Inspired by the EQS, the Mercedes EQE is one of the electric cars with the greatest power of representation. It boasts a luxurious cabin, state-of-the-art technology and a range that removes any fear of long journeys. We analyze it thoroughly.
Little by little Mercedes is occupying segments with its 100% electric vehicles. With the EQA, EQB, EQC, EQS, EQV and the upcoming EQS SUV the German manufacturer has one of the most complete EV ranges. Now add the new mercedes eqe within the category of representative sedans, a luxurious vehicle that I have already been able to drive in its presentation to the press.
It is the second model of the star brand that uses the architecture for electric vehicles EVA2 -after the Mercedes EQS- and is manufactured in the German factory in Bremen for the whole world, with the sole exception of the Chinese market because its production is local there.
The design of the German saloon sports typical Mercedes-EQ elements. The rounded shapes define the bodywork and with clean surfaces that move away from any hint of stridency. It also stands out for its muscular shoulders, very short overhangs, frameless doors and a forward cabin. Usually looks smart and athletic.
The silhouette of the EQE seems very particular to me, especially the rear. In this segment, cars usually show a well-marked third volume, but the EQE has a roof line that slopes gently to the end of the trunk lid, giving a different look than a traditional sedan. This solution benefits aerodynamics.
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Mercedes has implemented some more features in search of that fluidity in the air flow when the vehicle is running, knowing that it is a key element to achieve good autonomy. With this objective of efficiency, the door handles are flush with the bodywork and some of the alloy wheels, which range from 19 to 21 inches, have unique plastic covers.
The exterior dimensions of the large German electric saloon are set at 4.95 m long, 1.96 m wide and 1.51 m high. A large vehicle whose measurements are slightly larger than those of the Mercedes E-Class sedan, being, specifically, 1 cm longer, 7 cm wider and 5 cm higher.
However, considering its generous exterior size, cargo space is relatively small because the trunk has 430 liters of capacity. For comparison, the two models of similar size that Mercedes has in its range offer a much larger cargo volume: the E-Class Berlina offers 540 liters and the CLS reaches 520 liters.
Despite the profile of the rear, the star brand has not taken the opportunity to implement a practical tailgate as in the EQS. the window is fixed and the trunk lid has an electric opening system that gives access to a fully upholstered space but without too many options to hold the load. Under the floor there is a small compartment to deposit objects.
My impression is that Mercedes has cared less about the trunk to benefit the interior habitability. In the EQE it is noticeable plenty of legroom and shoulder room in the rear seats. This second dimension is not a surprise because I commented before that the external width is considerably greater. It’s also taller but you don’t notice more room for your head because you’re also sitting higher: the high-voltage battery is under the floor. Occupants over 1.80 m tall will rub against the ceiling.
In front you can enjoy a cozy, spacious and, above all, luxurious atmosphere. The EQE shows state-of-the-art driving position with six color combinations and a dashboard that can be paneled with open-pore magnolia wood or a plastic surface with a backlit pattern of stars made by laser perforation, to name a few examples. The only criticism is the excessive use of glossy black plastic in some areas such as the center console.
The proposal is especially innovative with the MBUX Hyperscreen system which can be optionally mounted. There are three screens arranged under a cover glass that, with a length of 1.41 m, reaches practically from side to side of the vehicle. The slightly curved glass surface consists of scratch-resistant aluminum silicate. The vision is spectacular and it is also combined with a brand new ambient lighting system with multiple options for color, intensity and animations.
One of the screens is the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel whose image quality is fantastic and allows for various customization options. curiously Mercedes has not included the visualization with 3D effect and nobody will miss it because when I tried it in an S-Class I ended up deactivating it after a short time because it contributes little and ends up dizzying.
