After the EQS and the EQE, Mercedes is presenting a third model that was specifically developed as an electric car. Its optional third row seating and off-road capabilities make it unique to the EV market.
Starting this summer, the all-new EQS SUV will roll off the production line at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama. It has the same wheelbase as the EQS sedan (3.21 metres) but stands 20 centimetres taller. It is clearly recognisable as an EQS, with the LED light strip across the front and the black front panel, as well as its streamlined design. Its SUV look stems from the wheel arch surrounds and the door sills in contrasting black.
RWD or 4x4
At launch, the EQS SUV will be available as a rear-wheel drive 450+ with a 265-kW (360-hp) and 568-Nm electric motor. The range-topping 580 4MATIC gets an additional electric motor to drive the front wheels and boost the system output to 400 kW (544 hp) and 858 Nm.
In both cases, the battery can hold 107.8 kWh, which should suffice for a driving range of at least 600 kilometres on a single charge. Charging the battery with alternating current is possible at 11 kW as standard. A 22-kW on-board charger is available as an extra. The EQS SUV can fast-charge at a maximum of 200 kW, so that up to 300 kilometres of driving range is added in 15 minutes.
Air suspension and adaptive dampers
As a self-respecting top-class Mercedes, the EQS SUV comes with Airmatic air suspension and continuously adjustable dampers (ADS+) as standard. Not only do these systems assure optimum comfort and drivability, they also allow the vehicle body height to be adjusted for either more ground clearance (up) or reduced aerodynamic drag (down). The 4MATIC version also features an Offroad programme for better terrain performance.
Just like the EQS Saloon, the EQE and the S Class, the EQS SUV gets four-wheel steering to enhance agility and manoeuvrability. The rear wheels can turn up to a maximum of 4.5 degrees as standard or 10 degrees as an optional extra that can be unlocked with an over-the-air software update, reducing the turning circle of this 5.12-metre-long SUV to that of a an A Class.
Five or seven-seater
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV can be equipped with two additional individual seats in the back. This makes it the second electric Mercedes (after the EQB) available with seven seats.
The second row can slide and recline electrically to provide more space in the boot or increase the legroom for the rear-most passengers. The boot holds a minimum of 645 litres and can be expanded to 880 litres with the second row pushed all the way forward. With the two optional extra seats in use, there is still 195 litres of cargo volume left.
