- When EQE SUV arrives in March, it will be available as a 350 4Matic and a 500 4Matic
- No power output numbers available yet, but range should be in 450-km territory
- In-house battery software, along with other systems, will be updated over-the-air (OTA)
- AMG EQE SUV tops out at 626 hp, or 687 hp in boost mode
- The vehicles will be built in Alabama, with no pricing details yet
Another week, another all-new EV reveal—or, in this case, two. Mercedes-EQ has pulled the sheets off its latest all-electrics, the 2023 EQE SUV; and the high-performance 2024 AMG EQE SUV. The mid-size sport crossover is the fourth model built upon the company’s electric vehicle architecture, joining the EQS and EQE sedans and the recently released EQS SUV in an expanding EV stable. The EQE SUV is nine centimetres shorter than the EQE sedan, and has shorter overhangs and a coupe-like C-pillar curve, giving the sport crossover a much more dynamic look than the full-size EQS SUV.
The Canadian market will get two EQE SUV models — the 350 4Matic and the 500 4Matic — and no word yet on what AMG trims will be available for that 2024-model-year vehicle. Each EQE SUV comes with a 90.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with a WLTP range rating of 550 kilometres, so probably in the 425- to 475-km range under EPA testing. Power output figures have yet to be released.
2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV Photo by Mercedes-EQ
The crossover shares many of the technological updates found in its big SUV brother, including all-new battery management software that was developed in-house and allows for over-the-air (OTA) updates; the MBUX Hyperscreen option; and a standard heat pump. Those OTA updates allow for some of the original equipment to be individually customised, and according to Mercedes-EQ, that includes the range being successively expanded. The Hyperscreen merges three display screens into a single 141-cm-wide display that literally stretches across the entire dashboard of the cabin. And the heat pump features a clever system that channels wasted heat from the battery, the inverter, and the electric motor into the passenger cabin, thus reducing the heating system’s draw on power and therefore adding to overall range.
Another innovative feature designed to better range efficiency in the all-wheel-drive crossover is a system that decouples the front wheels under certain driving conditions to allow for less resistance, a concept in the EV engineering world known as “sailing.” Like the new battery software, this technology has been developed in-house by Mercedes-EQ engineers.
The chassis features a four-link suspension at the front and an independent multi-link suspension at the rear, and an optional air suspension system offers continuously adjustable damping. Selectable drive modes include Eco, Sport, Individual, and Offroad. The vehicle level can be raised by up to 25 millimetres, and an optional rear-axle steering system provides a maximum steering angle of 10 degrees.
2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV Photo by Mercedes-EQ
2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV Photo by Mercedes-EQ
2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV Photo by Mercedes-EQ
2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV Photo by Mercedes-EQ
Another innovative feature is a navigation system designed with an electric vehicle in mind. Punch in a destination and the system plans the fastest and most convenient route, including charging stops, based on numerous factors. It will react and reroute due to traffic jams or a change in driving style; will calculate the expected charging cost for a charging stop; and a driver can add preferred charging stations along the route or exclude suggested charging stations.
An industry first for the EQE SUV is the available Dolby Atlas sound system, which makes it the first vehicle to be equipped with Dolby-certified 4D sound. The Bermeister sound system comes with 15 speakers and is said to provide full 360-degree sound.
And speaking of sound, the EQE SUV debuts the fourth EV soundscape in the Mercedes-EQ universe. Called “Serene Breeze,” it, according to press notes, “offers a relaxed and natural sound. With the holistic sound staging, the paradigm shift from combustion engine to electric car becomes audible for the occupants in the Mercedes-EQ models. A variety of soundscapes allows for an individual acoustic set-up. An optional interior driving sound is available. This adjusts adaptively to the driving style.”
The cabin gets the same luxurious design features and materials as its EQ stablemates, with unique diamond stitching in the seats, a striking colour combination of dark seating and light floor and ceiling, and a standard panoramic roof. Rear cargo space is good for a mid-size crossover, as is second-row leg and headroom.
2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV Photo by Mercedes-AMG
AMG turns it up to 11
The EQE SUV is the first all-electric sport-ute the performance-mad engineers and designers at Mercedes-AMG have got their hands on, and judging from the specs they have lived up to their well-earned reputation.
At the heart of that is — surprise, surprise — a drivetrain that features a performance-oriented drive concept with one electric drivetrain (eATS) each on the front and rear axles as permanently excited synchronous machines (PSM), plus fully variable all-wheel-drive. Those AMG-specific electric motors have adapted windings, other laminations, and adapted inverters. Other AMG-y add-ons include a standard-fit air suspension with rear-axle steering, and AMG SUV-specific roll stabilisation.
Now, the numbers. Power output is up to 460 kW (626 horsepower), and equip this uber-CUV with the AMG Dynamic Plus Package and put it in Race Start mode with Boost function and that figure jumps to 505 kW (687 hp). As to torque, there’s 950 Nm (701 lb-ft) in, ahem, “normal” mode; and hit that magic boost mode and that leaps to 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft). And in that mode, hang on: zero to 100 km/h happens in 3.5 seconds, and the top speed rating is 240 km/h. No range numbers have been released.
2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV Photo by Mercedes-AMG
2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV Photo by Mercedes-AMG
2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV Photo by Mercedes-AMG
2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV Photo by Mercedes-AMG
2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV Photo by Mercedes-AMG
2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV Photo by Mercedes-AMG
2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV Photo by Mercedes-AMG
To keep all that power where the rubber meets the road, the AMG EQE SUV comes with a choice of 21- or 22-inch Michelin Pilot Sport EV MO1 tires specially designed for electric-drive performance vehicles. And stopping those low resistance, grippy boots are standard AMG brakes, or optional carbon-ceramic ones.
As with all AMG products, this EQE SUV version gets several gear and cosmetic upgrades over the base model, including a carbon-fibre AMG steering wheel, an AMG grille, high-gloss black trim parts, and a first for an all-electric AMG, the AMG logo on the hood rather than the traditional Merc star.
And even though this is a quiet-running EV, AMG has built in a ‘Performance’ sound experience with ‘balanced,’ ‘sport’ and ‘powerful’ versions. The intensity of the sound setup depends on the power demand and the selected drive program, and even provides aural sensations for charging and motor start.
Production of the EQE SUV will begin at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in December and is expected to arrive at Canadian dealerships in March of next year, while the AMG version won’t be here until 2024. No pricing for either model has been released.
Keyword: First Look: 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV and 2024 AMG EQE SUV