MUNICH, Germany – Mercedes-Benz reveals its new electric-powered EQE on the eve of the 2021 Munich auto show, claiming it will offer a range of up to 410 miles (660 km) on the WLTP test procedure used in Germany.
The four-door sedan complements the larger EQS fastback in what the German car maker is billing as an initial four-strong lineup of EQ badged models based on its dedicated MB-EA electric car platform.
Additional high-riding EQE and EQS SUV models are set to follow in 2022 and 2023, according to Mercedes-Benz officials.
The new Mercedes-Benz BEV enters a market currently dominated by the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S, though competition for the EQE is also expected to come from the newly unveiled BMW i4, Lucid Air and the upcoming Audi A6 e-tron – the latter of which debuted in concept car form at the Shanghai auto show in April.
Conceived as an electric-powered alternative to the combustion engine E-Class, the EQE is planned to be sold with two different powertrain options in North America, where deliveries are set to begin during second-half 2022.
The initial rear-wheel drive EQE350 mates a rear-mounted synchronous electric motor delivering 288 hp and 391 lb.-ft. (530 Nm) of torque with a 90.6-kWh lithium-ion battery.
Mercedes-Benz is yet to provide a curb weight figure for the initial EQE, but it quotes a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 5.6 seconds along with an “estimated” top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h).
U.S. and European versions of the new four-door will support AC charging at up to 22 kW as well as DC charging at a maximum 170 kW – the latter claimed to provide a 10%-80% battery charge in 32 minutes.
Details to the powertrain of the second EQE model are yet to be made public, though WardsAuto understands it will use a more powerful dual-motor setup with all-wheel drive and the same 10-module battery as the EQE350.
Underpinning the new model is a four-link front and multi-link steel suspension, with an Airmatic air suspension boasting self-leveling properties available as an option. As with the EQS, buyers will be able to specify the EQE with rear-wheel steering with a steering angle of up to 10 degrees.
EQE styling draws heavily on that of the EQS with distinctive cab-forward proportions and what Mercedes-Benz describes as a “one bow” roofline. Key design details include a black panel grille and angular headlamps.
Further back, there is a fixed clamshell hood designed to be opened only during servicing, largely unadorned flanks, frameless doors with flush door handles, sculptured rear haunches and wheel wells that can accommodate up to 21-in. rims. As with the EQS, the filler bottle for the windscreen washer is integrated into a flap within the front left-hand side fender, swiveling out when pressed.
The rear of the EQE differs from the EQS, with a conventional trunk replacing the fastback style tailgate of its larger sibling. However, the two EQ sedans share the same rounded rear-end form and tail lamp graphic.
At 196.6 ins. (4,994 mm) long, 77.2 ins. (1,961 mm) wide and 59.5 ins. (1,511 mm) tall, the second of Mercedes-Benz’s dedicated all-electric EQ models is several inches shorter and narrower (but the same height) as the EQS.
By comparison, the EQE is 3.3 ins. (84 mm) longer than the current E-Class.
The EQE interior (pictured above) is closely modeled after the EQS. Buyers get to choose between a standard dashboard with separate digital instrument and infotainment displays or the company’s new Hyperscreen display – a full-width curved unit housing three displays for the instruments, infotainment functions and passenger.
The packaging advantages inherent in Mercedes’ new MB-EA electric vehicle platform is claimed to make the EQE more roomy than the E-Class. The cabin is 3.1 ins. (79 mm) longer than its combustion-engine sibling for greater rear-seat legroom, says Mercedes-Benz.
