2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 [US]

The EQS is the first all-electric luxury saloon from Mercedes-EQ. With it, Mercedes-EQ is redefining this vehicle segment. The EQS is also the first model to be based on the modular architecture for luxury and executive-class electric vehicles. Fusing technology, design, functionality and connectivity, the EQS delights both drivers and passengers. First models on the market will be the EQS 450+ with 245 kW and the EQS 580 4MATIC with 385 kW. The consumption figures according to WLTP: EQS 450+ electrical consumption combined 20.4-15.7 kWh/100 km, CO2-emissions 0 g/km; EQS 580 4MATIC electrical consumption combined 21.8-17.4 kWh/100 km, CO2-emissions 0 g/km.

As part of its Ambition 2039 initiative, Mercedes-Benz is working on offering a carbon-neutral new car fleet within 20 years from now. By as early as 2030, the company wants more than half the cars it sells to feature electric drive systems - this includes fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. In many areas, Mercedes is already thinking about tomorrow today: the new EQS is designed to be correspondingly sustainable. The vehicles are produced in a carbon-neutral manner, and resource-saving materials such as carpets made from recycled yarn are used. This is because Mercedes-Benz considers the entire value chain, from development and the supplier network to its own production. Mercedes-Benz AG has had its climate protection targets confirmed by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI).

With a great deal of meticulous detail work and on the basis of the Purpose design, the aerodynamicists, in close cooperation with the designers, were able to achieve a new cd best value of 0.20. This makes the EQS the most aerodynamic production car in the world. The operating range particularly benefits from this. It is also among the best in terms of quiet running. The very low wind noise level contributes significantly to this.

Remote Parking Assist: convenient parking and unparking from a distance

Without a driver on board, the EQS is on the move with Remote Parking. However, the driver is still responsible. Remote Parking Assist allows drivers to control a parking process via their smartphone and the Remote Parking App while outside but in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. This means more comfort when getting in and out and protects against damage when opening the vehicle doors.

Remote Parking Assist parks the vehicle at the driver's request and under the driver's constant control if an appropriate parking scenario has been selected via the central display in the EQS or the app on the smartphone. The driver-monitored parking procedure continues automatically as long as the driver presses the touch surface on the smartphone while tilting it by 90°. If the control surface is no longer pressed or the smartphone is no longer tilted, the vehicle is automatically braked to a stop.

In addition to full in and out of parking spaces scenarios, Remote Parking Assist has an Exploration mode. This allows the EQS to move straight in and out of garage entrances or end-on parking spaces, for example, by using the smartphone for the last few metres.

It is not only this which has considerably simplified operation compared to the previous Remote Parking generation. Compatibility with different phones has also been increased. While the vehicle and smartphone previously communicated via Bluetooth, a WiFi connection in the 2.4 GHz band is now also available. Initially linking the vehicle and smartphone has also been improved. A QR code can now be used for faster, more convenient authorisation.

When remote parking, the driver continues to have full responsibility for the vehicle and its control during the entire parking procedure. He/she can interrupt or cancel the parking procedure with the smartphone or the vehicle key at any time, and take back control.

In addition to Remote Parking Assist, the Parking Package with remote parking functions also includes Memory Parking Assist. This SAE Level 2 system can remember parking locations such as how to get to and from the home garage. The driver sits behind the steering wheel and is asked if he or she would like to perform an automated parking procedure. Thanks to the memory function, the system remembers how to park in a learned parking space and automatically drives into the garage. If obstacles are detected, the system stops until they are removed.

Passive safety

The principles of Integral Safety, in particular accident safety, apply regardless of the platform. Like all other Mercedes, the EQS therefore features a rigid passenger cell, special deformation zones and state-of-the-art restraint systems. PRE-SAFE® is standard.

The fact that the EQS is based on an all-electric architecture also opened up new design possibilities for its safety concept. Thus, the installation space for the battery could be favourably selected in a crash-protected area in the underbody. And because there is no large engine block on board, the behaviour in a frontal crash could be modelled even better. In addition to the standard crash tests, the car's performance in various additional load situations was verified and extensive component tests carried out at the Vehicle Safety Technology Centre (TFS).

