Mercedes-Benz debuts EQE SUV and AMG performance version

Mercedes-Benz filled news feeds today with multiple press releases about its EV technology. Today’s news includes more details regarding the upcoming EQE SUV, as well as the first images and specifications of the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV that will soon join it. There’s a LOT to unpack here, so let’s jump right in..

Mercedes–Benz is still in the early stages of deployment its EQ line of electric cars, as it works to eventually become an all-electric luxury car brand. This transition began with sedan EQSwhich was soon followed by the smaller EQE model.

In addition to EQC and EQB modelsteased Mercedes seven-seater EQS SUVscheduled for to arrive later this year. Naturally, Mercedes followed the same production path as the sedans, also unveiling plans for an EQE SUV.

The public saw him for the first time of the EQE SUV’s interior last August, and Mercedes is promising more details this fall. Here we are in the middle of October, and Mercedes-Benz has made good on its word. It shared more than one, but three different press releases today, detailing the EQE SUV and more. Let’s start with the standard version.

The Mercedes EQE SUV will arrive with a range of up to 342 miles

According to him press release today, the EQE SUV will be more compact than its sedan counterpart, but still more spacious inside. Mercedes-Benz expects the EQE SUV to offer a range similar to the EQE sedan, with a WLTP rating of more than 550 km (342 miles) for the European versions.

The SUV’s chief engineer, Dr. Oliver Recker, talked about some of the EV’s highlights:

Our large Mercedes-EQ models are so full of innovation that it’s hard for me to single out individual highlights. Even I, as a technician, am always in awe of the futuristic architecture of the interior with MBUX Hyperscreen. But, as is typical for Mercedes-Benz, we didn’t leave that visual “wow effect” behind. With the camera-based front passenger display lock logic, we’ve added a truly customer-focused technical innovation to the imposing screen strip. This allows the front passenger to watch TV, for example, while driving, without distracting the driver. And so I could list many more examples of innovations large and small in this family of models – from A for assistance systems to Z for level zero.

The SUV’s lithium-ion battery pack consists of ten modules, and its in-house developed control software allows over-the-air (OTA) updates. keep energy management up to date. This press release alone is 35 pages long, so we recommend checking it out in your own time. Here we’ve highlighted some of the key features you can expect to see. Spoiler alert: We don’t have prices yet.

• Available in single engine and four wheel drive versions
• Charging capacity
• Trunk Capacity (without/with seats down): 18.4/20.5-59.2 cubic feet
• Length/Width/Height: 191.5/76.4/66.4 inches
• Wheelbase: 119.3 inches (3.5 inches shorter than the EQE sedan)
• Ability to connect and charge
• Heat pump standard
• DIGITAL LIGHT headlight technology (optional)
  • Projects auxiliary markings or warning symbols onto the road

There’s a lot more to reveal, but we’re going to move on to the high-performance AMG version of the EQE SUV, which also made its official debut today.

Mercedes-AMG is also introducing the EQS performance SUV

In Mercedes second press release today it offered the public its first look at the AMG version of the EQE SUV, which will arrive with less range but higher performance and a unique look that only German performance can deliver.

Although Mercedes-AMG has already developed performance versions of others Electric cars of the EQ line, this will be his first SUV. The companies have taken the basic EQE SUV design described above and refined it both inside and out. According to the release:

Two powerful electric motors and fully adaptive all-wheel drive form the basis for AMG’s distinctive dynamics. Many other parameters were developed by the Mercedes-AMG developers themselves. These include AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension with adaptive damping system, rear axle steering and AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL – a special AMG tilt stabilization system. Added to this is the AMG SOUND EXPERIENCE and exterior and interior design.

On the outside, the black-paneled AMG grille comes with hot-stamped chrome uprights, an integrated Mercedes star and ‘AMG’ lettering. A new feature, seen in the images above, is a brand-specific hood badge with an AMG emblem instead of the Mercedes star – the first time it’s been on a pure electric car from Mercedes-AMG. The front end also features an AMG-specific panel painted in body color with an A-wing in gloss black and chrome trim.

Inside the SUV, the instrument panel features Space Gray MB-Tex color dash and belt lines with red stitching. The center door panels flow from the center console to a dashboard in black microfiber with more red stitching, accented by an AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather with a flattened bottom, perforated grip area and silver aluminum paddle shifters. Other unique details include AMG sports pedals, AMG floor mats and illuminated door sill panels with “AMG” lettering.

The AMG version of the EQE SUV can be equipped with an optional curved MBUX hyperscreen that stretches from A-pillar to A-pillar, complete with three separate screens inside a single pane of glass. Here, future drivers will be able to choose from several different driving characteristics using the Mercedes-AMG AMG DYNAMIC SELECT programs:

As with the original press release for the EQE SUV, there are tons of specs and detailed descriptions of the upcoming electric car inside and out, so we highly recommend checking them all out for yourself. However, if you’re in a hurry, here’s a pretty decent breakdown of all the relevant specs available in the AMG version.

Pricing and Availability

According to Mercedes-Benz, the standard version of the EQE SUV will launch this December at the automaker’s US plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Batteries will be supplied from its nearby facility in Bibb County, which also currently supplies electric vehicle batteries for the EQS SUV.

Based on these two factors, some version of the EQE SUV may eventually result qualify for federal tax credits under the revised terms set forth in the recently signed Inflation Reduction Act. However, the price threshold for electric SUVs is $80,000 or less. We don’t yet know where this electric SUV will land with its starting MSRP, but hopefully at least some of its trim levels will qualify for credits since it’s built in the US.

While we also don’t have pricing for the AMG version, we expect that U.S. consumers who opt for the performance model likely won’t qualify for federal tax credits. They are can still claim a state exemption however. However, we will be able to confirm once we get the official prices for both versions, which should be closer to the start of sales. Stay tuned for updates.

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