Mercedes revealed the EQS SUV in April this year, and since then, there have been rumors of an AMG version on the horizon, with the performance SUV trend gaining traction. However, a report from Carsales on September 30, 2022, claims that Mercedes’ performance outfit isn’t looking to build a high-performance version of the electric SUV (Mercedes EQS SUV AMG).
Instead, Mercedes is looking to create an all-electric alternative to the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 in markets like the USA, China and Australia with the Maybach version of the EQS SUV. Rather than performance and top speed, the EQS SUV will fortify luxury.
Mercedes EQS SUV Maybach concept displayed in 2021
Mercedes previewed a Maybach version of the EQS SUV with the ‘Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS’ in September 2021. The concept had all the sensibilities of a luxury vehicle, such as a longitudinal chrome-plated trim strip on the hood, and the signature giant faux Maybach grille along with a pair of slim headlights, which gave it a futuristic look. The concept wheels had a glamorous 24-inch Maybach “bowl” design.
The concept’s interior was inspired by yachts with faux fur covering the floor and the rear center console sporting white piano lacquer and rose gold-colored accents. The front of the cabin featured a 12.3-inch OLED monitor. These touches, if translated to production, would justify the Maybach model’s price premium over the regular EQS SUV.
Talking to Carsales at the launch of the EQS SUV in Denver (USA), Jens Huser, Project Leader EVA2 AMG, said: “Another brand in the portfolio will build on the EQS SUV lineup.” At the same event, personnel from AMG reportedly confirmed to Carsales that there were no plans for an EQS SUV AMG.
Mercedes EQS SUV lineup
Currently, Mercedes offers three variants of the EQS SUV in the U.S.: the EQS 450, the EQS 450+ and the EQS 580.
Customers buying the EQS 450 and 450+ get 355 horsepower and 419 pound-feet of torque at their disposal, while the EQS 580 delivers a healthy 536 hp and 633 lb-ft of torque. Both variants use a 107.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. The EQS 450 and EQS 580 offer 285 miles of range according to the EPA cycle while the 450+ delivers 305 miles.
Regarding price estimates, we expect the Maybach EQS SUV to sail past the USD 150,000 mark.
TopElectricSUV says
It’s not entirely clear why Mercedes is not investing in an AMG-EQS SUV, but perhaps price and demand were concerns. Moreover, given the size of the EQS SUV, adding heavy batteries to maintain range may not have been feasible. Perhaps with the availability of the AMG.EA platform in 2025, Mercedes may revisit plans for a large performance SUV.
Featured image: TopElectricSUV’s rendition of the AMG-EQS SUV, for illustration.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 16 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading CEOs and vehicle developers from around the world.
