with its hot version of the EQS. AMG has given it 484 kW and 950 Nm, but with the optional Dynamic Plus package ticked, 560 kW and 1020 Nm is on tap. A 0-100 kph of 3.4 seconds is claimed with a limited top speed of 250 kph. A range of between 526 and 580 km is claimed based on the WLTP cycle, thanks to a 107.8 kWh battery.

AMG products are known for their engine soundtracks and the engineers added something called the AMG Sound Experience, which plays noises through speakers in the cabin and outside the car. Customers can switch between Balanced, Sport, Powerful, and the optional Performance included in the AMG Dynamic Plus package.

The Mercedes-Benz EQ range already has the EQA, EQB and EQC as well as the flagship EQS.

Further Reading

All-electric Gelandewagen coming

Audi confirms 6 e-tron models for SA in 2022

All electric cars coming to SA in the next few years