Mercedes -Benz EQS, which was unveiled in the world for the first time, is a surprise treasure!Shintaro Watanabe explains a lump of revolutionary technology Mercedescal Mercedes -Benz official website

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz EQS

A completely new form of luxury sedan

In the test drive of the new S-Class, I wrote something like "transition period". Although it is very well made, I felt that it was somewhat unsatisfactory to call it a new cornerstone or redefinition of luxury sedans.

The EQS publicity material is an A4 size English version of about 70 pages (the S class was 73 pages), at the beginning of which is written "Mercedes redefines the luxury saloon with EQS". I thought, "Ah, of course." Compared to internal combustion engines, EVs have an overwhelming advantage in terms of vibration and noise, which are the bottlenecks of luxury saloons. there is

Ola Kallenius, CEO of Daimler, at the world premiere of the Mercedes-Benz EQS. EQS is said to be a model that embodies "S class level luxury sedan" as a pure EV.

Rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive lineup

The EQS is Mercedes' first-ever EV sedan and the first model to adopt a completely new platform dedicated to EVs. Two types, "EQS 450+" and "EQS 580 4MATIC", will be available at the beginning of the sale, with power specifications of 333ps / 568Nm and 523ps / 855Nm, respectively. The EQS 450+ is rear-wheel drive with a motor in the rear.

The body size is 5216mm in length, 1926mm in width, 1512mm in height, and 3210mm in wheelbase. Comparing this to the standard body of the Mercedes S-Class, the EQS is longer, wider and taller, but the EQS is shorter than the long S-Class.

Side view of the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4Matic. Thanks to the fastback style, aerodynamic wheels, and ingenuity in the molding of each part, it achieved the world's highest Cd value of 0.20 for mass-produced vehicles.

"Design unique to EV only"

Mercedes seems to have divided the EV design philosophy into two, based on the platform of the model equipped with the existing internal combustion engine (EQC and EQA) calls it "conversion design", and models with a dedicated platform like the EQS are called "purpose design". Internal combustion engines and EVs have completely different powertrains, so it is natural that the degree of freedom in packaging and design will also be greatly different, and it seems that styling will be done to suit each.

The EQS features short front and rear overhangs, a bow-like curve from the A-pillar to the roof to the C-pillar, and a forward cab. The door is a coupe type without a sash, and it is also a 2BOX with a large hatch gate. The front grill is covered with a glossy panel called "black panel", and behind it are various driving support systems such as ultrasonic sensors / cameras / radars / riders.

Rear view of the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4Matic. This is called the "one-bow" design because the roofline is stretched like a single bow. The door is frameless.

Breaking the Cd value record for aerodynamics

The exterior designer explained, "Basically, we used 5 doors + sash-less doors, which is disadvantageous in terms of body rigidity, instead of the 3-box model of the S-class." In addition, the EQ series sedan series is a 2-box package.There are several reasons, but there are some reasons, such as differentiating it from Mercedes with an internal combustion engine in terms of design and making it a coupe silhouette, which is advantageous in terms of aerodynamics. As for the rigidity of the body, the body design engineer did his best, so there is no problem at all.

The Cd value is what Mercedes is most proud of when it comes to its styling. EQS achieved the world top level of 0.20. Contributing to this is the exclusive wheels and tires that are advantageous for aerodynamics, the flat front end from the black panel to the headlight, the design of the A pillar, the underbody panel, and the front and rear wheel spoilers. The A-Class sedan and S-Class were both tied at 0.22 before EQS took the top spot in Cd.

Mercedes-Benz EQS focuses on occupant comfort in all aspects, such as cleaning the air in the cabin to the highest level and equipping seats with a heating function that applies the principle of hot stones.

Appealing to the human "sight," "hearing," "smell," and "touch"

EVs, which are all controlled by electricity, are a little further from humans than ordinary cars. I feel like In order to dispel such a feeling of rejection as much as possible, Mercedes has dared to design everywhere in the development of EQS to appeal to the five human senses.

The distinctive exterior design, the MBUX hyper screen that spreads all over the dashboard, and the head-up display using AR, which you can tell at a glance that it is not a car with an internal combustion engine, are visual because you can see it with your eyes. A characteristic feedback sound can be heard when various functions and mechanisms are activated, such as when the car is entered or locked. This is hearing.

The special activated carbon used in large HEPA filters and indoor air filters has a very large internal surface area, with an adsorption area equivalent to about 150 soccer fields. As a result, 99.65% of particles of all sizes, including PM2.5 as well as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, can be removed, and this ability is comparable to clean rooms and operating rooms. This is the sense of smell. High-quality genuine leather and stitching, wood paneling, touch screen response feedback function, and 10 types of massage programs stimulate the sense of touch.

