Mercedes-Benz EQE five-seat EV boasts family-friendly space and optional AMG pace
Mercedes-Benz has revealed its latest electric SUV, the EQE SUV, including a powered-up EQE53 AMG flagship for the family-focused lineup.
Slotting between the mid-sized EQC and larger EQS SUV, the EQE SUV is expected to prove popular with well-to-do families looking to make the switch to electric. Pricing is expected to start at around $160,000 when the car goes on sale in Australia in the third quarter of 2023 as an EV alternative to the fossil fuelled GLE.
Like the EQS SUV, the EQE SUV was designed from the outset as an EV. The two models share the same architecture.
And, like the EQS SUV, the EQE SUV shares much of its underpinnings with the sedan of the same name (minus the SUV addition to the nomenclature).
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That said, the EQE SUV has a wheelbase 90mm shorter than its sedan sibling. That wheelbase is also 180mm shorter than the EQS SUV., yet the two are similar in width and the EQE SUV is only 19mm narrower.
So it’s effectively a short wheelbase version of the EQS SUV, albeit with some key design differentiators; the EQE SUV gets a more traditional bonnet, for example, instead of the clamshell unit on the EQS SUV (in both cases there is no under-bonnet storage).
There are big differences inside, too. While the EQS SUV is available with three rows of seats and seating for up to seven people, the EQE SUV will get only two rows of seats catering to five people. That could limit its appeal compared with the GLE, which is available with seven seats.
Beneath the skin, EQE SUV and EQS SUV share plenty of electrical components.
A shortened version of the battery pack also means less capacity, although at 90.6kWh it’s still among the largest on the market today.
Claimed range is upwards of 550km, depending on the model.
And the battery warranty is for 10 years and 250,000km with a guarantee that at least 70 percent of the original capacity will still be in play.
Single- and dual-motor setups for EQE
The most affordable version of the EQE SUV will be the EQE300. It will get a single electric motor driving the rear wheels (outputs are yet to be confirmed).
There will also be dual-motor versions utilising the hardware from the EQS.
The EQE SUV will come with steel springs as standard but an optional Airmatic suspension system is expected to feature on most models.
An optional rear-wheel steering system is designed to enhance manoeuvrability and high-speed stability by turning the back wheels up to 10 degrees.
Inside, the EQE is very similar to its EQS SUV sibling.
There’s no shortage of opulence, although the dashboard on the EQE is not as bluff.
It’s still loaded with tech, though. The spectacular Hyperscreen – which houses three large screens across the dash – will be available depending on the model and market.
The EQE SUV is also the first car to feature Dolby Atmos surround sound.
Mercedes-Benz EQE53 SUV
The pinnacle of the new EQE SUV lineup is the EQE53 AMG-modified model.
The EQE53 AMG uses the same basic hardware as regular EQEs, but has undergone various tweaks and changes to improve performance.
The electric motors have more windings in them, for example, allowing for greater outputs.
The EQE53 SUV makes up to 505kW and 1000Nm when operating in boost mode. That’s enough to launch to 100km/h in as little as 3.5 seconds, which is seriously quick for a family SUV.
There’s a catch with that ballistic acceleration; it can only be achieved when the battery’s state of charge is above 70 percent. Given Mercedes-Benz recommends the battery is rarely charged above 80 percent (to extend longevity) it leaves a narrow window to experience the pinnacle of EQE performance.
The braking system is also based on that of the regular EQE, albeit with tweaks including to the software to improve performance.
The EQE53 also gets an air suspension system as standard and gets the rear-wheel steering system as standard.
Design modifications include a unique grille that showcases the toothy look of modern ICE AMGs. There are also unique wheels and the AMG badge bolted on the bonnet in lieu of the three-pointed star. The EQE53 also gets body-coloured wheel arches as opposed to the black on regular EQE SUVs.
