Mercedes-AMG, the brand that creates the performance cars for the German carmaker, has revealed the beefed-up electric variants of the Mercedes EQE luxury electric sedan.

Two versions – the EQE 43 4MATIC and the EQE 53 4MATIC+ – have been unveiled with reports suggesting that the more potent variant, the EQE 53 4MATIC+, is headed to Australian shores.

Both models get a dual electric motor set-up with one on each axle – a set-up that also delivers all-wheel drive. Power ranges from 350Kw/858Nm in the EQE 43 to 505kW/1000Nm for the EQE 53 when fitted with an optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package. Performance is, naturally, pretty awesome, with the EQE 43 getting to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds and capable of a 210km/h top speed, while the EQE 53 can reach 100km/h in 3.3 seconds and top out at 240km/h.

Both models come with a 90.6kWh battery pack with some tweaks made to the battery management system and wiring harness in the EQE 53 to deliver higher performance.

The battery system can charge with up to 170kW at fast charging stations with direct current and, in this scenario, 180km of charge can be delivered in 15 minutes. Thanks to the onboard charger, the AMG EQE models can be charged at home or at public charging stations with 11kW or optionally 22kW with alternating current.

The battery can also be charged through energy recovery using regeneration power that reaches up to 260kW. The driver can adjust the level of recuperation in three stages with Mercedes-AMG saying that one-pedal driving and combined braking to a standstill are possible in certain modes.

Range on a full charge comes in at a max 533km for the EQE 43 and 518km for the EQE 53.

Helping to ensure there’s always power on hand is a ‘Navigation with Electric Intelligence’ system that can plan the fastest and most convenient route, including charging stops, and which can, the company says, react dynamically to traffic jams or a change in driving style. The system includes all relevant data in its calculation, from topography and route to driving speed and heating and cooling requirements.

Standard-fit is the AMG Performance 4MATIC (EQE 43) or 4MATIC+ (EQE 53) fully variable all-wheel drive. In both models, the system continuously distributes drive torque between the front and rear axles depending on the driving situation and the company says that compared to a mechanical all wheel drive system, the electric-specific system ensures a significantly faster response.

AMG Ride Control+ air suspension with adaptive adjustable damping is standard, as is rear axle steering, which delivers a steering angle of up to 3.6 degrees.

A high-performance brake system delivers the stopping power with six-piston brake callipers and 415x33mm brake discs up front and single-piston brake callipers and 378x22mm brake discs at the rear. An optional AMG ceramic high-performance compound brake system uses 440x40mm brake discs at the front when 21-inch wheels are fitted.

The EQE models have the slippery, aerodynamic styling that is the mark of the EQ electric vehicle brand, but pick up some AMG-specific features such as the black panel grille with hot-stamped vertical struts in chrome, Digital Light headlamps that feature a specific AMG projection when opening and closing the vehicle, the front splitter in high-gloss black with chrome trim and air diffusers on the left and right in high-gloss black, amongst other elements.

Inside, AMG features abound too, with AMG seats with individual graphics and special seat covers in Artico man-made leather with Microcut microfibre and red decorative topstitching. Alternatively, seat upholstery in nappa leather is available, also with AMG-specific seat graphics. There are also AMG badges on the backrests of the front seats and embossed AMG emblems in the front head restraints.

There’s an AMG Performance steering wheel from which plenty of driving functions can be controlled, and both models can be had with the incredible A-pillar-to-A-pillar Hyperscreen with AMG-specific functions and displays for the MBUX infotainment system.

Further AMG options can be had, including design features such as the AMG Night Package with elements in black and black chrome, red brake callipers, or AMG carbon-fibre trim elements. There is also the choice of 20- and 21-inch AMG light-alloy wheels.

AMG Track Pace is also available as an option. This software is part of the MBUX infotainment system and permanently records more than 80 vehicle-specific pieces of data – such as speed and acceleration – while driving on a racetrack.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (March 2022) 

8 March 2022