Mercedes EQS 450+: Less is enough

With the electric trend, automakers could maneuver themselves into a dangerous situation. Because the time of the coveted top models as profitable image carriers could soon be over. The best example is the new Mercedes EQS 450, which offers hardly less in real operation than the large 580. In reality, the performance deficit is hardly significant and in terms of range, the beginner even has significant advantages of up to 100 kilometers. The new flagship from Daimler divides the star fans. Some see the electric flagship as the leap into a new age of cars; others have difficulties with the so-called one-bow design and complain that the EQS does not offer the grandiose luxury of the top-of-the-range S-Class combustion engine. Be that as it may – times at Daimler are different – at the latest since the management team recently announced that they would largely switch to electric motors by the end of the decade.

This brings with it numerous changes not only in terms of design, because every digit after the decimal point is fought for in the drag coefficient and the frontal area. The classic limousine often becomes a version with flowing shapes and thus a mixture of Ford Scorpio, Citroen CX 25, a bar of soap and a Werthers Echte lolly. This is the only way to achieve maximum range and efficiency so that an electric model like the Mercedes EQS can halfway keep up with the S-Class with a combustion engine. But the question remains as to whether a model like the Mercedes EQS has to have the top engine of the 580 with its 385 kW / 522 hp or whether the current entry-level version of the EQS 450 is sufficient. It is 245 kW / 330 PS strong. In itself a considerable difference, which will be even bigger with the Mercedes AMG EQS that will follow in autumn, but in reality the whole thing looks a bit different, because here in the Mercedes EQS 450+ at least a real alternative to the much more powerful 580.

The reason is obvious, because the acceleration values ​​of the 450+ with 0 to 100 are in reality hardly relevant 6.2 seconds fast enough and both engine variants are sealed off too early at 210 km / h. Letting go of the reins on the motorway and simply driving up to a speed of 250 or even faster is therefore not possible with the EQS 580. And in real operation on German roads and, admittedly, strictly limited Swiss motorways, the current top model with its 522 hp and gigantic 855 Nm brings you little advantage apart from the enormous thrust. Because the 330 hp and 568 Nm of torque are enough to move the 2.5-ton rear-wheel drive car quickly or even quickly. A small intermediate sprint here, a sleek motorway speed there – the EQS 450+ can do all of that too.

You drive such an electric luxury limousine a little differently than with a combustion engine and the sonorous V8 sound from the babbling exhaust system doesn’t exist anyway. In the end, only the all-wheel drive makes the difference and the Mercedes EQS 580 4matic is equipped with it. However, you hardly have to be a prophet that the basic version from Sindelfingen will sooner or later be followed as an all-wheel drive version. And whoever fights for every kilometer on long journeys before it goes to the charging station is in any case better off with the weaker model. It offers its driver a significantly lower recuperation power of 186 to 290 kilowatts thanks to the solely driven rear axle, but whoever stands at a fast charging station can boost the Mercedes EQS 450+ for up to 300 kilometers in 15 minutes if the battery is only between the axles is empty enough. The all-wheel drive creates a maximum of 260 kilometers in a quarter of an hour. In addition, the consumption of the EQS 450+, which is around 100 kilograms lighter, with 15.8 to 19.8 kW / 100 kilometers, is significantly lower than the 18.3 to 21.4 kWh of its more powerful brother. No wonder that the bottom line of the 450 has a range advantage of 780 to 676 kilometers.

Otherwise, the differences between the 450 entry-level model and the interim top model of the EQS 580 4matic are just as barely noticeable as with other models from Daimler. The space is generous, even if many will miss an additional version with a long wheelbase. And especially in the rear, the Mercedes EQS is neither a 450+ nor a 580 competitor to the S-Class, which offers a completely different level of comfort in terms of travel and seating comfort, and not just thanks to the available individual seats. Especially the chauffeur variants of the EQS – on the main market Asia – will be kept within limits. Thanks to the battery pack built into the floor, you sit much higher than with the burner brother from Sindelfingen and there are no electric blinds or fully adjustable seats in the rear. After all, the hatchback’s cargo space swallows with 610 to 1,770 liters, which is significantly more than the current S-Class.

If desired, the front and rear doors can be opened electrically. The imposing monster cockpit with the three screens is always a show. Three displays for the driver, front passenger and as a central unit show the surroundings in an impressive way. The sharp display is good and nice for the copilot; however, its functions are hardly displayed on the central portrait display. Currently, the passenger cannot watch films or surf the net while driving. There is therefore only real added value on the two other screens in the rear.

But the travel comfort is different from what has been known from the Mercedes S-Class for decades. The recently relaunched classic bounces softly and with limitless comfort over all imaginable uneven floors thanks to its air suspension. The driver and passengers in the first and second row of the electric Mercedes EQS notice that the journey is more decoupled, but somehow a bit tighter than usual thanks to the air suspension that is also installed, which is always fun to drive. The quiet during the journey is more than impressive. You seem more decoupled from the outside world than ever.

You not only travel almost noiselessly in the Mercedes EQS 450+, but also more relaxed than with the S-Class on country roads, the motorway or through the city. The massive length of 5.22 meters and especially the endless wheelbase of 3.21 meters is skilfully whitewashed by the standard rear-axle steering. You get used to the springs, which are tighter than the Mercedes S-Class, as well as to the smooth steering, which goes well with the character of the electric luxury sedan. For the spoiled S-Class customer, this only applies to a limited extent to the general feeling, because in terms of luxury, attention to detail and especially seats, the S-Class is in a different league than the EQS. There won’t be much difference in cost. The prices of a Mercedes EQS 450+, like the EQS 580 4matic, will be at the level of a comparable combustion engine and thus the Mercedes S 450. That would be around 110,000 euros.