Initial Impressions: Mercedes-Benz EQE

Initial Impressions: Mercedes-Benz EQE

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In 1803 the first steam-powered engine made an appearance and, in time, started replacing horses as the go-to means for pulling the elite's carriages. Then, in 1885, Carl Benz patented the first independently-powered carriage, the same formula still used today, but, as legend has it, it wasn't sustainable from a costing perspective. It wasn't till 1908, when Henry Ford figured out the intricacies of mass production with the Model T, that independently-powered vehicles became accessible to the masses. 

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Fast forward 100-odd years, and we, once again, find ourselves at the technological crossover junction. This time, it's the implementation of electricity as a primary driving force, and it has been everything but a painless transition. Why? Well, minimal real-world electric range, overweight batteries, infrastructure and, in South Africa, these vehicles come with a hefty price tag.   

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There seems to be a glimmer of hope since engineers have, to some extent, found a workable formula as the incoming tide increasingly turns to fully electric vehicles. 

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This brings us to the newly-launched Mercedes-Benz EQE, essentially a fully-electric version of the E-Class. Launched this week at a special function in Johannesburg, the EQE is the fifth Mercedes-EQ EV to be launched locally following the introduction of the EQA, EQB, EQC and EQS in 2022. 

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It sits on the same premium-class electric architecture EVA2 as the flagship EQS and offers some of its techs in a more compact format. 

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On looks alone, its design gives it away as an electric car. It follows the same design language as the rest of the EQ brand. For one, it looks similar to the EQS, just scaled down and… shorter, thanks to a shorter wheelbase, overhangs, and recessed flanks while following the brand's Sensual Purity design language, also worn by other EQ models. 

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Sold in two variants, 350+ and a 43 AMG 4Matic, the EQE sits on a set of 19" to 21" aerodynamically-enhanced alloy wheels. 

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Arriving at the launch, Mercedes-Benz had lined up the EQ range, including both variants of the EQE, and it's worth mentioning that I did not get to drive both cars because they still needed to be homologated. 

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Concrete driving impressions aside, the interior is a definite talking point. You get a standard-spec 12.8" digital instrument cluster, an optional MBUX Hyperscreen, a 12.3" portrait-like OLED infotainment system and, in typical Merc fashion, air vents that feature a turbine design. 

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Buyers can customise the interior using various interior options. Overall, the interior is exquisite, thanks to the soft leather, sporty yet comfy seats with integrated headrests, wood trim on multiple touchpoints, and tight shut lines. While the overall execution is a step down from the flagship EQS, there's no shortage of luxurious executions.   

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When it comes to space, the EQE provides that in spades, thanks to a boot space that measures 430 litres which is a margin smaller than the conventional E-Class with 540 litres. 

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Moving on to the big news. Starting with the base EQE 350+, this model houses a rear-mounted electric motor that generates 215 kW of power and 565 Nm of torque. Its power comes from a 90.5 kWh battery pack that ensures a 6.4-second sprint to 100 km/h from a standstill before hitting the top speed of 210 km/h. 

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The EQE 43, on the other hand, ups the ante with its 350 kW and 858 Nm sent to all four corners. That results in a 0-100 km/h sprint time of just 4.2 seconds despite its weight that tips the scales at 2.400 kg. Like its counterpart, it uses a 90.5 kWh battery pack, and its top speed is also capped at 210 km/h. 

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According to Mercedes-Benz, the former can travel up to 645 km before running out of power, and as you know, performance comes with a price; the latter's cruising range is down to a claimed 535 km. 

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Recharging the battery packs using a 170 kW DC charger adds about 80% in 32 minutes, while 0-100% using a 3-phase AC charger takes 9 hours and 15 minutes with an 11 kW plug. A 22 kW outlet gets the same charging task completed in 4 hours and 45 minutes.

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On the safety side, the EQE adds a microsleep warning from Attention Assist. It monitors the driver's eyelid movements using a camera in the driver display and therefore prompts drivers to take a break. 

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The EQE comes with a four-link front suspension and a multilink rear suspension. At the same time, buyers can fit the Airmatic air suspension with ADS+ adaptive damping system for added road comfort and rear-axle steering. As for the EQE 43, it can be optionally equipped with the AMG Ride Control+ air suspension with adaptive adjustable damping. 

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Ready or not, the clock is ticking, and almost every manufacturer is itching to enter the EV fray. Its closest and somewhat more affordable rival, the BMW i4 (R1,637,900), has been on sale in SA for a while now, meaning the EQE has some catching up to do in terms of market availability. 

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Whether it will be the next big disrupter as far as the technological crossover point is concerned; well, we'll have to see when we finally get some decent mileage.

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Estimated Pricing 

• EQE 350+: R1,800,000
• EQE 43 4MATIC R2,200,000. 

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The pricing includes a PremiumDrive Platinum 5-year/100,000 km maintenance plan and a 10-year battery warranty.

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