German luxury automotive brand Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the brand new EQS SUV, which will seat up to seven passengers and offer a driving range of up to 660-kilometres (WLTP).
Mercedes-Benz premiered the new EQS SUV on Tuesday night in a digital event that showcased the third model series to be built on its new EV architecture that also delivered the EQS luxury saloon and EQE sporty executive saloon.
“With our EQS SUV, we are presenting our first all-electric SUV on the new architecture,” said Gorden Wagener, chief design officer for Mercedes-Benz AG.
“The futuristic design consists of an emotionally appealing integration of surfaces and shapes, and the seamless transitions reflect the style of our company.
“This creates an aerodynamic and modern look. Together with the innovative, progressive SUV proportions, we are completely redefining SUV luxury of the future.”
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. Source: DaimlerThree models will initially be available, starting with the base model rear-wheel drive EQS 450+ with a single permanently excited synchronous motor (PSM) and an electric drive train (eATS) on the rear axle, delivering 265kW of power output and torque of 568Nm.
The EQS 450+ will also offer a range of between 536- and 660-kilometres.
Meanwhile, two 4MATIC variants will also be available, the EQS 450 4MATIC and the EQS 580 4MATIC, both of which will be all-wheel drive and boast dual PMS motors and eATS on both axles, delivering output of 265kW and 400kW respectively, and torque of 800Nm and 858Nm respectively.
Both 4MATIC variants will also offer a slightly lesser all-electric range of between 507- and 613-kilometres.
Sharing the same long wheelbase as the EQS Saloon, the EQS SUV is nevertheless over 20-centimetres higher and offers up to three rows of seats.
As standard, the EQS SUV will offer rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees, but with upgraded equipment this can increase up to 10 degrees, reducing the size of the turning circle by nearly a metre.
Inside, as an optional extra, the MBUX Hyperscreen spans nearly from pillar to pillar and contains multiple displays – including a 12.3-inch OLED display for the front passenger, giving them their own display and control area – merging seamlessly to create an curved screen band measuring over 141-centimetres wide.
Head-up displays are also available in two sizes as an additional option and show relevant information and actions three-dimensionally in the real driving situation and surroundings.
Mercedes-Benz is also promising that its new EQS SUV will be produced in a completely CO2-neutral way, including CO2-neutral production of the lithium-ion batteries.
Production of the new EQS SUV will begin in a few months’ time at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, US, while the recently opened battery plant in nearby Bibb County will supply the batteries.
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.