An electric Mercedes-AMG may seem like a bit of a misnomer, and while the Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 is missing some of the theatrics, it doesn't skimp on performance.
Interior & Space
Silent operation, reduced emissions, and simplicity are all drawcards of the electric vehicle. The fact that electric motors provide instantaneous torque is a convenient bonus. So who say that EVs can’t be performance cars? Mercedes-AMG likes to think that they can, and the Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 sedan is proof of that. I’ve always maintained that the ‘baby’ AMG models are the sweet spots for everyday consumption, but in the EQE sedan range, it may be too much to handle.
In regular, garden-variety Mercedes-Benz, you can choose the EQE 350+ sedan with an EQE 500 available in other markets. Whether we’ll see the 500 largely depends on the acceptance and success of the 350+ locally. When you wish to dial things up and venture down the performance route, the EQE 43 4Matic is the only on on offer to us, for now. The range-topping EQE 53 4Matic+ may still make an appearance though. We spent some time with the baby AMG and this was our first sampling of this new, electric direction for Mercedes-AMG.
Styling
Aerodynamics play a pivotal role in the efficiency of an electric vehicle. Drag increases exponentially as speeds increase, and this simply saps power from the batteries. We’ve tested this theory, and by slowing down to a cruising speed of 90 or 100 km/h makes a massive difference in the achievable range. So, it’s to be expected that the EQE, which is billed as a long-range EV, would be as slippery as a bar of soap.
The front of the EQE is silky smooth and rounded off to allow air to simply glide off of the metal. There’s no venting in the front grille, and the front clamshell is devoid of bonnet lines. This looks strange at first, but taking a walk around the EQE 43 reveals handsome proportions for the most part. Large LED headlights with adaptive high beam control flank the Panamericana-style grille and rest above a bumper that is unmistakably AMG in its execution.
The rear of the EQE is smoothed out as well, and without the small rear boot lid spoiler, it would wear lines similar to that of the CLA and CLS models. The back end is dominated, however, by a taillight element that spans the entire width of the rear, passing through the boot lid and joining with the narrow LED taillights on either end. The EQE 43 rolls around on 20-inch alloy wheels, but our press unit was equipped with the stylish and, yes, aerodynamic, 21-inch optional wheels shod in 265/35R21 Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres.
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Space & Interior
Befitting a vehicle in this price and status range, the interior is expertly trimmed in a wash of leather and high-class materials. The interior design echoes the simplistic approach taken with the exterior styling, and simplicity is the overriding theme. The minimalist approach to the design sees most of the switchgear moved to within the MBUX infotainment system, controlled via the large, portrait-orientated screen. Swooping curves on the lower edges of the dash are offset by the slab-like fascia, finished off in a brushed metal texture. Initially, it seems as if there are no air vents but a closer inspection reveals a slim-line air vent that spans the entire dashboard. Classy and elegant.
As much as the sedan segment is fading, there’s still something to be said about the inherent practicality of the form. The EQE 43 offers you a 430-litre boot, which is more than adequate and will comfortably swallow up groceries, luggage and golf clubs.
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Comfort & Convenience
It’s not only drag and efficiency that force the engineers of EV cars to concentrate on making the bodywork as smooth as possible; the silent operation and running of the vehicle means that any recessive wind noise filters into the cabin and creates an uncomfortable environment for the passengers. The EQE and its slick design allow for the cabin to remain exceptionally silent and tranquil, even at highway speeds. Road noise is limited, and one could easily consider the EQE an isolation chamber.
The dashboard is the large slab that it is because it prepares for the MBUX Hyperscreen, the large, dashboard-width screen available as an option on certain high-end Mercedes products. This EQE 43 does not have that, though, but it does have the floating portrait screen through which most of the vehicle functions can be accessed. One of my favourite new features is the auto adjustment of the seat and steering wheel. Simply enter in your height, and the seat and steering wheel, mirrors as well, will adjust to the best position for you to drive in. It gets it to within 90% of your preferred position with only small adjustments needed.
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Performance
What would an AMG be without bonkers performance figures? The Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4Matic is no slouch and features two permanently excited synchronous motors (PSM), one on each axle, tp provide 350 kW of power and a rather biblical 858 Nm torque. The rear motor is a 6-phase unit with 2 sets of 3-phase windings to provide more power than the front. This gives the EQE 43 4Matic rear-wheel-drive characteristics and allows the chassis to rotate through corners in a typical AMG fashion.
The 0-100 km/h sprint is completed in a mere 4.2 seconds, according to Mercedes-AMG, but in our testing, we registered a sub-4-second sprint in the thin air and cool conditions of our test day. Top speeds are not the forte of electric vehicles, but the EQE 43 4Matic is said to be able to run through to 210 km/h. Regenerative braking helps not only recharge the battery but also aids in braking the rather heavy vehicle from these speeds.
While the performance is impressive, it lacks in the sense of theatre one typically expects from performance of this nature. The silent running and lack of gear changes mean that you simply rocket off to headbutt the horizon with no warning or drama.
Fuel Economy
The battery is a 90 kWh unit comprised of 10 individual modules. It is constructed from a combination of nickel, cobalt and manganese in a ratio of 8:1:1. This reduces the cobalt content to less than 10% and is kinder to the environment. It helps make the Mercedes-AMG batteries easier to recycle and provides a more sustainable passageway for the components in later years. This battery is covered by an 8-year/160 000 km warranty.
Mercedes-AMG claims an electric range of between 438 and 506 km, but with spirited driving, you can expect closer to 400 km from a full charge.
Safety
On the safety front, the EQE 43 4Matic features a comprehensive host of active and passive safety systems, including automatic high-voltage cut-off systems that will disable and isolate the electrical currents from the 400 V architecture in the event of an accident and feature a pedestrian presence indicator that operates at speeds under 30 km/h to alert passers-by of its presence.
You get a total of 7 airbags as standard, with nine airbags as an additional, optional extra. Advanced driver assistance systems include active lane keep assist, auto speed adjustment for maximum economy, Distronic active and adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist.
Price
Before options, the Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4Matic sedan will cost you R2 112 950. It is sold with a 2-year/unlimited km warranty (with an 8-year/160 000 km warranty on the battery system) and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
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Competitors
Sticking with EVs as options, it’s hard to ignore the slightly smaller but equally engaging BMW i4 M50 and the Porsche Taycan. The soon-to-be-released BMW i5 is a more direct competitor, and initial pricing seems to be favourable.
Verdict
The Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4Matic is a rocketship; there’s no denying that, but each and every time I climbed on board, it left me feeling cold. It’s not just because it’s an EV and missing the soundtrack; there’s just a muted execution to all of it. Perhaps I was expecting more from it, and I don’t doubt that there is a market for those that want to go fast (or at least know that they can) while revelling in comfort and minimalism simultaneously. For me, the combination didn’t gel.
Keyword: Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4Matic (2023) review - Lightning in a jar