Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has introduced the highly-anticipated all-new Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC SUV, marking its entry into the world of all-electric luxury SUVs. This innovative electric SUV is built on the bespoke electric vehicle platform EVA2, designed from the ground up for electric mobility. It represents a bold fusion of cutting-edge features and timeless elegance.
The EQS SUV distinguishes itself as the first all-electric luxury SUV from Mercedes-Benz, underpinned by a purpose-built electric vehicle platform. Its design reflects a unique blend of form and function, combining exceptional functionality and aerodynamic performance with an unmistakable and innovative aesthetic. The design philosophy, known as Sensual Purity, is evident in the generously sculpted surfaces, seamless transitions, and minimalistic joints. Even in its seven-seater configuration, the EQS SUV maintains a dynamic and commanding presence.
The front end showcases a ‘Black Panel’ unit, featuring headlamps connected by a luminous band, alongside a deep black radiator grille with a distinctive three-dimensional star pattern bearing the Mercedes-Benz signature. Notable are the small triangular daytime running lights, which impart a striking visual signature. The light modules feature a textured surface illuminated from behind, incorporating a three-dimensional hexagon pattern in conjunction with the daytime running lights, ensuring instant recognition. The EQS SUV comes standard with Digital Light featuring a light band.
The seamless design is prominently displayed in the front with the AMG Line Exterior, showcasing reduced joint patterns and a bonnet that appears to overlap. Power domes on the front bonnet further emphasise its dynamic character.
The SUV’s dynamic silhouette defines its side profile and conveys its aerodynamic efficiency. Starting from the rounded front, the sleek A-pillar and the roofline flow towards the rear spoiler. The roof spoiler, always in black, creates an illusion of lowered vehicle height when viewed from the side. The extended C-pillar, set far to the rear, emphasises the spacious interior. A three-dimensional chrome strip elegantly frames the side windows. The EQS SUV is equipped with 22-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels, aerodynamically optimised, and finished in high-gloss black with a high-sheen finish.
Aerodynamic considerations dictate the placement of the exterior mirrors on its shoulders. The black wheel arch claddings and side sill panels help minimise its visual volume. The EQS SUV is outfitted with aluminium-look illuminated running boards featuring rubber studs, which provide not only aesthetic appeal but also aerodynamic advantages that contribute positively to the electric range. Standard features include flush door handles and a panoramic sunroof, consisting of two modules creating an expansive glass surface, and ensuring ample transparency and light in the cabin.
The rear of the EQS SUV shines with meticulously designed LED lights, featuring elements in the shape of a curved 3D helix. This, combined with the light band, creates a unique lighting signature that characterises Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles.
The tailgate integrates seamlessly with the bumper, while the black wheel arch linings extend to the lower portion of the rear bumper. Below, a high-quality chrome element in diffuser style, combined with an aerodynamically optimised spoiler lip on the underbody, adds the finishing touch.
Built on the modular architecture for large electric vehicles, the EQS SUV optimises SUV-specific aerodynamic details, including turbulators and aerodynamically designed running boards, striking an ideal balance between spaciousness and aerodynamic performance. The underbody is designed with multiple aerodynamic elements playing a vital role in achieving a commendable drag coefficient of 0.26, despite its high load capacity and short rear overhang.
Taking inspiration from Formula 1 car underbodies, the running boards are turned downwards in the non-visible area underneath. This directs airflow behind the wheels, delivering measurable aerodynamic benefits.
The EQS SUV offers a variety of driving modes through Dynamic Select, allowing the driver to customise the SUV’s characteristics, including drive mode, electronic stability control (ESP), suspension, and steering. Above 80km/h, it automatically lowers itself to a standard level, while dropping below 50km/h triggers a rise to normal height. It features two versions of the offroad driving mode, one with ESP and one without. It is equipped with a transparent bonnet providing a virtual view of the area under the front of the vehicle, including the front wheels and their steering positions.
The SUV shares its long wheelbase of 3,210mm with the EQS sedan but is over 20 centimetres taller. The spacious interior dimensions are a testament to this generous SUV configuration, designed with electric mobility in mind. The standard offering includes a third row with two additional individual seats, ensuring an optimal experience for all passengers.
In terms of dimensions, the EQS SUV boasts generous space, with a length/width/height of 5,125/1,959/1,718 millimeters. Headroom measures 1,035 millimeters in the first-row seats with the sliding sunroof and 1,031 millimeters in the second row. The third row offers a comfortable 900 millimeters of headroom. The first and subsequent rows boast above-average shoulder room and elbow room.
The second-row seats can be electrically adjusted, offering a forward and backward adjustment range of up to 130 millimeters as standard. This design ensures knee room for the second row falls between 830 and 960 millimeters. These seats also recline electrically, with a range of 14 degrees forward and 4 degrees backward. The corresponding controls are conveniently located on the doors.
