German performance brand expands its electric performance range with new EQE sedan duo
Mercedes-AMG has unveiled and detailed the next additions to its all-electric performance car range in the form of the Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4MATIC and Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+, the latter of which has been confirmed for Australia.
The catch is that Mercedes-Benz Cars Australia is staying tight-lipped as to the flagship EQE’s local ETA and specification levels, telling carsales this information will become “available in due course”.
Nevertheless, it’s unlikely local specs will vary much from the international details announced today, at least not in terms of the mechanicals with both the ‘53’ and lesser ‘43’ relying on a 90.6kWh battery to power their electric motors.
Both variants also feature a rear-biased all-wheel drive system thanks to their dual-motor configuration, but the motors differ considerably as you can see from the power outputs and performance figures.
The 43’s motors are derived from those seen elsewhere in the regular Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan range, albeit with a few AMG-specific tuning and control tweaks yielding peak outputs of 350kW/858Nm, resulting in a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.2 seconds.
The 53 meanwhile uses AMG-exclusive motors capable of dealing with more current and spinning even faster to produce 460kW/950Nm, however, both figures can be elevated to an even more gob-smacking 505kW/1000Nm with the fitment of the AMG Dynamic Plus Package.
Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration for the standard 53 is just 3.5 seconds, with the Dynamic pack trimming off another two-tenths.
A 3.3-second 0-100km/h time means the AMG Dynamic Plus Package-equipped EQE 53 4MATIC+ is the fastest accelerating vehicle within Merc’s entire E-Class based model family, including Mercedes-AMG’s monster V8-powered E 63 S super-sedan and GLE 63 S mega-SUV.
Unfortunately we won’t get to see what a full-blown Mercedes-AMG EQE 63 or 63 S will be capable of, since the German performance brand has deemed Benz’s larger electric models (EQE and EQS) too heavy to wear its hallow 63 nameplate.
That’s said, it’s not as if either AMG-EQE variant is lacking for grunt or performance, and both the EQE and EQS electric sedans will at least be joined by SUV derivatives (in November and April, respectively, according to reports) and their subsequent AMG versions, although none of them are expected in Australia before 2023.
Straight line performance is only one piece of the AMG game though; acceleration needs to go hand in hand with segment-leading dynamics, which is why both AMG EQE sedans are fitted with AMG’s Ride Control+ adaptive suspension and a rear axle steering system, as seen in first spy shots of the AMG EQE SUV this week as standard.
As always, the AMG Dynamic Select drive programs – Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual – are on hand to help drivers extract maximum efficiency, maximum performance or configure their own driving set-up regardless of conditions or the driving situation.
Underneath the lower and more aggressive body of both variants is an AMG high performance braking system comprising six-piston front callipers gripping 415x33mm rotors and single-pot rears clamping smaller 378x22mm discs.
Upgrading to the optional ceramic brake package also makes the front stoppers even bigger at 440x40mmm.
The performance theme predictably carries over to the cabin too, via AMG seats with red stitching, microfiber, Microcut and Artico upholstery, a D-shaped AMG Performance steering wheel, sports pedals and a plethora of AMG-specific graphics for the infotainment and digital cockpit systems.
For those wanting an extra level of exuberance and elevated opulence, the full-width MBUX Hyperscreen first seen on the Mercedes-Benz EQS limo will be optionally available, equipped with an expanded array of AMG/performance read-outs and graphics.
Away from all the go-faster trinkets, the AMG EQE duo still need to be able to function as regular day-to-day EVs so it’s a good thing that sizeable battery 90.6kWh battery pack yields an effective range of between 444-533km, depending on the variant and options fitted.
In addition to the generous range, the big battery also caters for rapid charging at up to 170kW, which according to Mercedes will add 180km of range (WLTP) in just 15 minutes.
“With two new models, we are expanding our range with purely electrically powered performance vehicles and are thus addressing additional target groups,” said Mercedes-AMG chairman Philipp Schiemer.
“The EQE 43 4MATIC is the entry-level model for electric driving performance from Mercedes-AMG.
“The EQE 53 4MATIC+, on the other hand, focuses on even more sportiness and greater driving dynamics.”
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Keyword: Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 revealed, locked in for Oz