Production of the first electric sedan from high-performance Mercedes-Benz subsidiary Mercedes-AMG, the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+, is underway in Germany, and in good news for Australia, it is understood that Mercedes-Benz expects local deliveries to begin in April, 2022.
Mercedes-Benz announced that production of the EQS 53 had gotten underway at its Sindelfingen ‘Factory 56’ plant in Germany last week. The Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 is the first battery-electric AMG production model and is based on the Mercedes-EQ architecture.
Billed as Daimler’s flagship electric model, the Mercedes-Benz EQS was unveiled in April. Sitting atop the Mercedes-Benz EQ series pile of EVs, the EQS also rates highly against its competitors – such as the Tesla Model S.
Boasting a drag coefficient of 0.20 (compared to the Model S drag coefficient of 0.208) and a driving range of 770-kilometres (WLTP), the EQS delivers a maximum power output of 385kW for the mid-range model, all-wheel-drive 5804Matic, and 245kW for the rear-wheel-drive base level 450+ variant.
The EQS 53 4MATIC+ variant, however, boasts dual motors and a max output of 560kW to all four wheels, when fitted with the AMG Dynamic Plus package, allowing acceleration of 0-10km/h in a reported 3.4-seconds and an electronically-capped top speed of 220km/h.
And, in something of a surprise for Australian EV enthusiasts with that little bit of extra cash in their pockets that allows them to consider a Mercedes, the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ currently rolling off Factory 56 production lines are eventually destined for Australian shores.
Specifically, the flagship Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ variant is the first EQS variant currently set to land in Australia, but cheaper variants are expected to follow. Local pricing has not yet been confirmed, either, nor whether any specific Australian-bound models have been produced.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.