Your Definitive Guide to the new Mercedes EQS Electric Car

The new Mercedes EQS Electric Car Lease - Your definitive guide

What EVs are coming next - luxury or budget? This is now a big question in the electric car market, with many UK groups and committees now taking to these conundrums into the political sphere, with celebrities like Quentin Wilson fighting the corner of the EV protagonists.

The UK is actually one of the most-popular all-electric markets in Europe, so we are doing some amazing things and this should not go unnoticed or ignored.

But as Wilson recognised in his evidence to a Select Committee on Transport on May 15th, there is a litany of articles in the news and media which are pushing the anti-EV agenda. And while conjecture and opinion is important, so that we have a balanced and fair debate, there is deep and meaningful harm in the select stories and poorly researched pieces, many of which we have covered in various explanatory articles.

Yes, at e-car we have a pro-EV agenda because we lease them. But unlike many businesses, we do provide cold facts on just how an EV will perform. From range to charging speeds to charging costs to performance, everything is set out at the point of sale. Some EVs are great; others are not practical for the needs and requirements.

But because we are still not educating customers properly enough at the front-end, these ridiculous stories and narratives continue. But with bodies like the EVA (https://www.evaengland.org.uk/) setting out a firm process on how we can improve, there is some positivity ahead.

And the future of electric cars is going to be a mix of vehicle types and segments. As we have covered in the last few weeks, there are an array of new vehicle options coming into the UK’s electric car market throughout 2024 including:

•  A budget Alfa-Romeo Junior
•  A cost-effective Kia EV3 
•  A luxury Mercedes EQE Saloon 
•  An ostentatious SUV G-Class EV

So not one car or type of car is clearly being adopted as the way forwards. For business and fleet customers there are clearly immeasurable tax benefits in using zero-emission cars compared to petrol or diesel ones, so there is perhaps greater budgetary scope.

In particular, many directors in successful businesses have been enjoying performance and luxury EVs as their company car tax bill has been rendered almost non-existent. For personal customers, you are looking at a situation where many households are making direct cost comparisons between petrol/diesel v electric, where costs of fuel, servicing, maintenance and finance are more acutely felt. Not all EVs are £100k+ and there will be a healthy offering of more affordable vehicles.

However, manufacturers still have to engineer robust luxury vehicles, with the UK’s successful entrepreneurs and business owners still demanding this.

And the Mercedes group have been one manufacturer who are not without a healthy supply of luxury vehicles. Having already confirmed their G-Class EV and EQE saloon for 2024, there is also the S-class all-electric equivalent which is now available to order on the Mercedes website.

Having launched in late 2021, this luxury “liftback” has now received a model revision, after nearly 3 years in production. UK customers can choose between:

• AMG Line Premium - from £112,610 this includes 21” alloys, acoustic privacy glass, AMG exterior styling, headlamps, heat pump, keyless-go, Mirror Package, panoramic glass roof, soft-closing door, Burmester sound system, Driving Assistance Package Plus, MBUX Hyperscreen, Parking Package, augmented reality navigation, wireless charging system, active ambient lighting, AMG embellishments, heated front and rear seats, memory package and electrically adjustable seats;  
•  AMG Line Premium Plus - from £119,610 this adds 21” multispoke alloys, dashcam, HUD, MBUX interior assistant, parking package with remoted parking service;  
•  Business Class - from £119,610 this adds 22” aerodynamic alloys, heated steering wheel, heated windscreen, massage seats and Nappa leather; and 
• 53 Night Edition - for £161,860 this adds 21” cross-spoke alloys, acoustic privacy glass, AMG styling, brake calipers in red paint, heat pump, keyless-go, side-skirts in black high-gloss, dashcam, augmented navigation, Hyperscreen, AMG performance styling, climatized front seats, comfort armrest, AMG nappa leather, heated rear seats and two cushions.   

But how will the new Mercedes EQS perform - is it a good EV for company car drivers?

The brand have confirmed two battery derivatives will be available for the UK market including:

• EQS 450+  -  the 118 kWh lithium-ion battery will offer 0 – 62 times of 6.2 seconds, 130 mph top speeds and 265 kW (or 355hp). This model is a RWD option. Expect a combined winter range of 355 miles with warmer weather allowing for 490 miles - 425 miles combined. On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 12 hour and 45 mins 0 – 100% charging times with the 200 kW DC maximum allowing 33 minute 10 – 80% times. This has a cargo volume of 620L and vehicle fuel equivalent of 146 mpg. This model can tow 750 kg braked and 750 kg unbraked. A heat pump is standard.  This saloon will not yet feature bidirectional charging; and 

•   EQS 350+ -  the 118 kWh lithium-ion battery will offer 0 – 62 times of 3.4 seconds, 155 mph top speeds and 560 kW (or 751hp). This model is an AWD option. Expect a combined winter range of 305 miles with warmer weather allowing for 415 miles - 365 miles combined. On charging, the 22 kW AC max will allow 6 hour and 30 mins 0 – 100% charging times with the 200 kW DC maximum allowing 33 minute 10 – 80% times. This has a cargo volume of 620L and vehicle fuel equivalent of 125 mpg. This model can tow 1500 kg braked and 750 kg unbraked. A heat pump is standard.  This saloon will not yet feature bidirectional charging.

Need more help and advice on your new Mercedes EV? Just get in touch with our team on 01942 910 001 or by emailing us at [email protected]