Powerfully exciting Mercedes-AMG EV sedans

By Lee Pang Seng

GOING fully electric doesn’t mean taking the fun out of driving if Mercedes-AMG has anything to do with it. While Mercedes-Benz Malaysia had been introducing its respective range of EVs (electric vehicles) here in AMG Line trim, the launch of the AMG EQS 53 and EQE 53 ups the ante on powerful EV options for the well-heeled to consider.

The equation to the performance-oriented drive concept lies in the two motors in the powerful electric powertrain, one each at the front and rear axle transferring power to the road via a fully-variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive. That means more electric power to boot for that gut-wrenching performance.

Take the EQE 350+ AMG Line that was introduced here late last year. It has a single motor that delivers 215kW (292hp) and 565Nm, which are impressive numbers as it were. It accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds and has a top speed of 220km/h. Its range is 669km (WTLP).

In the AMG EQE 53, electric power delivery goes up considerably to 460kW (625hp) and torque is 950Nm. As you would expect, that means the AMG EQE 53 is a lot quicker too, covering the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.5 seconds, although it weighs an additional 185kg at 2540kg kerb. Top speed is slightly higher at 220km/h. And like the engine variants, a more powerful car means shorter range too; 458-527km (WTLP), which is still good enough for long distance driving.

The AMG EQS 53 has more on tap in the power department at 484kW (658hp) while torque output is the same at 950Nm. Being a heavier car as the flagship EV sedan (2700kg), it loses a little on standing acceleration at 3.8 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint. Top speed is also the same at 220km/h while its range is surprisingly higher at 513-571km.

However, if you use the AMG Dynamic Plus package that comes standard with the AMG EQS 53, the power output is increased to 560kW (761hp) and motor torque to 1020Nm in Race Start mode with boost function. It then beats the AMG EQE 53 slightly at 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds but the battery level must be at least 75 per cent. Its top speed is also capped at 250km/h.

If you are wondering why Mercedes-AMG is starting with the big boys first rather than models down the line, it’s probably because the EQE and EQS are fully developed from Mercedes-Benz’s first dedicated electric platform called the Electric Vehicle Architecture 2 (EVA2). Those down the line are based on platforms designed originally for combustion engines.

AMG EQS 53

As seen earlier in the year in the CKD version in Pekan, the AMG EQS has a body profile that stands it apart from the combustion engine variants. With its one-bow lines and cab-forward styling, the design philosophy is said to be reflected in the ‘generously modelled surfaces, reduced joints and seamless transitions’.

Its AMG character is visually presented in obvious areas; the standard digital headlamps flank AMG-specific black panel grilles with hot-stamped chrome vertical struts and high-gloss black front apron with hallmark AMG A-wing design. The rear has the AMG spoiler lip to sum up its status.

Adding further to this performance outlook are the 21-inch AMG cross-spoke light alloy wheels that are aerodynamically optimised and painted in matt black with the rim flange presented in a high-sheen finish. Just as eye-catching are the red-painted brake callipers with black AMG lettering, which Mercedes says underscores the performance capabilities of the braking system.

The AMG EQS also comes with rear-axle steering. Although this is not new engineering, this interaction between front-axle and rear-axle steering below and above 60km/h is designed to achieve agile response with little steering effort when driving in town. The AIRMATIC air suspension should offer ‘outstanding’ ride comfort over adverse road surfaces and the vehicle ride height varies with the speed to increase the range when driving fast. Its slippery body profile with a Cd value of 0.23 should boost range too.

Stepping inside, the interior is clearly dominated by ‘style-defining’ AMG graphics from the AMG-specific seat graphics to the AMG steering wheel with AMG steering wheel buttons, AMG sports pedals, AMG floor mats and door sill trims with AMG lettering. But what is more striking is the MBUX Hyperscreen. This is a large, curved screen that extends from A-pillar to A-pillar. It is actually three screens under a glass cover that appear to merge into one.
Mercedes-AMG also believes that vehicle sound is an important part of the driving experience. In that respect, the AMG Sound Experience (in both models) is said to bring a new, ‘powerfully sonorous sound’ to electric driving. The sound system uses special loudspeakers, shakers and a sound generator to create a special sound experience in two versions – Authentic and Performance. It’s up to the driver to choose his preference.

AMG EQE

The AMG EQE reflects many of the AMG EQS features including the AMG Dynamic Plus package that boosts its power output to 505kW (687hp) and maximum torque up to 1000Nm. This gives it even faster 0-100km/h times of 3.3 seconds and a higher top speed of 240km/h. Likewise, it comes with rear-axle steering but with a narrower steer angle to enhance its urban drive agility.

Its AMG status is similarly reflected in the interior but the seat upholstery is ARTICO man-made leather and not nappa as in the AMG EQS; only the flat-bottom steering wheel is covered in nappa leather. It is, however, one up on the EQE AMG Line with the impressive MBUX Hyperscreen like the one featured in the AMG EQS.

The AMG EQE remains well equipped with standard safety items and features that include the head-up display, Mirror package that folds the door mirrors when parking and the Parking package that has Active Parking Assist, pre-installed parking assist and memory parking assist. That should make parking the AMG EQE the least of your worries.

It also mirrors the AMG EQS in being equipped with a powerful 328-volt (AMG EQS is 400-volt) high-performance drive battery said to be manufactured using the latest lithium-ion technology. It has a useable energy content of 90.6kW (108.4kW) and the battery management system is specifically tuned for AMG.

The good news is that the new battery generation enables shorter charging times. The energy storage system could charge up to 170kW at fast charging stations and 180 kilometres (WTLP) could be recharged in just 15 minutes. As expected, the battery could also be charged through efficient energy recovery through recuperation, reaching up to 260kW, with three levels of recuperation phase that could be chosen via the steering wheel.

Its high braking performance is as good as the AMG EQS with the six-piston callipers and 415x33mm brake discs in front. This is said to provide ‘first-class’ deceleration values with high resistance to fading and high durability. The rear is served by single-piston brake callipers and 378x22mm brake discs.

Mercedes-Benz takes recycling earnestly and the resource-saving components (recycled and renewable raw materials) in the AMG EQE weigh 80kg. One of them is a new yarn made of regenerated nylon that is sewn into the floor covering. A tonne of this yarn is said to save above 6.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) compared to new materials. The steel for the car body consists of 80-per cent secondary steel, most of which is obtained from recycled steel scrap.

Another important area are the batteries; after use in the car, a second life is possible in an energy bank. This applies in Germany although we could emulate the application in the near future in Malaysia. Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH, together with its partners, has bought three large-scale energy banks with about 50MWh combined energy from automotive battery systems that is fed into the German electricity grid. The first second-life battery storage system was connected to the grid in October2016 in Lunen, Westphalia.

It's good to know that as EV development gathers pace with ever more powerful EV options, some carmakers, like Mercedes-Benz, take that further in recycling whatever is possible to reduce the impact on the earth’s environment.

Both the AMG EQS 53 and AMG EQE 53 are imported cars and their inclusion on the assembly line in Pekan, Pahang would depend on how well they are received by the well-heeled in Malaysia. Given that status, the AMG EQS 53 is priced at RM798,888 on the road without insurance and the AMG EQS 53 is RM649,888.

In any case, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Sagree Sardien says the response to the Mercedes EV range is very encouraging and the company expects EV sales this year to improve by double digits in percentage points over 2022’s volume.