Why a driving report about a car that would have cost you a small condominium a few years ago? Because the EQS is a future-oriented car whose technologies will soon be found, at least in part, in more affordable vehicles. However, it is not an eco-mobile.
If it's a new world, then it's the right thing: If you want to experience the S-Class at the level of an electric car, you still have to stay with Mercedes and use the EQS. Because the abbreviation stands for what is currently the most luxurious way of getting around by electricity.
The Swabians were kind enough to put the top model of the series in front of our door, apart from the even more powerful (and even more expensive) AMG variants. In the 580 version, the opulently long 5.22 meter four-door has two electric motors with a combined output of 385 kW/523 hp, which provide a torque of 858 Newton meters. One motor drives the front axle and one the rear axle, which is why the EQS has earned the Mercedes abbreviation 4Matic for all-wheel drive.
Given these figures, what can one say about the trip in this noble electrician? Unsurprisingly, it accelerates extremely fast, on request in 4.3 seconds to 100 km/h. And unlike some other electric cars, the EQS can also go (really) fast on request - up to 210 km/h are possible.
Then, however, as every driver should know by now, the battery empties at record speed because consumption increases disproportionately. The large battery still has a capacity of 108 kW/h, so that although the announced maximum of almost 700 kilometers is hardly possible, real 500 kilometers are definitely possible with normal driving.
That's not the only reason why range anxiety should actually not be an issue. The EQS is also equipped with plenty of artificial intelligence (AI). The navigation system not only calculates the quickest route according to the current volume of traffic, but also takes into account the charging status, the charging stations available on the route and the course of the route. You can rely on the calculation in practice, we always found a free charging station and almost always reached our destination with the previously calculated remaining charge level.
The locomotion experience itself is better described as "floating" than "driving". The comfort is fantastic, because the chassis and the insulation are just as outstanding as in an S-Class, but of course the engine noise is almost completely absent, only a pleasant whirring accompanied our way. In addition, the EQS is amazingly handy. This has a lot to do with the steering rear axle, which makes parking or maneuvering much easier. Up to four degrees in one direction or the other - this is even part of the standard equipment for this variant. If you want up to ten degrees, you can get it "over the air" in the car for a surcharge.
The so-called Hyperscreen is installed as standard in the 580. Many couldn't describe the effect of the almost one and a half meter wide curved pane of glass other than with "Wow". We're happy to join. The huge display with an area of two and a half square meters running over the entire dashboard is impressive. It is divided into three parts: a TFT display for the driver and two OLED panels, one in the middle for navigation, air conditioning, etc. and one for the passenger.
Nice detail: If the front passenger seat is not occupied, only a decorative pattern is displayed on the right-hand screen. That's good, because as impressive and futuristic as the hyperscreen is, you sometimes feel like you're in digital overkill. There is also a large head-up display that is easy to read even with dark-tinted sunglasses on your nose. And by the way: We have often said that MBUX voice control is currently the best system on the market and it still applies.
The EQS was the first Mercedes electric vehicle to be based on a specially developed platform. It is called EVA (Electric Vehicle Architecture) and also forms the basis for other models such as the EQS SUV or the electric E-Class EQE, of which there is or will also be a sedan and an SUV.
The engineers have made good use of the freedom of a purely electric platform, especially as far as space is concerned. The occupants have plenty of space, also thanks to the very long wheelbase of 3.21 meters. In addition, there is the significantly small installation space for the components, because there is no gearbox, cardan shaft or exhaust system and an electric motor is comparatively small.
The frequently drawn analogy to "business class" is simply wrong here. As a Lufthansa passenger, for example, you would be happy if you had half as much space and especially legroom for an expensive ticket at the front. You can feel lost in the back seats. And unlike other luxury-class saloons, the luggage compartment in the EQS is also generous: even in its normal state, the luggage compartment offers space for 610 liters of luggage.
Anyone who folds down the rear seat backs creates space for 1760 liters, since hardly a station wagon can keep up. This makes the EQS probably the finest van in the world at the moment: the very well-equipped 580 costs just under 142,000 euros.
Nevertheless, as always with the German premium brands, it is of course no problem to drive the price up by a few tens of thousands of euros. As I said - who drives EQS has decided: If new E-World, then right.
Technical specifications
