Mercedes-Benz’s upcoming electric flagship, the EQS, has been spotted charging around the Nürburgring ahead of its expected reveal next year.
While it mightn’t be as quick as a Tesla Model S Performance in Ludicrous mode, the EQS may have the Tesla covered for range.
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed it’ll have an electric range of 700km under stricter WLTP measures, identical to last year’s Vision EQS concept that previewed it.
Should it adhere closely to the concept’s other specs, it’ll also have a 100kWh lithium-ion battery and a 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds.
In comparison, the Tesla Model S variant with the longest range – the aptly-named Long Range – also uses a 100kWh lithium-ion battery and achieves 610km under WLTP measures. The new Model S Long Range Plus has an electric range of 646km under US EPA testing, which often yields lower range figures than WLTP testing.
Another similarity with the Tesla is the EQS’ body style. Both cars are five-door liftbacks, in contrast with Mercedes’ stalwart S-Class which is a conventional four-door sedan.
Mercedes promises, however, that its EQS will have the same level of luxury as the redesigned S-Class and will use a similarly-large touchscreen to the S-Class’ 11.9- or 12.3-inch units. Both models will be built at Mercedes’ Sindelfingen factory in Germany, though the EQS will debut Mercedes’ new Modular Electric Architecture.
Make no mistake: this is one big car. The concept measured 5295mm long on a 3260mm wheelbase and with a total width of 2077mm. We expect the production EQS to be similarly-sized.
In contrast, a Model S measures 4978mm long, 1964mm wide and has a 2960mm long wheelbase, while the new long-wheelbase S-Class measures 5289mm long, 1954mm wide, and has a 3216mm long wheelbase.
When it launches, the EQS will top a growing range of electric models in Mercedes’ range bearing the EQ name. These include the EQC, the first EQ model to debut, as well as the EQV van and the upcoming EQA and EQB SUVs. Unlike the EQS, these models are all based on internal combustion-powered Mercedes models.
