Everything we know about the Mercedes EQS SUV in June 2021

On October 6, 2020, Daimler revealed plans to add new Mercedes electric SUVs to the portfolio, including a top-of-the-line Mercedes EQS SUV model. Based on ‘official’ Mercedes spy shots and teasers, TopElectricSUV has constructed what we reckon is the closest look yet at the production electric SUV, set as the article’s featured image. Here is everything we know about the upcoming Mercedes electric SUV:

Individual Design

In contrast to the strategy used by the Mercedes EQA and the Mercedes EQB, the Mercedes EQS SUV isn’t a modified GLS Class with a closed fascia. A new model designed from the ground up, the EQS would look dynamic with proportions that are not possible for a combustion engine product.

Daimler’s Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener has given a basic understanding of the Mercedes EQS SUV’s design and explained how the flagship electric SUV would look different from the Mercedes GLS. The EQS SUV “will be more seamless, more integrated, more aerodynamic, more futuristic looking, (and) so, it will be a new type of SUV.” Wagener said, as per an Auto Express report. “The windscreen will be stretched forward as with the EQS, let’s say more but not all the way forward,” he added. Not all of the EQS characteristics will be seen on the SUV version, though, like styling lines, for instance, which “wouldn’t be as fast.”

The Mercedes EQS SUV would have a sleek silhouette, a more sci-fi front and rear lights likely connected via full-width light stripes, low-profile bumpers, and a black closed-off upper grille. A lower ground clearance, shorter length, lower height, more sloping roofline, and a more steeply angled back glass would give it a sporty stance and the complete identity of an electric vehicle.

The black panel serving as a faux radiator grille will likely be customizable with a 3D star pattern, but that should be an optional feature. The black panel surface would not only be a piece of decor but also neatly hide the vehicle’s various sensors (LiDAR, radar, ultrasound, and camera) required for its driver assistance systems.

As on the EQS, the A-pillar would be far forward for a generous passenger compartment. The overhangs and the front-end assembly should be short and the rear smoothly rounded, in what design moguls call a cab-forward design.

The Mercedes EQS SUV will likely have headlights with a DRL featuring three light dots connected via a light band. It may get a similar deep black surface (instead of a radiator grille) with tiny star patterns. The SUV will likely come with a 22-inch wheel option, with lower variants settling for 20- or 21-inches.

Digital Light

Digital Light headlamps which can project guide markings or warning symbols onto the road should be available optionally. Expect them to have a light module with three extremely powerful LEDs each, with a combined resolution of more than 2.6 million pixels. These headlamps should work in conjunction with the navigation system and take hills into account when projecting anything onto the road. They will likely even add to the drama of the flagship SUV by giving a special light show to welcome and say farewell to the driver.

Tech-laden, sumptuous interior

The Mercedes EQS SUV interior would be remarkably different from the GLS or even the S-Class. Daimler would replicate the EQS sedan’s cabin with SUV-specific touches.

MBUX Hyperscreen

The Mercedes EQS SUV will feature the MBUX Hyperscreen, an optional highly digital dashboard that will debut in the sedan this year. A large, curved Gorilla Glass surface would stretch nearly the entire width and mount three displays (driver display, central display, and passenger display) beneath it. The central and passenger displays would be OLED units.

The MBUX Hyperscreen, with its full-width (141 cm/55.5 in.), curved 3D glass cover, and the three flush-mounted displays blending seamlessly, brings a whole new in-car user experience. The central and passenger displays are OLED units. Almost every vehicle function, from entertainment to connectivity, navigation, massage, energy management, and more, is at the fingertips.

Introducing the MBUX Hyperscreen, Vera Schmidt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Advanced Digital Design, said that it is a “milestone” in the combining of analog and digital design. “For me, the Hyperscreen’s clear, minimalist design, and strong anchor points make it intuitive and straightforward to use,” she said.

The MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment Plus package ensures chauffeured owners stay connected. It has two 11.6-inch displays comprising touch controls on the back of the two headrests. Optionally, the MBUX rear tablet is available.

HEPA filter

The EQS SUV will come with a large HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air), eliminating pollen, fine dust, and minute particles from the cabin. Special activated charcoals filter out nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and odors.

Augmented Reality Head-Up Display

Another visual highlight inside the is likely to be an AR-enabled head-up display, the display area of which may be equivalent to a screen measuring 77 inches diagonally. This might be an optional feature, with a smaller, non-AR HUD being the standard equipment.

Welcome function

Rear-seat passengers would also be able to experience a highly digital interior, thanks to MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment Plus. In the EQS sedan, this feature consists of two 11.6-inch touchscreen panels mounted on the front seats’ backrests. One can expect the availability of an MBUX rear tablet with downloadable Android apps. The Hey Mercedes voice assistant will be operable from the rear as well.

