As a car enthusiast, I am someone who enjoys trying out sophisticated vehicles. While Tesla is the pioneer when it comes to electric cars, I am pretty excited about the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS that will showcase what the most successful German automaker will be presenting in the future.
Highlighted by a curvaceous body design and advertised to top 300 miles per hour, I was pretty excited to go on for a test drive and tell my readers more about this car. Let’s get to it!
- The Basics of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS
- Are There Any Driver Assistance Features?
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS Captures Information
- Mercedes App to Monitor Health and Wellness
- In Charge of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS
- What About the Range and Battery Life?
- The Sophisticated Interior of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS
- How Effective Is the MBUX System?
- A Car That Drives Through
- What About the Driver Pilot?
The Basics of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS
Before I get into reviewing the tech behind this lovely car, I want to highlight the basic specifications. The EQS is the automaker’s first all-electric luxury sedan under its new EQ brand.
The EQS 450+ with 329hp and the EQS 580 4MATIC with 516hp will be the first versions to be released in the United States. From my research, the preliminary price is set at around $103,000.
The vehicle boasts a drag coefficient of 0.202, making it the most aerodynamic production automobile in the world, only ahead of Tesla’s Model S and the impending Lucid Motors Air.
At the back axle, all EQS vehicles include an electric drivetrain. The front axle of the EQS 580 4MATIC is powered by an electric motor, providing it all-wheel-drive capacity.
What About the Batteries?
The EQS will come with two battery options; however, Mercedes has only revealed information on one of them.
According to the European WLTP estimates, the heaviest version of the EQS has a battery with 107.8 kWh of usable energy capacity. It can go up to 420 miles on a single charge with a charger that works using up to 200kWh.
Are There Any Driver Assistance Features?
I am pleased to say that a wide variety of ADAS makes driving this car more pleasurable, including a camera, lidar, and an ultrasound device.
The technology also detects speed restrictions, overhead frameworks, and construction zone signs, as well as cautions about running a stop sign or red light. The microsleep warning function, which activates once the car reaches speeds of over 12 mph, is another new feature.
Along with that, I love the anti-collision technology that activates while driving in a range of 6 to 120 miles per hour.
Drive Pilot
If I ignored the suggested lane, then the car would activate a one-sided brake technology.
Among the innovative features has to be the Level 3 drive pilot. This allows for complete hands-free driving that is integrated in accordance with the automation regulations in Europe and the USA.
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS Captures Information
Many of the EQS’s technological marvels are linked to an underlying AI that is supposed to understand the driver’s habits.
This is accomplished via software and a bewildering array of sensors. It detects changes in speed, acceleration, and lane using a variety of sensors.
I observed that sensors collect data, which is subsequently analyzed by electronic control units (computers), after which software programs take control and make judgments.
It employs MBUX natural language processing, allowing drivers to manage the climate or start a radio station with their voice.
Ground Clearance
This holds true for the vehicle’s driving functions as well.
For example, if the vehicle enters their neighborhood by a steep driveway or goes over the same set of speed bumps, the MBUX will remember.
The MBUX will recommend lifting the chassis to provide additional ground clearance if the vehicle reaches that GPS position.
Mercedes App to Monitor Health and Wellness
One of the most impressive features is the intuitive Mercedes app which informed me of my pulse rate, sleep quality, and a few other health-related indicators.
The sensor responds to the driver’s behavior actions and, based on the individual, will recommend one of several programs such as “freshness,” “warmth,” “vitality,” or “joy.”
The lighting, climate, sound, and seating may alter according to my wishes and the AI system’s comprehension of those desires.
Of course, the health and wellness sensor is directly integrated with the vehicle’s AI mechanism that can be started by a voice assistant.
Nature Sound Programs
Forest Glade, Sounds of the Sea, and Summer Rain are three new stimulating nature programs, as well as training and tips alternatives. Each session begins with a unique and immersive soundscape.
In Charge of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS
The EQS 450+ gets its power from a single 245-kW rear motor, producing 329 horsepower and 419 pound-feet of torque.
The EQS 450+ accelerates to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds with 5,597lbs on deck without passengers, with a top speed of 130 mph. Those numbers don’t match anything in the Model S lineup; they’re more S-Class-like.
It’s a long way from a long-range Model S’s three-second numbers—and that’s to ensure repeatable performance, not to reinforce ridiculous carbon-economy claims.
I would say that while Supercharging is a sophisticated app for Tesla drivers, Mercedes is a great competitor using the Electrify America charging stations.
