AFFALTERBACH: Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the EQE SUV, a further milestone in its electrification strategy – the first all-electric SUV from the performance and sports car brand.
With its variable interior and performance-oriented drive concept, it is the most versatile electric vehicle in the Mercedes-AMG portfolio. The new model also offers generous space for passengers and luggage.
Like the AMG EQS Saloon and AMG EQE Saloon, the AMG EQE SUV is based on the electric platform from Mercedes-EQ.
Two powerful electric motors and the fully variable all-wheel drive form the basis for the hallmark AMG dynamic driving experience.
The Mercedes-AMG developers have also designed many other parameters independently.
These include the AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension with Adaptive Damping System, rear-axle steering and AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL – an AMG-specific roll stabilisation system. Added to this are the AMG SOUND EXPERIENCE and the exterior and interior design.
Two variants of the new performance SUV are available: The entry-level Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4MATIC (provisional WLTP combined power consumption: 25.1-22.0 kWh/100 km; provisional WLTP CO2 emissions: 0g/km)1 and the even sportier Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ (provisional WLTP combined power consumption: 27.8-22.6 kWh/100 km; provisional WLTP CO2 emissions: 0 g/km)1.
Many AMG characteristic features on the exterior guarantee a high recognition value. These include the AMG-specific black panel radiator grille with hot-stamped vertical struts in chrome, integrated Mercedes star and “AMG” lettering.
A new feature is the brand-specific badge on the bonnet with the AMG emblem instead of the Mercedes star: It now also adorns a purely electric vehicle from Mercedes-AMG for the first time.
Another front-end feature is the AMG-specific front apron, painted in the body colour with A-wing in high-gloss black and a chrome trim. The same look characterises the front splitter in high-gloss black with chrome trim and flics and fins on the simulated air inlets.
The standard DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps feature a specific AMG projection when opening and closing the vehicle.
In the side view, AMG-specific wheel arch claddings in the body colour and the seamlessly integrated, fully recessed door handles add visual accents. Added to this are aerodynamically optimised 21 or 22-inch AMG light-alloy wheels.
The rear apron in the body colour with aerodynamically optimised diffuser and longitudinal fins as well as the tail lights in a helix design round off the dynamic appearance.
The interior is also dominated by style-defining AMG features. Here, the new models offer a sporty ambience including seats with individual graphics and special seat covers in ARTICO man-made leather with MICROCUT microfibre and red topstitching.
Alternatively, seat upholstery in nappa leather is optionally available, also with AMG-specific seat graphics. In addition, the AMG badge on the backrests of the front seats and the embossed AMG emblems in the front headrests emphasise the brand identity.
Among other features that underline the distinctive style of the interior are AMG sports pedals, AMG floor mats and door sill panels with “AMG” lettering (illuminated with interchangeable cover)
The AMG Performance steering wheel with its twin-spoke design and integrated buttons combines visual stability with lightness. The steering wheel rim, which is flattened at the bottom and covered in nappa leather, can be heated as an option.
Both new models can be optionally equipped with the MBUX Hyperscreen. This large, curved screen unit extends from A-pillar to A-pillar. Three screens sit under a single glass cover and appear to merge into one.
With adaptive software, MBUX adapts completely to its user and offers personalised suggestions for numerous infotainment, comfort and vehicle functions. With the zero layer, the most important applications are always displayed situationally and contextually on the top level in the field of vision.
In Europe and China, dynamic content is also permitted on the passenger display while driving. Unrestricted viewing of films, text messages or presentations, plus internet surfing, are therefore possible.
This is made possible by the “blanking function”, which prevents the driver from seeing the content. But even without dynamic content, the passenger display remains an attractive eye-catcher because then a new, AMG-specific screensaver appears.
MBUX offers a range of additional AMG functions that emphasise the performance character.
This is particularly true of the distinctive displays in the instrument cluster, as well as the multimedia display and the head-up display.
Quick access to the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs is provided by the corresponding direct-entry button in the centre console. The five drive modes are “Slippery”, “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport+” and “Individual”.
The Dolby Atmos sound format takes the audio experience in the EQE SUV to a new level. Individual instruments or voices in the studio mix can be positioned all around the listening area.
