Mercedes-Benz EQS First Look

Who doesn’t fancy the Merc S-Class? All the opulence, luxury and comfort combined in a world-class sedan. Since 1972, the S-Class has whisked the upper class through different journeys and now it will do what it does best in silence as Merc’s all-electric S-Class, a.k.a the EQS sedan, is here. 

Mercedes-Benz’s second electric model after the EQC, has been launched in India. For now, there’s only the AMG EQS 53 4-MATIC+, basically a high-performance version of the electric sedan. It will be a completely imported model, taking on the likes of the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT. 

Revv Up The Electric Motor

The all-wheel drive AMG EQS 53 can offer over 1000Nm of torque! Yes, that’s right. The EQS AMG is rated at 658PS and 950Nm for the Standard pack, while the optional Dynamic Plus pack ramps it up to deliver 762PS and 1020Nm. 

The standard EQS AMG can sprint from standstill to 100kmph in 3.8 seconds, but one can shave off an extra four-tenths (0.4 of a second) with the Dynamic Plus pack. 

There are five drive modes to choose from, namely: Slippery, Individual, Comfort, Sport and Sport+. You can customise the suspension, steering feedback, and even how the car sounds. The EQS gets 9-degree rear-wheel steering for improved manoeuvrability. 

Driving Range

The AMG EQS 53’s 107.8kWh battery pack offers a driving range of 586 kilometres (WLTP) on a full charge. It is capable of fast charging from 10 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes with a 200kW charger. 

Futuristic Styling

The EQS sports a fastback design and ditches the traditional three-box sedan silhouette. The steep sloping roofline also gives out the coupe-type design. The slotted panel with the huge ‘Merc Star’ up front is exclusive to the AMG variant. Above the grille, you have a sleek DRL flowing through the entire front profile, which integrates into the digital LED headlamps. 

The bonnet lines overlap the wings and mind you, they can’t be opened. Only an authorised workshop has the tools and expertise to pop the hood. So, there’s no frunk storage here, as we see with most of the EVs today. Not that you need it, but it’s always nice to have more storage space. 

Move to the sides and you have the busy-looking black 21-inch wheels that blend with the EVs futuristic look. You can spot the EQS branding on the A-pillar black applique and 4MATIC written on the fenders. The flush-fitting door handles are illuminated and help with the aerodynamics of the EQS.

The slightly lifted-up derriere flaunts the connected LED tail lamps with the 3D Helix design, that light up in a sequential manner. Then there’s the notchback-type boot shape which gives you slightly over 600 litres worth of boot space. 

The Hyperscreen!

Step inside and you’ll be greeted by the EQS’ MBUX-powered Hyperscreen. The seamless-flowing three-screen display looks quite revolutionary and says that this is the most futuristic Mercedes. Two 12.3-inch displays for the driver and passenger flanking the large 17.7-inch central touchscreen display can give you control over any function of the car. 

When we divulge into the functionalities of the 56-inch Hyperscreen, it will take you weeks to just learn everything and find all the hidden features. Besides just listening to music, changing climate control, and going through the navigation, you have tonnes of functionalities to work with. 

You can play games like Tetris, listen to the news, schedule meetings and even operate the massagers and workouts for the front passengers. One of the most interesting features is the Track Race mode, where you’ll get the proper F1 lights’ send-off. 

The Snobby Cabin

The EQS looks quite exquisite and elegant from the inside and mainly, feels like an S-Class. Soft leather touches, the Nappa leather upholstery, the free-flowing air con vents above the dashboard, the turbine-type driver and passenger vents and the AMG-exclusive seats and pedals are some of the visual elements that look striking. 

The 64-colour ambient lighting actually lights up the entire cabin and makes it look like a lounge. The colour changes with different functions like if you’re increasing/decreasing the air con settings. 

Since it's the AMG variant, you have massagers for the front seats, with several different themes. You can opt for a wavy massage, a vibrating massage or even a workout massage. On the centre console, you have a ‘BlackBerry’-style touch button which houses a fingerprint scanner. 

Multiple users can set up their prints to customise the seats, climate control, steering position, and even the drive settings and the person who puts their print on the scanner, will have all the personalised settings. 

Move To The Back

Since it's an electric S-Class, we have to talk about its rear seats. The ultra-high supportive seats can cure anyone’s back pain and make a person fall asleep the minute they sink in them. The rear armrest opens up for a wireless charger and a rear control tablet which lets you operate the ambient lighting, ventilation, recline and lumbar for the rear seats, and even the sunroof. While the headroom gets limited due to the steep roofline, overall, you feel very comfortable and relaxed at the back. 

Also read: 

• Mercedes EQS Electric Sedan Launched In India At Rs 2.45 Crore

• Mercedes-Benz EQB All-Electric SUV To Be Launched In India Within 2022

Wrap Up

Priced at an expectedly eye-watering Rs 2.45 crore (ex-showroom), it’s the most advanced and tech-laden Mercedes that you can buy today in India. It does what an S-Class should do - make you travel in peace and luxury, but in an electric avatar and that too, with the AMG performance. 

Its styling is unique and gives us an insight into what Mercedes has in the bag for us with its future EV range. We sure dig the Hyperscreen and can just hope to see it in other Mercedes models too.

While the AMG version is now on sale, Mercedes is also rolling out the EQS 580 variant in September, which will focus even more on rear seat magic and the 580 will also be a locally assembled model, which will help keep its prices in check.