Mercedes-Benz Innovation Archives

Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Portugal for the international media drive of the all-new 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV which expands the fully-electric Mercedes-EQ brand by making it the second EV SUV in the portfolio. The German automaker has been on a role since introducing the EQS sedan a few years ago and now hosts a bevy of sustainable models to help reach its carbon-free goal while providing conscious owners with a variety of styles and sizes to choose from.

Based on the EQE sedan in positioning, the midsize SUV features a 90.6 kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers a driving range of 279 miles for the RWD EQE. However, if you step up to the AWD 4MATIC then range decreases a bit to 269 miles. Our initial charge was well within reach of the destination from Lisbon, Portugal’s capital and largest city. The vibe along the Atlantic Coast was incredibly refreshing en route to Ericeira, a civil parish and seaside community on the Western Coast considered the surfing capital of Europe. The lifestyle of fellow citizens seemed perfect for eco-friendly vehicle ownership as pastel-hued buildings from the old town express vibrant energy, the hilly streets offer daily exercise, and the fresh foods provide healthy sustenance. Moreover, Portugal is a beautiful and hospitable country that set a vitalizing tone for our electric test drive.

The EQE SUV is the 4^th electric model built on Mercedes-EQ’s new all-electric platform. The other three are the EQS and EQE sedans, as well as the EQS SUV. The EQB, which Automotive Rhythms evaluated last month, rides on a different platform. Three trims will include the $77,900 EQE 350+ SUV (288 hp / 417 lb-ft of torque), the $77,900 EQE 350 4MATIC SUV (288 hp / 564 lb-ft of torque), and the $89,500 EQE 500 4MATIC SUV (402 hp / 633 lb-ft of torque). Each excludes the $1,150 destination and delivery fee.

The 4MATICs feature dual motors (front and rear axle) for increased system power. Additionally, the left steering wheel paddle engages “strong” energy recuperation and the right paddle gives the EQE SUV “normal” recovery. Various DYNAMIC SELECT modes from Eco to Sport customize the driving style and energy savings. For example, the front engine disconnects in ECO or Comfort mode to preserve energy. There is also a new OFF-ROAD mode (4MATIC models) for obvious reasons, which we tried out on a few rocky beaches. Though, the suspension felt wavy on the trail and not as confident as expected. But I’m sure the upgraded AIRMATIC Air Suspension with Adaptive Damping System would handle that matter.

Riding on 19″ wheels, our vehicle was super smooth, quiet as a pin drop, and quick. Not ultra-fast in acceleration, but the EQE SUV is ideally suited for family lifestyle tasks. Maneuvering performance stems from the “10-Degree Rear-Axle steering system” and optional design cues include wide running boards. And though it is smaller than the EQS SUV, inside the evolutionary cabin my 6’7″ drive partner Brian Armstead and I were extremely comfortable. Also, a new heat pump supplies advanced thermal capabilities by utilizing wasted battery heat to warm the cabin and help increase driving range.

Like all EQ models, the interior is simultaneously divine and technological. Mercedes-EQ offers features and capabilities that you never knew you required. It begins with the highly vivid MBUX multimedia system with Navigation, an incredibly detailed Head-up Display, a 12.8” Center OLED Touchscreen, and a 12.3” Instrument Cluster. The only element I am not a fan of is the Augmented Video for Navigation which shows you the actual imagery of your surroundings. For vegans like myself, the MB-Tex upholstery is leather-free including the seats and steering wheel. For audiophiles, an extraordinary Burmester 3D Sound system with Dolby Atmos and a 360-degree sound experience takes the audio experience to a planetary level. Just pump up the volume from Wu-Tang Clan’s (Ghostface) Daytona 500 featuring Raekwon and Cappadonna. The RZA’s profound stream of beats never sounded better.

Further EQE SUV enhancements include 64-color ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, LED headlamps with Active Highbeam Assist, a fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication, massaging seats, 4-Zone Climate Control and Active Fragrance, and a 100w USB-C package. To stylize your EQE SUV on another level, upgrade to the optional AMG Line and receive unique 21″ AMG rims, a sporty rear diffuser, a sportier front bumper, a flat bottom AMG steering wheel, AMG pedals and floor mats, and illuminated door sills.

A few EQE SUV safety packages to keep you protected on the road include Driver Assistance Package with Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Lane Keeping, Blind Spot Assist, and PRE-SAFE PLUS including PRE-SAFE Impulse Side, Active Brake Assist, and PARKTRONIC with Surround View System.

Mercedes-EQ has a partnership with ChargePoint with a recent announcement of a new charging network available to all EV drivers, not just Mercedes owners. The rollout begins this year in North America and includes MN8 Energy. Completion is expected by 2027 and will offer 400 hubs with more than 2,500 Level 3 chargers. When completed, premium charging hubs will be located in highway proximities and metropolitan areas. Expect four to 12 chargers at standard locations and up to 30 at busy junctions. Moreover, EV owners will complete 80% of their charging at home using a 240V Level 2 charger. Therefore, a home installation setup like the ChargePoint Home Flex is best.

