Mercedes-Benz EQE offers 400-mile range, larger interior than E-Class – and a boot
Mercedes-Benz has revealed its all-electric executive saloon, the EQE. The saloon, expected to go on sale from the third quarter of 2022, uses a shortened version of the EQS platform, and shares a similar roof profile with the company’s electric flagship.
The electric architecture means overhangs and the front end are kept short, while the passenger space is maximised, with interior dimensions greater than those of today’s E-Class. The overall interior length is 80mm bigger than the E-Class, while there is 27mm more shoulder room in the front.
The EQE has a wheelbase that is 90mm shorter than the EQS (3,120mm), and externally it is similar in size to a Mercedes-Benz CLS. The EQE has a fixed rear window and a boot lid rather than a tailgate. Boot capacity is 430 litres.
The interior design and equipment are clearly based on the EQS, with the full-width digital MBUX Hyperscreen dash panel as used on the EQS. Among options are rear-axle steering, which reduces the turning circle from 12.5m to 10.7m.
The battery has a usable energy content of 90kWh, giving a range of up to 660 km (412 miles) according to WLTP. A DC box with a charging capacity of up to 170 kW is fitted on board for fast charging. In 15 minutes it is possible to charge the EQE with up to 35.55 kWh, which corresponds to a range of 156 miles (WLTP).
The model range will include two variants at market launch: Mercedes has only so far specified the 125kW EQE350. The first EQE models will have an electric motor driving the rear wheels. Later versions with 4Matic will have a second electric motor on the front axle. A Mercedes-AMG performance variant has also been revealed, but this will not come to the UK.
Mercedes-Benz is making charging simple through its Mercedes me Charge scheme, which allows customers to charge at more than 200,000 points in Europe. The new Mercedes me Charge Plug & Charge function means all the customer has to do is insert the charging cable and this automatically starts the charging process. No further authentication by the customer is required.