The first all-electric Mercedes-AMG is now on sale in Australia.
The Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 is the Affalterbach tuning arm’s take on the hyper-aerodynamic Mercedes-Benz EQS, which is effectively an electric vehicle (EV) alternative to the S-Class.
The top-of-the-range AMG EQS 53 beats its more humble luxury- and long-range focussed EQS siblings to market by a few months, and stands apart with its AMG-specific electric motors, sound generator, unique displays and drive modes, and rejigged suspension.
Like its Mercedes-Benz sibling, it also offers the startling pillar-to-pillar ‘Hyperscreen’ inside.
“The AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is the first all-electric ambassador in the performance segment, made in Affalterbach,” says Mercedes‑AMG GmbH chairman of the board Philipp Schiemer.
Chief technical officer Jochen Hermann insists that all AMG electric models can be expected to deliver on the “AMG brand promise”.
“We ensure this with AMG-specific solutions, particularly when it comes to the drive system, suspension, brakes and, above all, sound,” he claims.
Pricing
The Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is now on sale priced at $328,400 before on-road costs.
Drivetrain
The AMG EQS derivative has permanently excited synchronous electric motors at both front and rear axles, meaning fully variable ‘AMG Performance’ all-wheel drive.
Standard power and torque outputs are 484kW of power and 950Nm of torque. If that isn’t sufficient, the AMG Dynamic Plus option bumps this to ‘boost’ jolts of 560kW and 1020Nm specifically in the Race Start mode – effectively an EV launch control system.
Acceleration from 0-100km/h is possible in as little as 3.4 seconds in this mode, or 3.8 seconds in standard specification. Top speed is limited to 220 km/h, or 250km/h with the package.
Given sound has always been such an important part of the typical Mercedes-AMG driving experience, the EQS 53 is advertised as bringing “a new, powerfully sonorous sound to electric driving”.
It does this through speakers, a bass actuator and a sound generator to create a sound “experience” in two versions: ‘Authentic’ or optional ‘Performance’. It’s generated inside and outside the car, with tonality and intensity designed to match the driving status or mode.
Efficiency
The 400-volt lithium-ion battery has a usable energy content of 107.8 kWh, and AMG-specific wiring said to be “adapted for high levels of performance along with a specially-configured battery management system”.
The maximum DC charging rate is 200kW (a Porsche Taycan with its 800V system can pull down up to 350kW), which should take it from 10-80 per cent charge in 31 minutes. Standard AC charging capacity is 11kW, which can be optionally scaled to 22kW.
The claimed driving range is 580km, with power consumption of between 21.1kWh and 24.3kWh per 100km.
Dimensions and chassis
This is a vast car at 5216mm long, 1926mm wide and 1512mm tall, sitting on a 3210mm wheelbase. Its kerb weight is a rather hefty 2655kg, with a 570kg payload ceiling.
The liftback hatch reveals a boot with 580 litres of capacity.
The EQS 53 has standard rear-axle steering that enables a back wheel angle of up to 9 degrees, helping cornering agility at higher speeds while reducing the turning circle at lower speeds to only 11.5m.
Front suspension comprises four-linkages, air suspension strut, adaptive adjustable levels of damping, and an anti-roll bar. The rear is the same except it has five linkages per wheel.
“The components have been specifically improved by AMG engineers and configured to meet the needs of Mercedes-AMG customers with respect to both driving dynamics and ride comfort,” the company insists.
The AMG compound braking system comprises six-piston callipers and 415 x 33mm discs at the front, and single-piston callipers and 378 x 22mm discs at the rear.
There’s also a maximum of 300kW brake-energy recuperation available, which handles much of the slowing.
Servicing and warranty
The regular warranty is five years, plus 10 for the battery. We await servicing prices. buyers get a three-year Chargefox public-charger subscription.
Safety
The Mercedes-Benz EQS has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating based on testing carried out in 2021.
It scored 96 per cent for adult occupant protection, 91 per cent for child occupant protection, 76 per cent for pedestrian protection, and 80 per cent for safety assist.
Safety features comprise:
- Eight airbags
- Adaptive cruise control with route-based speed change function and active stop-and-go
- Traffic sign assist
- Active steering assist with active lane-change assist
- AEB with bike, pedestrian and junction assist
- Pre-safe plus crash-preparation
- Active lane-keeping aid
- Active blind-sport and exit warnings
- 360-degree camera with parking assist functions
Standard features
The list of features reads like an old Russian novel, but here are some highlights:
Exterior
- AMG body styling
- AMG-specific front grille
- 21-inch wheels
- Digital headlights
- Adaptive high beam assistant plus
- Three LEDs per headlight
- 1.3 million micro-mirrors per light
- Active light function with anticipatory control and topographical compensation
- LED rear lights in a 3D helix design with light band at the rear
- Heat-insulating, noise-noise insulating, infrared-reflecting laminated glass
- Panoramic sunroof
- Proximity hands-free access
- Powered hands-free tailgate
- Tyre patch kit with inflator
Interior
- Heated, cooled and powered Nappa leather seats
- Hot stone massage functions
- Four-zone climate control
- AMG Performance multifunction steering wheel
- 1.41-metre curved ‘Hyperscreen’
- Digital driver instruments
- Centre touchscreen
- Ahead-of-passenger OLED display
- ‘Augmented Reality’ navigation
- Projecting head-up display
- Steering wheel-mounted rotary controllers for AMG-specific driving modes
- Burmester 3D surround sound with 15 speakers and 710-watt output
- Digital TV tuner
- DAB+
- Active ambient lighting
- Mercedes me Connect smartphone app
Options
Key options include:
- AMG Dynamic Plus Package: Power and torque boosts in Race Start, the AMG Sound Experience system – $7690
- Energising Comfort Package: Steering wheel heating, heated rear seats, Energising Air Control Plus, HEPA air purifier, and MBUX rear seat entertainment with two wireless headsets – $9290
- Night Package: Red-painted brake callipers, 22-inch multispoke wheels, trim details in black – $3990
- AMG ceramic composite braking system – $9990
- MBUX Augmented Reality head-up display – $2690
- AC charging system for up to 22kW – $2490
- Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Gen 1.5 for home charging – $1450
Colours
- Polar white non-metallic
- Graphite grey metallic
- High-tech silver metallic
- Nautic blue metallic
- Obsidian black metallic
- Onyx black metallic
- Sodalite blue metallic
- MANUFAKTUR diamond white bright – $1990 extra
- MANUFAKTUR hyacinth red metallic – $1990 extra
- MANUFAKTUR selenite grey magno – $9490 extra
