From 2021 onwards, Mercedes-Benz began to achieve a comprehensive improvement of the brand through high-performance electrification, and G-class hardcore luxury off-road models from Mercedes-Benz Maybach to Mercedes-Benz will have pure electric options in the future! As the pioneering work of Mercedes-Benz's luxury full-size GT model, Mercedes-Benz EQS has not hesitated to carry the banner of high-performance pure electricity. We are also very fortunate to receive the invitation of Mercedes-Benz's first AMG global media trial in Los Angeles, and have the opportunity to experience this first pure electric AMG model of Mercedes-Benz based on the new EVA platform. The new Mercedes-Benz EQS I test drove this time is a version of the 53 AMG with AMG performance suit, we will test from the static and dynamic parts to see how mercedes-Benz will perform with the first shot that blows the EV performance counter-attack horn.
Judging from the official data released by Mercedes-Benz alone, the data of this two-ton multi-weight 53 AMG can be said to be remarkable: the comprehensive maximum power after the installation of the sports kit has reached 762Ps, the acceleration time of 0-100km/h is 3.4 seconds, and the peak torque has reached an astonishing 1020N·m, and the speed is 255km/h. In addition, Mercedes-Benz will also offer the 53 AMG basic model (the version without the optional AMG performance kit), with a maximum power of 658Ps, an acceleration time of 0-100km/h of 3.8 seconds, and a peak torque of 950N·m. But even so, it is much better than the EQS 450 released earlier this year in terms of performance data.
Appearance: The exaggerated shape of AMG is reduced, but the embellishments on the details can still let you tell that this is an AMG
The biggest difference of the new EQS AMG is the fully enclosed network plus the chrome decoration of the straight waterfall shape, which can better comb the airflow and highlight the movement characteristics of AMG. The lines in the middle and lower parts of the front face also use a lot of piano black decorative strips to outline the cage, not excessively abrupt, but very delicate from a close look. The EQS AMG series comes standard with LED smart digital headlights, with two holographic lens modules per headlight group. It is equipped with four holographic lenses and 500 independent LED light sources.
The LED strip design that runs through the entire front face is also a continuation of the non-AMG version of the EQS. Although many manufacturers are now using this kind of through-type LED light bar more and more on EV models, it does make the front face look more holistic and more technological, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone.
Coming to the side of the body, the body line that looks like a bow at first glance is definitely one of the biggest highlights of EQS. From the official data released by Mercedes-Benz, the wind resistance coefficient of the whole vehicle has increased slightly from 0.20 on the EQS to 0.23, presumably to meet the higher downforce demand of AMG models. Because of this, for the sake of the smoothness of the body line and for safety reasons, the front cover of the new car cannot be opened. Coupled with a length of more than 5.2m and a wheelbase of 3.2m, we feel that the body is very heavy; especially this relatively high waistline design, which highlights the positioning of its four-door GT.
In order to highlight the sporty elements of AMG on such a large-size model, Mercedes-Benz is equipped with a rather exaggerated 21-inch rim (standard) this time, and the test drive is equipped with a 22-inch low wind resistance rim, with michelin front and rear 275mm wide PILOT SPORT EV version tires. The carbon-ceramic brake discs on the inside of the wheels are included in the AMG Sport Package, and the front brake discs with the golden yellow 6-piston calipers reach a diameter of 440mm, and even the regular version of the front brake discs is more than 400mm in diameter to cope with the weight of the EQS AMG model of more than 2 tons.
The EQS 53 AMG, like the regular version of the EQS, has a charging port (fast charge) located in the right rear of the body, which supports fast charging up to 200 kW and can be charged with power for 300 km in 19 minutes. The maximum usable capacity of the battery pack is 107.8 kWh, and the official has not released its mileage data, but in the test drive, the full range of the car is about 280 miles (448km), which is lower than the EQS 450 model.
Coming to the tail, first of all, the tail lamp also made a one-piece through three sets of module design, so that the overall feeling of the back is stronger. A 6-fin diffuser is provided at the bottom of the tail compartment to comb through the airflow and reduce eddy currents, further reducing wind resistance. EQS AMG also features hatchback-designed tailgates that can easily accommodate up to five people with short-circuit luggage and three golf bags. At the same time, in order not to destroy the fluid mechanics of the entire body, the mercedes-benz designers were very restrained by adding only a small tail fin to show the difference, and also added a small downforce to the tail.
Interior: Emphasis on technology, but not over-embellishment
As the first pure electric AMG, in addition to highlighting the performance elements, the sense of technology in the interior design is also indispensable. Sitting in the car, the first thing that attracted our attention was this 1.41-meter-long MBUX HYPERSCREEN that ran through the entire center console. It consists of three built-in screens, a digital instrument cluster that displays vehicle information, a 17.7-inch central control screen, and an entertainment screen for the co-pilot. Although the variable LED light strip with the cockpit has appeared on many mass Mercedes-Benzes, the atmosphere in the cabin of this EQS AMG has been completely upgraded to another level because of the blessing of these three screens. You may not feel it during the day, but the carriages at night will have a completely different atmosphere.