A new kind of sound animation thus becomes possible: Because while conventional stereo systems usually have left-right dynamics, Dolby Atmos can use the entire range and create a 360-degree experience.
With the premium digital entertainment platform from Californian specialist ZYNC integrated into a vehicle for the first time, customers enjoy a seamless digital entertainment experience. The advantages of the MBUX Hyperscreen are fully exploited. Through ZYNC, customers gain access to a wide range of renowned global and local streaming services.
The ZYNC platform focuses exclusively on vehicle interiors, and integrates seamlessly with vehicle hardware and operating systems. This enhances the audio-visual experience, interaction and user-friendliness. ZYNC offers video streaming, on-demand content, interactive experiences, local video programmes, sport, news, games, and much more besides, via a single user interface.
Both new Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV models offer a performance-oriented drive concept with two electric motors. The electric powertrain (eATS) with a motor at the front and rear axle also offers fully variable all-wheel drive, which transmits the drive power to the road in all driving conditions.
The power spectrum ranges from 350 kW (476 hp) in the EQE 43 4MATIC to 505 kW (687 hp) in the EQE 53 4MATIC+ with optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package with Boost function. The maximum torque ranges from 858 to 1,000Nm.
The AMG-specific electric motors at the front and rear axles are permanently excited synchronous motors (PSM).
The electric motors of the EQE 43 4MATIC SUV feature AMG-specific tuning and control. The EQE 53 4MATIC+ SUV uses AMG-specific electric motors with adapted windings, different laminations, higher currents and adapted inverters.
This allows higher motor speeds and thus even more power, which is particularly noticeable during acceleration and in the top speed.
The electric motor on the rear axle is particularly powerful thanks to its six-phase design, based on two windings with three phases each. The stator with pull-in winding ensures a particularly strong magnetic field.
Added to this is the highly resilient thermal concept, which allows repeated acceleration manoeuvres with consistently high performance. The centrepiece of the sophisticated design is the so-called water lance in the shaft of the rotor, which cools it.
Other AMG-specific cooling elements in the cooling circuit include special ribs on the stator and the needle-shaped pin-fin structure on the inverter, which is made of high-performance ceramics. In addition, there is the transmission oil heat exchanger: In addition to cooling, the oil is also preheated during cold starts to increase efficiency.
The AMG RIDE CONTROL+ suspension with air suspension and Adaptive Damping System is based on four- link suspension at the front and multi-link independent suspension at the rear, each optimised with AMG-specific wheel carriers, suspension links and anti-roll bars with greater rigidity.
The special tyres, which are specifically adapted to the requirements of the all-electric AMG Performance vehicles, also contribute to the high dynamic potential.
Among other suppliers, the Michelin Pilot Sport EV MO1 tyre specifically designed for electric-drive performance vehicles is worth mentioning. It is available in 21 or 22 inch size and features low rolling resistance combined with very high grip levels on wet and dry roads.
Both Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV models are equipped with active rear-axle steering as standard. The steering angle of up to 9.0 degrees promotes agile handling and allows a turning circle of 10.9 metres.
be called up in the Sport+ drive program, or in all drive programs by kick-down. In the drive programs (except Sport+), the maximum power is adjusted to increase efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.
The new Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV models are equipped with a powerful 328-volt high-performance drive battery manufactured using the latest lithium-ion technology.
It has a usable energy content of 90.6 kWh and consists of ten modules with a total of 360 pouch cells. The battery management system in the EQE 53 SUV is also tuned specifically for AMG.
The battery sits in a crash-protected area in the underbody, embedded in the bodyshell structure and including an extruded aluminium profile to the side.
The housing with energy absorbing structures at the front and side, as well as a rigid, double-walled base plate, provide additional protection for the modules. The battery is designed to be reliable and have a long service life. It is warrantied to last at least 10 years or up to 250,000km.
In addition, there is a separate, multi-level safety system for everyday operation. This includes, for example, temperature, voltage or insulation monitoring. If a fault occurs, the battery switches off. Crash monitoring when stationary is also standard.
Finally, the SUV is also smart if there is a risk of not reaching the destination or the charging station with the chosen settings. The MBUX would then informrf the driver in good time with a note to activate the ECO driving functions, thanks to “Active range monitoring”.
Keyword: Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV debuts