Rapid electric vehicle rollout continues at Mercedes-Benz Australia with EQE sedan
MERCEDES-BENZ Australia continues its rapid rollout of battery electric vehicles with the arrival of a three-variant EQE BEV sedan range priced from $134,900 for the EQE 300, $154,900 for EQE 350 4Matic and $214,900 for the EQE 53 AMG 4Matic+ (all before on-road costs).
Although occupying a segment that is waning in popularity, the EQE large sedan is pitched as a “sporty business saloon” and electric alternative to what Benz describes as “the world’s most loved business saloon, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class”.
Like the equivalent E- and S-Class models, the EQE is scaled down from the larger, more imposing EQS and priced accordingly; both EQE and EQS share an architecture specifically developed for electric vehicles, the former riding on a slightly shorter wheelbase with shorter overhangs and more recessed flanks.
Despite its smaller size, the EQE’s slippery drag coefficient of 0.22Cd cannot quite match that of the EQS that achieves a benchmark 0.20Cd.
Mercedes-Benz designers have achieved this while increasing some aspects of interior space over the equivalent internal combustion E-Class, including interior length (+80mm) and front shoulder room (+27mm).
The range-opening EQE 300 has an electric motor on the rear axle producing 180kW of power and 550Nm of torque, fed by an 89kWh battery that is claimed to yield a 626km range and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds.
Inside is the latest generation of MBUX multimedia system, including premium navigation with augmented reality graphics, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, wireless phone charging, fingerprint recognition for storing driver settings, a Burmester premium audio system and head-up display.
The standard AMG Line interior includes heated, electrically adjustable sports seats and a Nappa leather sports steering wheel plus AMG floor mats.
Also standard are a panoramic glass roof and the Mercedes-Me Connect telematics suite that enables owners to view vehicle information and remotely operate various functions using a smartphone app.
Exterior finishes include an AMG Line styling pack with bodykit and 20-inch alloy wheels that belie the EQE 300’s comfort-oriented suspension set-up.
In addition to 10 airbags, a long list of advanced active safety and driver assistance tech is standard on the EQE, which is also supplied with a five-metre charging cable for wallbox and public charging stations, as well as a charging adapter for domestic power sockets.
Upgrading to the EQE 350 4Matic gains a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing 215kW and 765Nm for a quicker 6.3-second 0-100km/h time (its greater thrust indicated by the addition of an AMG lip spoiler) but reduced claimed range of 590km.
The full-house Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4Matic+ takes performance significantly higher, its 460kW and 950Nm capable of propelling the weighty saloon from 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.5 seconds but with a penalty in driving range, which drops to 500km.
Air suspension and rear-wheel steering promise enhanced dynamics, which can be altered via shortcut buttons on the variant-specific AMG steering wheel.
Nappa leather upholstery throughout and ventilated front seats up the luxury ante, while an upgraded security and safety package includes collision and theft detection, as well as remote key deactivation in the event they are lost or stolen.
Mercedes-Benz says it has sustainability front of mind with its all-electric EQ models, all of which are manufactured using resource-saving materials such as secondary steel and conceived with an eye on environmental impact from development to supplier network to its production.
The EQE comes out of a plant in Bremen, Germany, which has been converted to climate-neutral production and takes its electricity exclusively from renewable sources.
Adding to green credentials, production of battery packs for the EQS and EQE, at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Hedelfingen, is CO2-neutral.
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE pricing*:
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300 (a) |
$134,900 |
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350 4Matic (a) |
$154,900 |
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53 AMG 4Matic+ (a) |
$214,900 |
*Pricing excludes on-road costs.
Keyword: Mercedes-Benz EQE priced from $135K + ORC