In typical German fashion, the EQE SUV will compete directly with other German compatriots such as the BMW iX SUV and Audi e-tron SUV. Built in Alabama and available this spring, the new Mercedes-EQ continues to advance the narrative of a carbon-free future.

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The advancements in digital technologies, EV development, and forward-thinking by Mercedes-Benz were on full display at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. With incontrovertible electrification innovations — both current and on the horizon — the automotive manufacturing and software company from Stuttgart, Germany is nobly playing its part in ascertaining that the electrification of mobility is progressive, efficient, convenient, and widespread. Aptly, M-B took advantage of the fanfare at CES 2023 to launch its global branded, high-power charging network which will debut in North America in 2023.

At CES, Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer and Chief Software Officer Magnus Östberg hosted a TECH to DESIRE press conference to discuss the charging network, as well as an array of other news, such as the Vision EQXX research vehicle with an all-electric driving range of more than 745 miles; partnerships with Apple Music and Universal Music Group to provide elevated in-car sound experiences with Dolby Atmos; and Level 3 conditionally automated driving with Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT. In standard German practice, the announcements were meticulous, tech-heavy, and digitally fascinating. The goal of the perpetuating ideologies from Mercedes-Benz’s engineering perspective is to accelerate infrastructure development to make life easier and convey how technology creates desire for its customers.

Whether your EV adoration is for the EQ brand or another EV company, M-B is aggressively pushing EV adoption to accelerate humanity’s carbon neutrality target. The charging network will be open to every EV customer, not just Mercedes-Benz owners. The rollout will start this year in North America and pairs with MN8 Energy and ChargePoint, which operates one of the most expansive networks of independently owned EV charging stations in 14 countries. MN8 Energy is one of the US’s largest solar energy and battery storage owners and operators. Completion is expected by 2027 and should consist of 400 hubs with more than 2,500 high-power chargers, including an inordinate number of 350 kW chargers. EV drivers can locate the premium charging hubs near highways, central intersections, and metropolitan areas. Cameras for safety will be installed, and the most convenient locations will feature restaurants and restroom facilities close by. Expect 4 to 12 chargers at standard locations and up to 30 at busy junctions. M-B owners will also receive priority with the ability to reserve a spot before arrival.

“At Mercedes-Benz, we’re fully committed to making the charging of battery electric vehicles easier and more accessible,” stated Markus Schäfer. “By selecting MN8 Energy and ChargePoint as our partners in North America – two of the leaders in their respective fields – we’ll be able to continue to drive the transformation towards an electric future, which is one of the main pillars of our holistic, sustainable corporate strategy.”

In accordance with the network announcement, I was also able to experience a Las Vegas drive in the Vision EQXX ultra EV. Engineered in just 18 months and representing the most efficient Mercedes-Benz ever built, this experimental unit acts as a barometer for production EQ models, which may eventually inherit deviations from its technology, energy storage capabilities, and driving range. Ironically however, an owner of this particular EV may not need the high-power charging network since its range of 745 miles is so extensive. The development intention of the vehicle was to produce a battery with 100 kW capacity, lightweight construction, increased aero, and extreme efficiency.

To evaluate the EQXX’s limits, M-B engineers averaged an impressive energy consumption of 7.5 miles per kilowatt hour on a drive from Stuttgart, Germany to Silverstone, U.K. The RWD EQXX features carbon fiber components, fully covered magnesium rims, a solar-paneled fix roof for regeneration, a 47.5” 8K MBUX display screen, and an all-planted-based interior utilizing bamboo, cactus, and mushroom-derived materials. Although it’s optimized for highway driving, the EV moves emphatically with its low center of gravity. Comparatively speaking, the EQXX battery is half the volume of the EQS battery and a third less in weight, yet has almost the same amount of energy as the EQS.

After a charge and refresher, hop back in your M-B EV to enjoy 31-speaker Burmester high-end 4D and 3D sound experiences to generate excitement en route to your next destination. With this system, which features speakers in the seats, you will hear and feel the music! M-B collaborated with Apple Music, Universal Music Group (UMG), and Dolby Atmos immersive audio to reproduce every sound element from recording sessions to harvest preferable in-car entertainment through MBUX. As a result, a Mercedes-Benz is now the first device not produced by Apple to present Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. Furthermore, this setup provided a lane for UMG artists to base their song approval procedures on the end mix and establish the “Approved in a Mercedes-Benz” seal as a gold standard of sound.

The future of mobility was presented succinctly to showgoers looking for the most visceral human experience possible from the collision of virtual reality and analog worlds. Mercedes-Benz gave audiences the latest innovations, cutting-edge technology, and future cars at the 2023 Consumer Electronics. So are you ready for the next transitioning stage of mobility?

Mercedes-Benz Innovation

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV: Discovering the Vitality of Portugal with Electric Energy

Mercedes-Benz Announces New Charging Network and Advanced Tech at CES 2023

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