Enhanced Maneuverability
Although the driving range hasn’t been assessed by the EPA, the 485 miles on the Euro WLTP cycle should translate to 400+ miles, compared to the Model S’ 412 miles and Lucid’s Air-y 500-mile claims.
The rear wheels can be turned up to 4.5 degrees with the standard rear-axle steering system and up to 10 degrees with an optional upgrade.
This technology is designed to make the 205.4-inch sedan easier to drive in small spaces while also improving its stability at high speeds.
What About the Range and Battery Life?
In addition to being able to charge the battery from 10 to 100 percent in about 11 hours and 15 minutes using a 240-volt (Level 2) charger, the EQS can supposedly recharge 70% of its battery in about 35 minutes using a DC fast charger.
A lithium-ion battery pack with a useful capacity of 107.8 kWh supplies power to both EQS variants.
Mercedes hasn’t revealed the sedan’s EPA-estimated driving range, but based on the less demanding European WLTP test cycle, it should be good for around 478 miles.
We estimate the more cautious EPA-rated range to be greater than 300 miles.
Battery Packs
Mercedes’ battery pack has a lot of room for improvement, and a performance version with up to 630 horsepower is on the way.
Place your wagers on the three letters it will wear, which are likely to be G, A, and M.
The Sophisticated Interior of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS
What I was most impressed by has to be the luxurious interior of this electric vehicle. The EQS is lined with attractive, high-quality fabrics on the inside and comes with a plethora of decadent features.
Ambient interior lighting, front and rear headrest cushions, and an Executive Rear Seat package are just a few of the attractive amenities.
The latter incorporates heated neck and shoulder chairs, as well as a separate tablet for controlling the MBUX infotainment system.
The most striking option, though, is Mercedes’ Hyperscreen: a massive wall-to-wall glass panel that spans the instrument panel and encompasses the infotainment system.
All About the Hyperscreen
The EQS does come equipped with a digital dashboard, which looks futuristic.
I love the Hyperscreen, which, as mentioned, is an infotainment system encased in a massive wall-to-wall glass panel that reaches across the instrument panel.
While its digital display appears to be cutting-edge, the EQS comes with a more traditional dashboard as standard.
How Effective Is the MBUX System?
The EQS’ MBUX infotainment system, particularly the 56-inch-long Hyperscreen, is one of the car’s most noticeable interior features.
The normal setup is a tablet-like touchscreen that extends from the center console and hovers above the dashboard.
But the optional Hyperscreen is a three-screen display that operates as a single large display.
The 12.3-inch gauge cluster, 17.7-inch central touchscreen, and 12.3-inch passenger-side touchscreen are among them.
Voice-Command
The EQS has a fingerprint scanner that activates individual driver profiles, the “Hey Mercedes” voice-command system, and augmented-reality navigation in the head-up display.
This is all in addition to the dazzling array of screens.
There are six USB-C ports throughout the interior on every model, as well as a Burmester audio system.
A Car That Glides Through
The EQS handles like an S-Class despite having a significantly different weight distribution. Four regeneration modes allow drivers to customize the power mapping (auto, light, sail, max).
I could also customize its behavior by selecting one of four drive modes (Individual, Sport, Comfort, or Eco), which change the steering and damping accordingly.
I sped around hundreds of hairpins and sped down highways at posted speeds, watching the EQS calm the road with the same borderline arrogant control as an S-Class sedan.
Regeneration Mode
In both cars I drove, Regen modes had a noticeable effect on the EQS brakes.
The extended travel of the brake pedal of the EQS 450+ was overcome by the maximum recuperation before using the superb front and rear brakes.
What About the Drive Pilot?
Mercedes arranged for a test drive in the company’s future Level 3-capable Drive Pilot. At speeds up to 37 mph, the driver-assistance system can work hands-free.
The EQS was able to flow naturally with traffic, avoid a lorry parked halfway in its lane, and avoid poorly executed merges by two vehicles at the same time.
This was done ahead of the rolling test vehicle during the demonstration at Benz’s new test center in Immendingen, Germany.
Since Tesla initially advertised its Autopilot system, drivers have been enthralled by the promise of safer hands-free driving—but we’re still a long way off, at least in the United States.
Complex Regulations
Given the regulatory environment, it’s impossible to see any automaker achieving Level 3 capability in U.S.-market cars by next year.
All of this, plus the ability to play Tetris while the automobile is driving, is promised by the EQS.
It seems both existentially depressing and crazily optimistic.
Summary
I had high hopes and wasn’t disappointed with its sophisticated aerodynamic technology and techno-design.
In the end, I would say that the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS is an impressive vehicle software and hardware-wise.