When the first EQS launched in 2021, it represented the first all-electric luxury saloon in the Mercedes range, although the German manufacturer produced its first ever electric car in 1906. As one would expect, the car was simply fab, however you looked at it. From the point of view of design, the EQS was futuristic, elegant and sleek, outside and inside. Its MBUX Hyperscreen, which spanned all along the frontal dashboard of the car, made of a single pane of curved glass, seemed like something out of spaceship. The sleek design also meant that the EQS was, when launched, the most aerodynamic production car in the world with one of the largest ranges of any EV.
The AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is the first all electric car in the Mercedes performance segment, built on the bones of the EQS, in what to me, is a natural progression, given how impressive the original EQS was. As all the other models in the AMG range, the EQS 43 4MATIC+ comes loaded with brand-specific features in design, drive system, suspension, brakes and, of course, sound. As soon as you sit at the wheel and press the start button, you realise you are in for something truly special. For starters, it accelerates like a demon (0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds), thanks to a torque that reaches 950Nm, 1020 in Race Start mode with the boost function (part of the Dynamic Plus package). Once you get your brain back from the rear window and start to drive, you notice how the car seems to glide, courtesy of the AMG EQS’s powerful electric powertrain, with one motor each at the front and rear axles, all-wheel drive, which optimally transmits the drive power to the road in all driving conditions.
The Mercedes-AMG EQS combines sports performance with the luxury of a grand tourer in a thrilling, first-class driving experience.
The suspension components that have an influence on the driving dynamics are new and AMG-specific. The suspension features a four‑link axle at the front and a multi-link axle at the rear. This translates into ride comfort as well as driving dynamics. The AMG Ride Control+ suspension is an air suspension system combined with adaptive, electronically controlled adjustable damping together with rear-axle steering as standard. As a result, the AMG EQS is highly manoeuvrable despite its size, light-footed and as agile as a ballerina.
I drove it on the UK roads, so I couldn’t test its top speed. I am told though that with the optional package, the speed is “limited” to 250km/h and in the basic version, to 220km/h.
Seasoned drivers of electric cars will appreciate to learn the range of this new AMG and charging times, both of which matter a lot, if you are to have a loving and lasting relationship with your EV are vastly improved. Fear not, this car goes and goes and goes with one charge. I drove from West London to the furthest point in the coast of Norfolk and still had 1/3 of the battery. If you drive in Sport or Sport+ mode, the range suffers very little. Still, Comfort would always be my choice for a journey of more than 300km. If, despite its amazing range of over 500km, you find yourself in immediate need of charging, the computer on board will tell you the location of the closest chargers, and which are fast charging points. The latter will top up 300km of range in just under 20 minutes.
I drove the Mercedes AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ from West London to the furthest northeastern point of the Norfolk coast and still had more than 1/3 of the battery charge.
On top of that, it’s energy recuperation when braking can add up significantly to your range so basically, you can drive comfortably from London to Durham with just one charge and get there with juice to spare.
Inside, the cabin feels huge and luxurious, with the sporty edge characteristic to all AMG models. We have AMG seats with individual graphics and special seat covers in sustainable Artico man-made leather (you can have nappa leather too if you prefer) with microfibre and red contrasting topstitching.
The interior of the Mercedes AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is dominated by style-defining AMG features, providing the car with a very sport, yet luxury appearance and feel.
The steering wheel is very cool, flattened at the bottom, as in Formula 1 cars, perforated in the grip area with silver-coloured aluminium paddles for setting various recuperation levels, in addition to standard AMG steering wheel buttons, sports pedals and AMG lettering in both the floor mats and the door sill trims. So basically, not only it drives like a proper sports car, but it also feels and looks like one too.
However, in terms of space, you can comfortably accommodate a basketball team and still have space for them to pass the ball around. This is even before I get to the boot, which is so big that I can literally fit in it.
With a capacity of 610 litres, the boot of the Mercedes EQS is the largest in its category; for anything bigger, you need to get a van.
The MBUX Hyperscreen allows the co-pilot to watch films, read text messages, surf the web or play with the onboard computers but the driver can’t see any of it. This is made possible by what Mercedes call “blanking function”. Because it is an AMG, the instrument cluster has additional features, head-up display and quick access to driving modes from the centre console.
The Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is equipped with the innovative MBUX Hyperscreen as standard. This large, curved screen unit extends from A-pillar to A-pillar.
I am not surprised that Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑AMG GmbH, proudly stated, “The AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is the first all-electric ambassador in the performance segment, made in Affalterbach. It is tailor-made for car enthusiasts who are looking for a combination of innovative electric mobility in a luxurious ambience, coupled with sportiness and agile driving dynamics. With our first all-electric AMG vehicle, we will undoubtedly appeal to and win over a new clientele for Mercedes-AMG.”
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Words: Julia Pasarón
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