High-voltage system: automatic shut-down in accidents

The battery, high-voltage (HV) cables and other HV components have been designed and protected in such a way that they meet Mercedes-Benz's high safety requirements in the event of an accident.

The multi-stage protection concept of the high-voltage (HV) system has already proven itself in the other Mercedes-EQ models. In case of danger, it can be automatically switched off and disconnected from the battery. A distinction is made between a reversible and an irreversible cut-off. In the case of a reversible shut-down, which occurs in less severe accidents, it is possible to switch the high-voltage system back on if a prior insulation measurement detects no faults. This means that vehicles still capable of being driven can continue their journey. Only in the case of very severe accidents, where the vehicle is usually incapable of being driven anyway, is the high-voltage system shut down irreversibly and unable to be activated without repair. When shutting down, there is a provision to ensure that within a few seconds there is no residual voltage in the high-voltage system outside the battery that could cause injury.

There are also shut-down points where emergency teams can deactivate the high-voltage system manually. In addition, the EQS has crash monitoring when stationary (during DC charging) as standard.

Acoustic Vehicle Alert System: special sound as a warning for pedestrians

The electric-car-specific innovations also include an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (standard). This makes it easier for pedestrians to notice the EQS at low speeds. One sound generator sits weatherproof in the front right wheel arch and in the rear underbody respectively. An EQ-specific sound is generated up to a vehicle speed of approx. 30 km/h. It becomes louder and higher with increasing speed. This change allows conclusions to be drawn about the driving status (braking/acceleration).

Above 20 km/h, the sound is gradually faded out, since above this threshold the vehicle can be perceived via the then dominant rolling and wind noises. If the speed drops back to 30 km/h, the sound is faded in again. When reversing, an intuitively recognisable interval tone sounds regardless of the speed.

Modern restraint systems: from B for belt airbag to W for window airbag

In addition to driver and front passenger airbags, a knee airbag on the driver's side is also standard. It protects the legs from contact with the steering column or instrument panel in a severe frontal crash. This can prevent or lessen the severity of injuries.

The standard window airbags can reduce the risk of head impact with the side window or penetrating objects. In the event of a serious side collision, the window airbag on the side of the impact extends from the A- to the C-pillar like a curtain over the front and rear side windows. If a rollover is detected, the window airbags can be activated on both sides.

Vehicles for Europe also have a centre airbag to meet new rating requirements. During a severe side impact, it positions itself between the driver and front passenger seat, reducing the risk of their heads making contact. It is integrated into the driver's seat backrest in the middle of the vehicle.

In conjunction with power rear seats with memory function, the EQS is equipped with side airbags in the rear. They protect the chest area on the outer rear seats in the event of a severe side impact and supplement the protection provided by the standard window airbags.

The belt airbags (optional extra) ensure that passengers in the outer rear seats are particularly well protected in the event of a severe frontal collision. The inflatable webbing widens its contact area in the chest and shoulder area almost threefold when triggered. This can reduce the loads acting on the occupants' thorax.

In conjunction with the Exclusive nappa leather Package, the EQS has designer belt buckles at the front and rear. They support buckling up, because the lights of the belt buckle pulsate at that time. When stationary and at low speed, the lights are solid.

The EQS has i-Size child seat attachments as standard on the two outer rear seats. With two anchors each between the seat back and the seat cushion, corresponding child seats are installed particularly quickly and securely. Top tether attachment points behind the rear head restraints provide additional support.

PRE-SAFE®: precautionary protection as standard

The PRE-SAFE® preventive occupant protection system is fitted as standard in the EQS. Together with the familiar precautionary measures in the event of a potential frontal and rear-end crash, PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side (available in conjunction with the Driving Assistance Package Plus or the Driving Assistance Package with DRIVE PILOT) forms a kind of virtual crumple zone that extends around the vehicle.

As only a limited crumple zone is available in a side impact, PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side (availability depending on selected equipment) can move the affected driver or front passenger away from the danger even before the crash as soon as the system detects that a side collision is immediately imminent. For this purpose, air chambers in the side bolsters of the front seat backrest are inflated in fractions of a second.