The first all-electric Mercedes-AMG EQS doesn't look like an electric sports car, but it definitely feels like one. Under the hood of the car brand's storied lineup is a car that is clearly a car for the post-Tesla world.
The performance version of Mercedes' first electric car will be arriving in the US early next year. It looks similar to the original EQS variant that came out this month, but the AMG configuration has plenty of flashy ways to turn heads.
Some of them are very deep. The high- performance version of the car will be immediately noticed by the trained eye. The seats have a sporty look and there is an AMG graphic on the seats and headrests.
Look for clues. The credit is given to the person, Sasha Lekach.
I gained a deeper appreciation for the newest EV from Mercedes when I drove from Palm Springs to Manhattan Beach. From the sleek door handles to the impressive acceleration, it's electric luxury through and through. It has over 330 miles of range on a big battery.
The bigger, S-Class sized vehicle has a full trunk and roomy backseat, but its AMG features come through. This isn't a sports car, but it still has a top speed of 155 mph. The base models take up to 5.5 seconds.
The expected price for the performance EQS will keep up with expectations, and it has a long legacy to live up to. The AMG version will kick it up a notch because of the starting price of $102,310.
The steering wheel has a thicker grip, flat bottom, and extra buttons for quick access to different drive modes, like slippery for wet conditions, or sport, or sport+ for those different driving situations. The secret way to find the "race start" feature is still to press on the pedals in a certain order.
It's a quiet ride since it's an EV with no engine. Mercedes added a fake engine-inspired noise when the car is in performance mode. This feels like a desperate attempt from Mercedes to retain its traditional gas-powered legacy. Turn up the volume for anyone mourning engine sounds.
The giant door-to-door dash screen shows that Mercedes is firmly planted in the 21st century. One of the standard features on the AMG EQS is the Hyperscreen. I went into the "zero layer" experience while cruising through the California desert. The zero layer layout tries to learn your preferences over time and reduce distraction. It was easy to get to the massage settings for the driver and passenger seats when I was in the large size.
Say hello to 56 inches of screen. Credit: Mercedes-Benz.
The screen is large enough for a unique passenger experience. The co-pilot gets their own dedicated screen, meaning they can use it to play music, browse features, or even take over. The passenger doesn't need the driver's permission to have a massage.
The big screen really shines with mapping tasks. I used the built-in navigation system and didn't miss a thing. I could add stops along the way, plan my trip based on charge levels, and see nearby charging stations.
The map view on the screen behind the steering wheel is a nice touch that reminded me of the integration of the maps in Polestar and Volvo.
Even the navigation goes the extra mile for a Mercedes. You can see augmented reality directions on the main screen or in the heads-up display projected in front of the driver. If you need to turn right, giant blue arrows will point to the right. On the main screen, a live video image is displayed with an augmented reality layer showing what lane you should be in.
Maps everywhere.
The credit is given to the person, Sasha Lekach.
It should be mapped out with some enhancements.
The credit is given to the person, Sasha Lekach.
I headed to a charging station to see what it would be like on a road trip, even though I only used up half the battery on my drive. I found the ChargePoint station through the navigation system. As I pulled in, I saw that it said a few charging points were available.
The EQS can handle faster charging on 200 kW DC fast-charging plugs, which add 180 miles in 19 minutes.
I knew how easy it would be. Two women walked by a car in the parking lot. I showed them the vehicle and the screen. I told her it could go more than 300 miles when she asked about range. They were even more impressed when I said that the driver assistance system, which comes standard for freeway driving, could change lanes for me if I put on my indicator.
I didn't feel sporty, but I would zip over if I needed to get to an exit or shake a tailgater. The drivers of those LA cars probably thought of a classic LA situation: getting outmaneuvered by a Mercedes. This was different from the other times. It was an electric car.
