Mercedes-Benz revealed its upcoming all-electric luxury car, the Mercedes EQE 2023, following the debut of its flagship Mercedes EQS 2022, set to hit U.S. markets next spring.
As the EQS is the electric equivalent of the S-Class, the Mercedes EQE 2023 is the electric counterpart to the E-Class. In prototype form, it measures 196.6 inches in length, 77.2 inches in width, and 59.5 inches in height, all within an inch of the Tesla Model S.
The EQE is a traditional sedan, unlike the Model S and EQS, which are hatchbacks, featuring a fixed rear window and a separate trunk lid. What sets it apart is its significantly long wheelbase of 122.9 inches, sharing the dedicated EV platform with the EQS, providing ample cabin and occupant space.
This extended wheelbase allows for visual tricks, offering distinct impressions of its proportions from different angles. Similar to the larger EQS, the EQE follows a futuristic “one-bow” profile that becomes aerodynamically radical in some details. With wheels pushed to the corners due to the long wheelbase, the visual extension of space from the front wheels to the front doors makes the EQE look exceptionally long without another car nearby for context.
The EQE is presented in rear-wheel-drive, featuring a single permanent magnet motor on the rear wheels producing 288 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes claims it will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, reaching a top speed of 130 mph. A second version, expected to be a performance AMG model with dual-motor all-wheel drive, is likely to come later.
A flat 90.6 kWh lithium-ion battery resides beneath the floor, seemingly utilizing a high portion of its energy as usable capacity. Mercedes-Benz claims a range of 410 miles based on the European WLTP cycle, so expect a slightly lower figure in the American context. The pack will charge in 9.5 hours with a 32-amp (240-volt) Level 2 connector, and DC fast charging at 110 kW will enable a 10% to 80% charge in 31 minutes.
Similar to the EQS, the EQE offers the Hyperscreen design, comprising a central 17.7-inch OLED screen and two 12.3-inch screens, one for the instrument cluster and the other for the passenger, all framed within glass for a seamless interface. The base design includes a 12.8-inch central vertical OLED touchscreen and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. The interface features a “zero-layer” approach that simplifies navigation through menus, and available augmented reality video can assist with navigation by overlaying a location image. The ambient LED interior lighting of 64 colors helps set the desired cabin atmosphere.
In addition to the full set of expected active safety features in a new Mercedes-Benz product, the German automaker introduces notable technology to the feature list. This includes “energizing” audio soundscapes, an active fragrance system, four-zone climate control, an air suspension, and rear-axle steering that allows the rear wheels to “turn” up to 10 degrees, depending on the version, to aid maneuverability or agility while adding stability on the road. Available comfort front doors automatically extend handles as the driver approaches, and the driver’s door opens and closes automatically with just a press of the brake pedal.
More details, including pricing, are yet to be disclosed.