The right front seat passenger enjoys his own 12.3-inch OLED screen where, among other functions, he can play streaming video or TV shows. A camera inside the passenger compartment is able to recognize if the driver is looking at the passenger’s display and, in that case, the system automatically dims the dynamic content
In the center is a gigantic 17.7-inch screen infotainment system. It’s an absolute blast, quite easy to use considering the myriad of features it has and enjoys Over-the-Air (OTA) updates and of course Android Auto and Apple Carplay compatibility.
navigation with Electric Intelligence plans a dynamic route including stops to recharge the battery and calculating the expected costs of charging at each stop. The Mercedes system gives the option of excluding the charging stations that we do not want to use and adding new stations manually.
Mercedes-EQ representation saloon is saved more gadgets such as the Energizing Air Control Plus system that includes a hepa filter that purifies the outside air that enters the passenger compartment, retaining fine dust, microparticles and pollen. The filter retains up to 99.75% of the particles and, in addition, the activated carbon lining reduces the concentration of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and odors in the cabin.
Test of the Mercedes EQE 350+
Eager to drive north from Lisbon along the Atlantic coast, I set off with the latest electric car from the star brand. The initial mechanical range is made up of two variants: the Mercedes EQE 350+ and the Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4Matic. Later the proposal will be expanded with the Mercedes EQE 500 4Matic and the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4Matic+. The 4Matic versions have two electric motors (one on each axle) while the rest are rear-wheel drive with a single electric motor.
The EQE 350+ is the entry-level option and also the rational choice. With 215 kW (292 CV) of power and 656 Nm of torque, the performance is magnificent but it is also the version that can travel the longest on a single charge: homologated 648 km of electric range in WLTP cycle.
This spectacular record is achieved thanks to an astonishing drag coefficient of just 0.22 and a lithium-ion battery with a usable capacity of 90.56 kWh (96.12 kWh gross). The battery pack, made up of 10 modules, weighs a total of 557 kg and uses nickel, cobalt and manganese in a ratio of 8:1:1.
The consumption records that are achieved are low. I do not want to take the risk of giving average consumption data because, as it was a presentation event, it was not possible to carry out routes of varying types, distances and weather conditions, but it is possible to go below 20 kWh/100 km if you keep a steady pace.
Mercedes guarantees the durability of the high-voltage battery for ten years or a mileage of 250,000 kilometers. The shipped charger has a charging power up to 170 kW which means that in just 15 minutes you can gain up to 250 kilometers of autonomy. That’s how I like to travel.
The Mercedes EQE is one of the most comfortable cars on the market and the experience of traveling on board is extremely pleasant. The silence of march is fabulous: I did not expect mechanical noise but it has caught my attention that aerodynamic noise is hardly heard. To this end, the Germans have paid special attention to the shape of the A-pillar and the exterior mirrors and the sealing of the side windows, the joints have been reduced and numerous hollow spaces in the bodywork have been filled with soundproofing foam.
For those who miss the sound associated with displacement, Mercedes proposes acoustic concepts called Silver Waves, Vivid Flux and Roaring Pulse that react to accelerator pedal position, speed or recovery. Interesting if you want to do a more emotional driving.
In addition, the EQE consists of a four-link front suspension and a multi-link scheme on the rear axle, a solution similar to that of the S-Class. As an option, the airmatic air suspension with progressively adjustable ADS+ damping that superbly filters out any irregularities in the asphalt.
In the list of extras you will also find the rear axle steering. Two different versions are offered, with a rear wheel steering angle of up to 4.5° and up to 10°. In this second case, the turning diameter decreases from 12.5 to 10.7 meters, an exceptional agility for a car of this size.
Perhaps in that desire to isolate the driver from the outside it is explained the direction is very insensitive, it does not transmit anything but allows effortless maneuvering. Paddles located behind the steering wheel empower the driver adjust retention in three levels to drive with a single pedal, have a medium recovery level and enjoy a sailing mode with zero retention. There is also an automatic level in which the vehicle is capable of managing the appropriate deceleration itself to achieve greater efficiency.
The star brand proposal is interesting because the EQE is almost like an EQS but with a more practical size and a more contained price. The Mercedes EQE is for sale from 76,000 euros and will target both a public interested in technology and sustainability and companies that want an electrified fleet of representation vehicles.