Unlike the previous AMG models, this time the EQS 53 AMG did not over-highlight its AMG label in the interior, but chose the material of fur and carbon fiber in the door panel, the central control panel and the side panel. The overall appearance of the carriage is more gentle and unified, and there is no feeling of wanting to fight at any time. In my personal opinion, the owners of EQS AMG will still drag their families with their mouths more often, and do not have to step on the electric door and compete with the cars on the road at any time. If you're a more intense driver, opt for a high-performance coupe like the SL AMG, which is far more suitable than this big guy with a length of more than 5.2 meters running on the road.
A good horse is equipped with a good saddle, and since the hardware is full, the software cannot be left behind. The UI of the MBUX system launched by Mercedes-Benz this time has a very high degree of completion. I say this because mercedes-benz engineers have a very good consideration for details: for example, the connection between the physical buttons and the touch screen is very user-friendly, so that you can adapt to the operation of the car more quickly.
In terms of seats, Mercedes-Benz equipped the EQS AMG with a Nappa leather package, and the front and rear headrests use a surface material officially known as Microfiber (microfiber). However, in actual experience, I found that the seat filling in the front and rear rows was slightly thin, especially the rear head space was limited by the slipback shape, which was slightly cramped. Overall, the EQS AMG ride, especially the rear seat, is slightly inferior to the S Class.
Dynamics: Massive bodywork, flexible, lightweight handling
As Mercedes-Benz's top luxury pure electric model now, the new Mercedes-Benz EQS 53 AMG is more comfortable in tuning. The new car is equipped with a set of mercedes-benz dynamic control suspension and the new Pressure Limiting Valves (pressure limiting valves), which perform cleanly when damping, rebounding, filtering road bumps; even if the tires of this car only have a flat rate of 35, there is no discomfort. In addition, the force of the steering wheel feedback is also very soft, and there is no feedback on the road vibration. With a relaxed driving atmosphere combined with the L2 automatic assisted driving as standard throughout the series and rear wheel steering technology supporting up to 9 degrees, the EQS 53 AMG can be fully adapted to everyday road conditions such as cities, highways and congestion. It is worth mentioning that the noise control of the new car is very good, and there is more obvious wind noise at high speeds above 130km/h, and the suppression of tire noise is also remarkable. In terms of noise control, the new EQS AMG 53 is on par with the S-Class.
As an AMG model, the performance of the new car must not be able to pull the crotch. At an acceleration of 0-100km/h, the 53 AMG's performance was enough to satisfy me: pressing on the electric gate and brake pedal at the same time activated the ejection start mode, accompanied by the tightening of the seat belt, the red flashing on the dashboard, the shaking of the vehicle and the sound simulation of the motor sound, which set off the sense of ceremony before the ejection started very well. There is no slippage in the tire when the brake pedal is released; after starting, the force of acceleration does not begin to weaken until after 160km/h.
In terms of curve dynamics, this one is equipped with Mercedes-Benz's new 4matic+ variable torque control system, which allows each wheel to independently control the torque output, so that the new car can maintain the best grip at all times under different road conditions. The EQS 53 AMG I drive can turn in an unusually awkward posture again and again on California's multi-curved mountain trails, without any push head, and the roll is extremely slight, giving the body a strange feeling of sliding over the corners. This style will also give the driver more confidence to step on the electric door earlier, not to care whether the vehicle will slip or not - the driving computer calculates the power distribution of four wheels at a rate of 10,000 times per minute, so that the inner wheels of the vehicle maintain grip at all times, and sometimes it makes me feel like the car is being dragged to the center of the bend. If it weren't for the wide viewing angle of the front window, for a moment I really forgot that this is a full-size model with a length of 5.2 meters.
In addition to the most enthusiastic Sports+ mode and the most balanced comfort mode, Mercedes also offers Sports, Snow and a custom mode. In addition to rotating the shortcut knob on the steering wheel, I can also customize driving-related settings such as power and suspension through the home screen to meet the user's segmentation choices. In addition, the EQS 53 AMG has added two "paddle shifters" on both sides of the steering wheel to adjust the strength of kinetic energy recovery, which is divided into low, medium and high gears. Among them, the vehicle can automatically achieve a satisfactory deceleration effect without braking in the highest gear, and people like me who are accustomed to gasoline cars are acceptable in the middle or low gear.
In terms of energy performance, the EQS 53 AMG's WLTP (World Cycle Condition) range has not yet been announced by Mercedes-Benz, but the remaining range shown by the odometer in the fully charged state of this test drive is 280 miles (448 km). Our test drive was 143 miles (289km), including 60% of the highway, 15% of the city, 5% of the mountain roads and 20% of the congested road conditions, and there was still 47% (132 miles/211km) of electricity left at the end, which was not outstanding overall.
Summary: Biased towards the driver's car, a few points away from true luxury
As a pure electric AMG, the EQS 53 AMG is actually a driver's car, not a driver's car; it would be more appropriate to give the task of taking a Mercedes to the S Class and Maybach. As a daily trolley, even occasionally on the track, I'm sure this new EQS 53 AMG will be up to the task. If the shortcomings in terms of battery life and rear seating space can be solved, I believe it will be the first choice for potential buyers of AMG and luxury cars.
Photo/Text: Wang Yu, special correspondent of E-Car in North America