Spy Shots Of First Non-EQE Electric Mercedes-Benz E-Class Surface
Mercedes-Benz has already admitted splitting its lineup of vehicles into separate categories for gas- and electric-powered models was a mistake. Its EQ line of electric cars and SUVs looked good on paper in terms of range and performance, but their overly aerodynamic styling and giant touchscreens, as well as dropping their gas counterparts' recognizable name, proved to be insurmountable obstacles. EQ cars have since been dogged with low sales and some of the highest depreciation of any car, gas or electric, on the market.
The future of electric cars at Mercedes is what you're looking at right here. Yes, it may appear to be a typical EQE AMG Line, but according to our spy photographers, it's a mule for the first electric E-Class model that will arrive after the current EQE goes away for good. Mercedes will call this new vehicle the E-Class with EQ Technology, a naming convention it will use for all of its next-gen electric cars.
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What Are We Looking At?
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The interesting thing about the next generation of electric vehicles from Mercedes is not only will they drop their separate naming scheme, they will no longer have distinct designs, either. That means the electric E-Class mule being tested in these spy photos will ultimately appear near indistinguishable from its gas-powered sibling. Mercedes plans to achieve this feat despite both cars using entirely different platforms that are suited to their respective powertrains.
Of course, since this car is an early mule, the body it's wearing divulges nothing in terms of what the production model will look like. In fact, the only thing we do know is that it will look nothing like this car.
That said, the spy photos do show an interesting variation from a typical EQE AMG Line, which is the length of its wheelbase and the size of its rear wheel openings. The mule's wheelbase appears to be shorter than the current EQE and its rear wheel has trouble filling the space of its rear fenders. The only thing that tells us, though, is that the new electric E-Class may be slightly smaller than the current EQE.
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TopSpeed's Take
It's not a matter of opinion that styling has had a lot to do with the poor reception of the current class of electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. Their overemphasis on aerodynamics has resulted in anonymous, blob-like shapes that lack any emotional appeal. Unlike other Mercedes-Benz vehicles, they lack prestige and look anonymous. Despite these EQ cars and SUVs being excellent electric vehicles in terms of their performance, they just haven't resonated with the electric-car-buying public.
All that makes this electric E-Class mule a very important vehicle. This will be the automaker's second swing at electric vehicles and this time it must connect. No automaker, even one as successful and robust as Mercedes-Benz, can afford to whiff on an entire lineup of vehicles twice in a row without serious repercussions to its business.