If required or desired, the vehicle would even hold the driver’s door open. Moreover, the driver can extend this easy-entry function to the rear-seat occupants using MBUX and let in children while picking them up from a school. He or she would be able to close the doors conveniently and with little physical movement by simply using a one-touch operation. It would be possible to activate or deactivate the welcome function.

Acoustic Comfort Package

To make the EQS the quietest Mercedes SUV ever, Daimler will likely extend its efforts to offer customers additional insulation measures with an Acoustic Comfort Package. With this package, customers should get an option to configure their EQS SUV with acoustically effective laminated windows and back glass that lead to reduced wind noise and ambient noise when the vehicle is in motion.

In the configurations checked with a panoramic sunroof, which may also be an optional feature, there should be enough noise reduction measures even without the Acoustic Comfort Package, such as wind deflectors, covers, and seals.

On the optional panoramic roof, various wind deflection measures (wind deflectors, covers, and seals with optimized geometry) ensure a high level of quiet running despite the large opening area of the roof.

Advanced climate control

With pre-entry climate control and Thermotronic automatic climate control, the Mercedes EQS SUV should offer excellent climate comfort in most situations the very second customers step inside it.

With pre-entry climate control, customers can set the departure time and desired cabin temperature in advance either using the Mercedes me app or the vehicle’s central display. In the case of preheating, pre-entry climate control would extend to not only the interior air but also the seats.

Thermotronic automatic climate control is a four-zone automatic climate control system. The rear-seat occupants can separately set the temperature for their side using a dedicated climate control panel. Moreover, a sensor for air quality and harmful gases keeps a constant watch on the air quality outside the vehicle. It switches the system to recirculation mode if elevated pollutant levels outside are detected. An integrated activated carbon-based air filter should be standard.

Thermotronic will probably be an optional feature, and as standard, one can expect the Thermatic dual-zone automatic climate control system. It may also have an intelligent recirculation mode, but just not as good as that of Thermotronic.

Active Ambient Lighting

Active Ambient Lighting changes the vehicle’s ambient lighting as per the current drive mode. Moreover, it gives color feedback when using the vehicle’s climate control system, voice assistant, or other features. Energizing Comfort also uses Active Ambient Lighting to provide a better experience. That’s not all, it is integrated into the vehicle’s driver assistance systems, and so, it can complement their alerts with visual warnings. This also should be an optional feature in the EQS SUV.

Energizing packages

Two optional packages, namely Energizing Package Front and Energizing Package Rear, should allow customers to configure their EQS SUV with various Energizing features for wellness-oriented Energizing features. Energizing Package Front may include Energizing Coach, Energizing Comfort, Air-Balance Package, Multi-Contour Seat Package, steering wheel heating, and driver and front passenger seat climate control. Energizing Package Rear may include Rear Seat Entertainment Plus, Rear Seat Comfort Package, and Rear Seat Package.

Burmester surround sound system

A 710-watt, 15-speaker Burmester surround system teamed up with the MBUX displays will likely ensure that the Mercedes EQS SUV is always ready to entertain customers, particularly the audiophiles, in the most engaging way possible. It would please comfort-focused customers who desire peace on the go and when using ‘Energizing Nature’ programs that play the calming sounds of nature (forest, sea, rain, etc.) for relaxing.

No virtual mirrors

Wagener has hinted that the Mercedes EQS SUV won’t feature digital exterior mirrors. The Audi e-tron was the world’s first mass-market model to feature virtual exterior mirrors, and now, the Audi e-tron Sportback is also available with the same. Wagner told Autocar that virtual exterior mirrors are more aerodynamically efficient, but they aren’t a smart idea. They eat up so much power that they don’t make sense, “especially on electric cars,” the world-renowned car designer said.

Dedicated BEV Platform

Daimler is developing the EQS SUV on a dedicated electric skateboard architecture called Electric Vehicle Architecture or just EVA in short that debuts on the EQS sedan. This platform allows an “exceptionally quiet ride” and clever interior packaging for more space in dimensions similar to or smaller than an equivalent combustion engine model.

A report from JESMB says that keeping the EQS SUV’s gross vehicle weight (GVW) under 3.5 tonnes (7716.18 pounds) was a challenge during the development. If a car’s GVW isn’t under 3.5 tonnes, customers in the European Union countries cannot drive it with the standard B category driving license for cars.

Air suspension

The AIRMATIC air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+ should be standard in the Mercedes EQS SUV. At highway speeds, from around 120 km/h, the vehicle’s height is automatically reduced to lower air resistance and improve the range. How lower the vehicle becomes from around 120 km/h would depend on the drive mode selected. Speaking of drive mode, Comfort, Sport, Eco, and Individual (custom) are likely to be the available selections. AIRMATIC should also keep the ground clearance of the vehicle constant no matter what the vehicle load is. It should be possible to raise the body with this air suspension at slow speeds.

