Mercedes-Benz unveils its first EV for the US, the luxurious EQS sedan with a 478-mile range and screens galore

Tim LevinApr 15, 2021, 22:26 IST

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS could give the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S a run for their money.Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz unveiled its first electric car for the US, the flagship EQS sedan on Thursday.
The EQS will have a 478-mile range and a gigantic 56-inch "Hyperscreen" as an option, Mercedes says.
It will hit US dealerships in the fall of 2021, likely carrying a starting price of around $100,000.

Mercedes is jumping into the US electric-vehicle market at long last.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

On Thursday, the German automaker took the wraps off of its first US-market EV, the flagship EQS sedan.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

There will be two models to start: the 2022 EQS 450+ and the EQS 580 4Matic.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

Both cars will arrive at US dealers in fall 2021.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes hasn't announced pricing yet, but expect it to be in line with the gas-powered S-Class sedan, which starts at around $110,000.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

But the EQS isn’t just a battery-powered S-Class. It’s the first Mercedes built on a dedicated electric platform that will underpin its future EVs.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

The 450+ comes with a single rear motor that delivers a rated 329 horsepower and more than 400 lb-ft of torque.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes gave the 580 4Matic an extra motor up front, for a whopping 516 horsepower and 611 lb-ft of torque, the company says.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

The dual-motor model hits 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, according to Mercedes.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

Rear-wheel steering comes as standard to give the electric land yacht a more manageable turning radius.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

As for range, both models get a rating of 770 kilometers - around 478 miles - according to the European WLTP standard.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

The EQS will likely get a lower rating from the US EPA, but anything close to 478 miles would put it well ahead of nearly every other battery-powered car on the market.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

Plugged into a DC fast-charger, the EQS can go from 20% to 80% battery in 31 minutes.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

Judging by the numbers alone, Mercedes is diving into the electric market guns blazing, delivering an EV that can go toe-to-toe with lauded models like the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

Judging by the numbers alone, Mercedes is diving into the electric market guns blazing, delivering an EV that can go toe-to-toe with lauded models like the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S.

Mercedes also pulled out all the stops for the EQS’ interior.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

The centerpiece of the EV's cockpit is a massive, 56-inch wide screen that spans the entire width of the car.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

The "MBUX Hyperscreen" is actually a single piece of glass with three OLED displays underneath: a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 17.7-inch center screen, and a 12.3-inch display for the passenger.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

The "MBUX Hyperscreen" is actually a single piece of glass with three OLED displays underneath: a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 17.7-inch center screen, and a 12.3-inch display for the passenger.

That all comes on the upper-trim 580. The 450+ gets a more conventional center display instead of the Hyperscreen.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes' latest driver-assistance suite comes standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic parking.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

Lavish features like heated leather seats and 64-color ambient lighting also come standard.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

A long list of add ons are available, including doors that open and close electronically, an "Executive Rear Seat Package" with massaging seats and a tablet, and a heads-up display.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

A long list of add ons are available, including doors that open and close electronically, an "Executive Rear Seat Package" with massaging seats and a tablet, and a heads-up display.

Buyers can also add a gesture control feature that lets them do things like close the doors by waving their hands.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

In addition to the two models hitting the market this fall, Mercedes has plans for a performance model with 630 horsepower.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Mercedes-Benz

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Mercedes-Benz unveils its first EV for the US, the luxurious EQS sedan with a 478-mile range and screens galore

Mercedes is jumping into the US electric-vehicle market at long last.

On Thursday, the German automaker took the wraps off of its first US-market EV, the flagship EQS sedan.

There will be two models to start: the 2022 EQS 450+ and the EQS 580 4Matic.

Both cars will arrive at US dealers in fall 2021.

Mercedes hasn't announced pricing yet, but expect it to be in line with the gas-powered S-Class sedan, which starts at around $110,000.

But the EQS isn’t just a battery-powered S-Class. It’s the first Mercedes built on a dedicated electric platform that will underpin its future EVs.

The 450+ comes with a single rear motor that delivers a rated 329 horsepower and more than 400 lb-ft of torque.

Mercedes gave the 580 4Matic an extra motor up front, for a whopping 516 horsepower and 611 lb-ft of torque, the company says.

The dual-motor model hits 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, according to Mercedes.

Rear-wheel steering comes as standard to give the electric land yacht a more manageable turning radius.

As for range, both models get a rating of 770 kilometers - around 478 miles - according to the European WLTP standard.

The EQS will likely get a lower rating from the US EPA, but anything close to 478 miles would put it well ahead of nearly every other battery-powered car on the market.

Plugged into a DC fast-charger, the EQS can go from 20% to 80% battery in 31 minutes.

Judging by the numbers alone, Mercedes is diving into the electric market guns blazing, delivering an EV that can go toe-to-toe with lauded models like the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S.

Mercedes also pulled out all the stops for the EQS’ interior.

The centerpiece of the EV's cockpit is a massive, 56-inch wide screen that spans the entire width of the car.

The "MBUX Hyperscreen" is actually a single piece of glass with three OLED displays underneath: a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 17.7-inch center screen, and a 12.3-inch display for the passenger.

That all comes on the upper-trim 580. The 450+ gets a more conventional center display instead of the Hyperscreen.

Mercedes' latest driver-assistance suite comes standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic parking.

Lavish features like heated leather seats and 64-color ambient lighting also come standard.

A long list of add ons are available, including doors that open and close electronically, an "Executive Rear Seat Package" with massaging seats and a tablet, and a heads-up display.

Buyers can also add a gesture control feature that lets them do things like close the doors by waving their hands.

In addition to the two models hitting the market this fall, Mercedes has plans for a performance model with 630 horsepower.