All-new EQS from Mercedes-EQ goes on sale in Singapore

SINGAPORE - Billed as the first all-electric luxury car from Mercedes-EQ, the EV branch of Mercedes-Benz, the EQS is now available in Singapore in two variants, the regular EQS 450+ with 333 horsepower, and the very bonkers AMG EQS 53 4Matic+ with 658 horsepower.

Before you go any further, here's how much they cost. The EQS 450+ is $527,888 with COE and the AMG EQS 53 is a whopping $753,888 with COE.

The EQS is essentially the Mercedes-EQ equivalent of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but it's built on the brand's entirely new EVA chassis architecture. An impressive number to quote is the stated driving range of the EQS 450+: 762km as measured on the WLTP cycle. The more powerful AMG EQS 53 will drive up to 570km before needing a recharge.

The shapely body registers a drag coefficient of just 0.2, which is apparently a record-breaking measurement for this class of EV. In real world terms this simply means that the car is so aerodynamic that it cuts through the air more efficiently, improving cruising efficiency and also greatly reducing wind noise at high speed.

It's 5,223mm in length and 1,926mm wide, but clever design makes it look smaller and less intimidating.

We think it's because the 'engine compartment' has been much reduced in size on account of the electric motor's compact size, and this has reduced the length of the car's nose in proportion to the main passenger compartment, which is also bigger that in older cars. 

While Mercedes-EQ's official spiel toggles between calling it a four-door coupe and a saloon, it's really a liftback, similar in shape to cars like the Skoda Superb and Audi RS 7.

There's 580 litres of boot space in the back, which features a large opening as the whole rear window opens up. Frameless windows at all four doors, along with motorised, retracting door handles, top off the car's sleek profile.

As befitting a top-spec Mercedes-EQ, the car is filled with active safety and driving assistance features, including the ability to read the road around you, and engaging energy recuperation automatically when the car ahead starts slowing down. The EQS will automatically come to a complete stop when the car ahead does so as well. 

Mercedes-EQ is flinging big superlatives into every component description of the EQS, and it tops off with the new MBUX Hyperscreen. Maybe the next-gen one will be the Super-Ultra-Mega screen? The fact is, it's a single plate of Gorilla Glass that measures a massive 141cm in width, with 46.4GB/s of memory bandwidth.

It's standard fit on the AMG EQS 53, and a $38,000++ option on the EQS 450+.The brand states that with the new MBUX, there are no more multi-level menus to dig through and all the pertinent options are shown at once. 12 haptic feedback actuators provide a consistent level of buzz across the screen and the front passenger gets a separate screen sector for a co-piloting experience. 

The co-pilot's screen can only function when an occupant is in the front passenger seat, and has access to all the features of the car without disrupting what is happening on the main centre display. This includes media and massage seat functions, though videos will not play once the car is in motion to avoid distracting the driver. 

The air-conditioning system in the EQS features an integrated HEPA filter, which is said to catch 99.9 per cent of particulate matter in the air. It works alongside an activated charcoal filter to remove odours from the air in the car. 

Unlike the S-Class though, there is no two-seat option for the EQS and the rear bench is a standard three-seater. The centre armrest does have an integrated wireless phone charger though so alongside the one on the centre console, there's room to charge two smartphones in the EQS without using wires.

The EQS is being sold in Singapore with a 10-year servicing package, meaning that you basically drive the car, send it in for servicing every second year, and never have to pay for routine servicing until the 10-year COE expires.

There are of course exceptions to what constitutes a free replacement part and what must be paid for, but that's details for when you do sign on the line for an EQS. 

Mercedes-EQ EQS 450+ 

The 'entry-level' EQS 450+ boasts: 333 horsepower, single motor rear-wheel drive, a 0 to 100km/h sprint time of 6.2 seconds, and a single-charge range of up to 762km. At time of writing, this is the longest-ranged series production EV you can buy off-the-shelf. The upcoming BMW i7, the EQS' direct competitor, has been stated to manage only around 600km per charge.

The standard fit interior of the EQS 450+ is broadly similar to that of the S-Class, with two separate display screens for the instrument panel and other features. As stated previously, getting the MBUX Hyperscreen into the EQS 450+ will cost an extra $38k plus taxes. 

Reclining and ventilated rear seats are standard fit, as well as four-wheel steering for increased stability and manoeuvrability. It's a slightly different steering setup than that of the AMG EQ 53 though, with less steering angle available from the rear wheels.

The car can accept up to 200kW DC fast charging, which, when such fast power installations arrive in Singapore, can completely charge the car's 107.8 kWh batteries up in 30 minutes. Standard 11kW AC charging will fill up the batteries completely in 11 hours.

Mercedes-AMG EQ 53 4Matic+

Here are the stats of the quickest EQS: 658 horsepower, twin-electric motor all-wheel drive, 0 to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds, and a stated range of 570km per charge. The AMG Dynamic Plus package is fitted to Singapore-delivered cars as standard, and allows power is upped to 761 horsepower, with peak torque rated at 1,020Nm, in race start mode. This will cut 0.4 seconds off the 0 to 100km/h dash.

Interestingly for a proper AMG car, the body panels of the EQS 53 are no different from that of the EQS 450+. There are no flared wheel arches and pumped up fenders. The few visible hints of this being the faster EQS, besides the badging, are a different front 'grille' featuring slats, and a bigger rear bootlid spoiler.

It's a massively heavy car, with a kerb weight of 2,655kg. This is typical across all current-generation electric cars though as the lithium-ion battery cells are weighty components. It does come equipped with four-wheel steering as standard to make driving it in tight corners a breeze, with the rear wheels turning up to 10 degrees each way.

Similar to the EQS 450+, the car can accept up to 200kW DC fast charging which can completely charge the car up in 30 minutes. Standard 11kW AC charging will fill up the batteries completely in 11 hours as well.

The AMG EQS 53 gets some audible drama in the form of its AMG Sound Experience, with Balanced, Sport and Powerful sound modes. It's all synthetic and coming through the car's Burmeister sound system, and along with the subtle light show in the cabin does play up the car's tech appeal. Outside the car however, it's all silent.

Minishi X Mercedes-EQ

At the launch of the Mercede-EQ EQS in Singapore, it was also announced that the brand had collaborated with Minishi Studios that saw 12 artists breathe life into a sustainable, miniature model versions of the EQS, providing them a unique canvas to express their craft and showcase their take on sustainability.

The models are made entirely from sustainable materials, from the paint to the gypsum used in the miniature EQS model. All 12 completed works will be displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Concept Store's Artist @ Work showcase from July 27. The public can vote for their favourite designs from 5th August to 26th September. The winning design will be translated onto the actual EQS on display at the store and will be on showcase from Oct 15 onwards.

Members of the public who are interested in purchasing either the EQS Collectible Artist Edition at $999 each or an unpainted EQS miniature kit (at $599), can take part through an online raffle.

Winners will be selected, and their pledges made directly to Zero Waste Singapore, a leading non-governmental organisation and charity that drives effort towards zero waste in Singapore through education and advocacy. The charity will receive all proceeds pledged by the public from this campaign.

This article was first published in CarBuyer.