Range & output

Daimler has confirmed that the motors of the EVA platform can generate up to 500 kW or 670 horsepower, drawing power from a battery pack with an energy storage capacity of up to 107.8 kWh (net/usable). As it is the flagship car, expect the Mercedes EQS SUV to boast the best possible figures. The EQS sedan will come in 245-385 kW (328-516 hp) power variants and have a restricted, limited top speed of up to 210 km/h (130 mph).

Battery options

Two battery pack options are expected to be offered, a standard-range unit with 10 cell modules and a 90 kWh usable energy content and an extended-range unit with 12 cell modules and 107.8 kWh usable energy content. The cell chemistry of both units should be optimized for sustainability. The content of scarce materials like nickel, cobalt, and manganese could be in a ratio of 8:1:1, meaning that the content of cobalt among the three elements may not be more than 10%.

The maximum possible Mercedes EQS range is 770 km or 478 miles per the WLTP test cycle. In the Mercedes EQS SUV, it should be possible to travel non-stop from Munich to Berlin or from LA to San Francisco. Due to the taller and wider body, the SUV won’t be as slippery as the sedan, which is now the most aerodynamic car in series production (0.20 Cd). The maximum range of the Mercedes EQS SUV could be around 650 km (404 miles) as per the WLTP test cycle.

Rear axle steering

According to a report from jesmb.de, the Mercedes EQS SUV’s maximum permissible trailer load will be 1,800 kg (3,968 pounds). It states that the sedan features rear-axle steering in two variants: 4.5° and 10°. As the platform is shared, the Mercedes EQS SUV would have rear-axle steering, perhaps in the same maximum angle options.

Bidirectional charging capability

The Mercedes EQS SUV should be chargeable with up to 22 kW with AC using the onboard charger and 200 kW with DC at fast-charging stations. At fast-charging stations with 500 amperes, charging for 15 minutes may increase the range by around 300 km/186 miles (WLTP). The units sold in the USA and Europe should feature Combined Charging System or CCS, which allows plugging in both AC and DC chargers via the same connection.

In Japan, the EQS SUV, like the EQS, should come with the Charge de Move or CHAdeMO charging system. Another exclusive for the units shipped to this market will likely be bidirectional charging support that allows customers to use their vehicle to provide electricity to the grid and power their home.

Autonomous driving

The Mercedes EQS SUV should be technically ready for SAE Level 4 autonomous driving. New automated driving features should be progressively enabled with software upgrades at various stages during the vehicle’s lifecycle. One can expect the optional Drive Pilot feature to be available right from launch. In the case of EQS, Drive Pilot will allow the driver to delegate the task of driving to the vehicle at speeds of up to 60 km/h in areas where traffic density is high or in tailbacks on suitable highway sections, initially in Germany.

Remote Parking Assist for parking/unparking the vehicle via smartphone should also be available right from launch, while Automated Valet Parking may become available at a later stage.

Unmatched safety

The Mercedes EQS is likely to be among the safest electric luxury SUVs in the industry. Plenty of new-age active and passive safety features, including but not limited to the following, are expected on the bespoke electric SUV:

• Belt airbag
• Window airbag
• Evasive Steering Assist
• Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
• Active Steering Assist
• Traffic Sign Assist
• Active Lane Keeping Assist
• Active Lane Change Assist
• Active Emergency Stop Assist
• Attention Assist
• Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function
• Active Blind Spot Assist and exit warning function

Made in USA

Daimler plans to manufacture EVA platform models in Germany, China, and the United States. The EQS’ global production will take place at the Factory 56 plant located in Sindelfingen, Germany. The contract for the Mercedes EQE sedan’s global production has also gone to that German plant.

However, the global production of the Mercedes EQS SUV and Mercedes EQE SUV will take place in the USA given the high demand forecast for premium electric utility vehicles from ‘legacy’ car companies and electric vehicle startups this decade in the local market.

In an announcement in December 2020, Daimler said that it plans to manufacture the Mercedes EQS SUV at the Tuscaloosa plant (Alabama) from 2022. The American factory produces the GLE, the GLE Coupe, and the full-size GLS. The company also plans to make the battery packs of the US-built Mercedes EQ SUV models locally.

Daimler filed trademark applications for EQE 250, EQE 43, EQE 53, EQE 55, and EQE 63 in Europe last year. We expect the EQS SUV to have a similar variant series.

Video Source: youtube.com/Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes EQS SUV release date

According to a recent report from German site JESMB, Daimler plans to take orders for the Mercedes EQS SUV from spring 2022 (March-May 2022), and hence the unveiling could preface it earlier. Production preparations for the Mercedes EQS SUV and the Mercedes EQE SUV that arrives later “are already in full swing,” as per the German blog.

It won’t surprise us if the exterior or the complete production vehicle breaks cover at IAA 2021 (2021 Munich Motor Show), which falls two years after the EQS concept premiere. IAA 2021 is scheduled from September 6-12.

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