In front of the Mercedes-Benz EQS, a glass display that extends to the full width is placed. Equipped with advanced haptic feedback, when your finger touches a specific point, you can feel a pulse (vibration) like a mechanical switch.

A huge screen with a width of 1.4m

The highlight of the interior is the MBUX hyper screen. The 141cm-wide screen unit, which extends to the left and right of the room, has three displays covered with a single piece of glass, making it look like a single monitor. The driver's seat display is 12.3 inches, the center display is 17.7 inches, and the passenger seat display is 12.3 inches, and the center and passenger seats are organic EL.

In addition, EQS introduced OTA (Over The Air Update) for the first time as Mercedes. This allows you to update and add programs in various functional areas via communication, and if you update it while you sleep, you can use it like a PC in the next morning with new functions.

Mercedes-Benz EQS is a long-distance runner with a maximum cruising range of 770km. In addition, various driving support functions are world-class. With high-definition digital headlights, it is also possible to project various signs on the road ahead.

Maximum cruising range is about 800km

In the EQS, the electric powertrain unit containing the motor and reduction gear is called the eATS. I also put it in The EQS 580's 4MATIC has continuously variable front and rear torque distribution, and distributes the driving force at the optimum ratio according to the situation.

The lithium-ion battery spread under the floor is a newly developed one, and the maximum cruising range is 770km. It boasts 107.8 kWh of usable energy. The energy regeneration rate and charging efficiency are said to be at the top level in the world, and depending on the charger, it is possible to charge about 300 km in 15 minutes. Performance aspects such as safety, durability and deterioration over time are thoroughly tested and 70% remaining capacity is guaranteed for 10 years or 250,000 km. It is also designed with sustainability in mind, such as keeping the cobalt content to 10% or less.

Mercedes-Benz EQS is compatible with autonomous driving support functions under certain conditions on approximately 13,000 km of freeways in Germany.

Air suspension and rear wheel steering are standard on all models

The suspension is 4-link at the front and multi-link at the rear, which is almost the same as the S class. Air suspension, which combines air springs and electronically controlled dampers, is standard equipment. All models are also equipped with rear-axle steering (rear-wheel steering) with a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees.

This air suspension not only maintains a constant vehicle height with a self-leveling mechanism, but also automatically changes the vehicle height according to the speed. In addition, it is also possible to raise the minimum ground clearance up to 25 mm optionally up to 40 km / h. The regenerative brake can be adjusted in 3 stages with the paddles, and the ECO assist mode is the most efficient driving, so it is possible to decelerate and stop with just the throttle pedal, so-called one-pedal driving.

Mercedes-Benz has always revolutionized the automotive world with its flagship sedan. More than 40 new inventions are incorporated, such as setting "automatic doors" for all four doors in EQS.

"Automatic doors" set for all four panels

In addition to advanced safety equipment and a level 3 driver assistance system, the EQS has functions and mechanisms that have already been adopted for the S-class. Many have been introduced, but the first to be used in this car is the "automatic comfort door", that is, an automatic door. With this optional mechanism, all four doors can be opened and closed automatically.

For example, when the driver approaches the locked EQS, the retractable door handle first pops up at a distance of about 6m, and the driver's door opens automatically when the driver approaches to 1.5m. There is also a function that automatically closes the driver's door by closing other doors from the driver's seat or by stepping on the brake pedal. Of course, when the comfort door operates, it detects obstacles, scans the surrounding situation 360 degrees, and operates only when safety can be confirmed.

Mercedes-Benz's pure EV is the third EQS model following the SUV EQC and EQA (not released in Japan). Along with the S-Class and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, the EQS will be produced at Mercedes' next-generation factory, Factory 56.

While the EQS is a luxury saloon that could replace the S-Class of the future, it seems like Mercedes has begun exploring an entirely new vehicle. At the online presentation, it was said that "EQS is a turning point for Mercedes." They may be beginning to explore vehicles beyond the S-Class and beyond the automobile.

REPORT / Shintaro Watanabe

[Related article]

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・New Mercedes-Benz S-Class, world premiere! Shintaro Watanabe reports on the latest high-end saloon

【SPECIFICATIONS】

Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4Matic Plus

Body size: Length 5216 Width 1926 Height 1512mm

Wheelbase: 3210mmmm

Vehicle weight: 1800kg

Motor: Permanent Synchronous

Maximum output: 385KW (523ps)

Max Torque: 855Nm

Drive battery: Lithium-ion battery

Battery capacity: 107.8 kWh

Driving system: AWD

Suspension: 4-link front, multi-link rear

Cruising range: 770km (WLTP mode)

0-100km/h acceleration: 4.3 seconds

Maximum speed: 210km/h (limiter control)

[Contact]

TEL 0120-190-610

[Related links]

https://www.mercedes-benz.co.jp/