Incorporating the standard electric second-row seat adjustment, the luggage compartment can be continuously expanded from 645 liters (for maximum legroom) to 880 liters. Even with five occupants on board, the luggage compartment provides enough space to carry up to 24 crates of mineral water or four golf bags. With the second row folded down, the luggage compartment space increases to a generous 2,100 liters. In addition, when the third-row seats are deployed, a substantial 800 liters of boot space is available behind the second row, and 2,020 liters when folded down. With all seven seats in use, there is still a 195-liter storage space available behind the third-row seats.
The seat backrests are adjustable and can be folded down in a 40:20:40 ratio, with electrically adjustable backrest angles. In the cargo position, the backrests are set at a steeper angle, allowing for the transport of larger objects without folding them down. This cargo position can be activated via interior switches. The open tailgate provides ample headroom with a height of 1,978 millimeters, ensuring ease of loading.
The EQS SUV introduces a third row with two additional individual seats. These seats fold up from the load floor through a mechanical process. For greater ease of access to the rear, an Easy Entry function is a standard feature for the second-row seats. This function moves the backrest forward beyond the typical adjustment range by up to 290 millimetres.
One of the standout interior features is the MBUX Hyperscreen, a large, curved display unit spanning nearly from A-pillar to A-pillar. Three screens are housed under a single bonded glass cover and seamlessly meld into one expansive display. Alongside the visually impressive design, the MBUX Hyperscreen offers intuitive touch functionality, complete with haptic and force feedback. The scratch-resistant glass is coated for effortless cleaning.
The MBUX Hyperscreen unifies three displays, forming a single 141-centimeter-wide screen band. The driver’s display measures 12.3 inches diagonally, the central display is 17.7 inches, and the front passenger display is 12.3 inches. These displays are presented as one cohesive visual unit.
In the front section of the center console, the gap between the instrument panel and the center console bridges the open space, emblematic of the electric powertrain’s absence of a transmission tunnel. This design provides an expanded storage tray in the center of the footwell, enhancing the available space for accessories.
Leather surfaces with intricate seam patterns create ample storage space when combined with a large cover made of genuine wood, delivering an upscale and luxurious visual impression.
The door panel design is reminiscent of contemporary living spaces, with doors and their center panels emerging from behind the instrument panel, spanning the entire area. A surface-mounted modular body floats like a sideboard in front of the door panel, accommodating all essential door elements such as the armrest, door module, handle, and map pocket. The avant-garde look is completed with circular ambient lighting in low-light conditions.
The Electric Art equipment line offers luxury seats upholstered in black/space grey Nappa leather, accented with piping that accentuates the handcrafted touch.
Enhancing the audio experience, Apple Music’s Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos elevates the audio experience in the EQS SUV, offering studio-quality sound akin to the best concert halls. This feature ensures an immersive listening experience with multi-dimensional sound and unparalleled clarity.
The EQS SUV delivers power of up to 536hp, meeting the performance and luxury expectations of an SUV. The EQS SUV features an electric drive train (eATS) on both the rear and front axles, creating an all-wheel-drive system known as 4MATIC. The Torque Shift function optimally and continuously allocates torque between the front and rear electric motors.
The Torque Shift function seamlessly manages torque distribution between the two electric motors of the 4MATIC, adapting it on demand for optimum efficiency. This function regulates torque distribution based on different scenarios:
- Energy Efficiency: For steady-speed driving, the system determines the most efficient all-wheel-drive distribution while considering that a permanent magnet synchronous machine can be completely switched off under certain conditions, reducing the baseline load.
- Recuperation Power: To achieve the highest possible energy recovery rate during deceleration without compromising wheel grip and driving stability, an adapted torque distribution is utilized. Versions with all-wheel drive can offer recuperation power of up to 290 kW, enhancing the vehicle’s electric range.
- Traction/Acceleration: Ideal torque distribution between both axles is established to ensure optimal and stable handling during sporty cornering.
- Off-Road: In offroad driving mode, the all-wheel-drive distribution is optimised for unpaved roads, inclines, and challenging terrains.
The EQS SUV is equipped with a lithium-ion battery featuring 12 cell modules with pouch or hardcase cells. The 108.4 kWh capacity enables an impressive WLTP-rated range of up to 615km. The battery management software, developed in-house, supports over-the-air (OTA) updates, ensuring the energy management system remains current.
A state-of-the-art charging system is located above the rear axle, allowing the battery to be charged via single-phase or three-phase alternating current from the public grid, with a standard charging capacity of 22 kW. Direct current (DC) fast charging is also available, with a capacity of up to 200 kW for rapid charging. The advanced temperature and charging management of the vehicle allows for high charging currents over extended periods.
The actual charging duration depends on factors such as vehicle parameters, infrastructure availability, and specific vehicle equipment related to each country.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC SUV is available in a single variant with a price tag of RM 699,888, inclusive of the 10% Sales Tax (applicable to Peninsular Malaysia).
