We had the chance to drive the EQS in the UK recently and what was immediately obvious is that it’s a complete tech fest. A number of years ago, Mercedes made the font on buttons in the S-Class larger, in recognition of its slightly older buyer profile.
You can have a more restrained standard centre screen, but it’s the Hyperscreen that grabs the attention and tests your tech skills regardless of your age. It looks ahead of its time, designed for an era of self-driving cars where you don’t have to worry about controlling that big round thing that makes the car go around corners.
What will be though is the luxury, the effortless electric drive and the superb level of comfort. The design, too, is something very different, continuing the theme of the four-door coupe that Mercedes made popular with its CLS. It’s a curvaceous thing, sensual even in the way its lines flow, but at the same time it has an executive look about it.
Limo-like also means being able to power along in quiet comfort and the EQS is definitely up to the task there. We drove the 450+, which has 248kW and 568Nm of torque, all of which is available the instant you touch the accelerator thanks to the electric motor and a 107.8kWh battery pack. It’ll take 6.2 seconds to pull its 2,480kg weight to 100km/h but more importantly for most, Mercedes claims a range of up to 729km on a charge.
If you’re fortunate to be travelling in the back seats then you have the option of the full S-Class style experience. Opt for the Rear Luxury Lounge pack and you’ll have reclining leather seats that massage you as you float along, a wireless phone charging pad and an Android tablet to check your emails or surf the net. It’s all rather lovely.That’s the thing about the EQS.
Yeh...not true. Electricity is still being generated from fossil fuels and will be for a very long time. An electric vehicle isnt the answer. Rather hydrogen powered or hybrid with a lighter carbon track.