Two new Mercedes-AMG electric models announced

Thursday, 17 February 2022

The Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 has launched. Goodbye, E 63?

Mercedes-AMG has announced two new entries to the EQE line-up, both set to offer some seriously blistering performance.

Starting with the EQE 43 4Matic, this is the entry point to the AMG-ified EQE range. It boasts 350kW and a healthy 858Nm of torque from two electric motors, connected to a fully variable all-wheel drive system.

Moving up a notch gets you the EQE 53 4Matic+, which increases power to 460kW/950Nm, or, if you opt for the AMG Dynamic Plus package, 505kW/1000Nm. That’s brushing up close to the maximum output of the Porsche Taycan Turbo S – 560kW/1050Nm. But remember, there’s still the ‘63' moniker yet to be used…

The Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 is the current range-topper. But it probably won’t stay that way for long.

Hitting 100kmg in the 43 takes a respectable 4.2 seconds while the 53 can take as little as 3.3 seconds. Interestingly, AMG specifies that these times are only achievable with a minimum battery charge of 50 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively.

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Going for the ‘43’ model should still allow you to terrify your passengers with 858Nm of torque.

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It looks a bit more comfort-oriented than the Taycan, but don’t let that trick you. The AMG EQE models should still be brutally fast around corners.

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The Hyperscreen is optional for both cars.

The rear-mounted motor is more powerful, AMG says, which should translate to a more rear-biased drive by default.

Torque between the front and rear axles is checked 160 times per second and adjusted if necessary. The torque distribution depends on the selected drive program: in 'Comfort' mode the focus is on maximum efficiency, while in 'Sport' and 'Sport+' the torque is more rear-biased in the interests of greater lateral dynamics.

Rear-wheel steering is standard as well, to aid agility at speeds below 60kmh and stability at higher speeds.

Each of the AMG EQE models gets a 90.6kWh battery pack with 328-volt workings. It supports charge rates of up to 170kW at DC fast chargers, which can generate enough juice for 180km of range in 15 minutes.

It also features pre-conditioning to allow maximum charge rates for longer, and a special control set to reduce charging load and slow the aging process of the battery.

There’s also a regeneration function, like most EVs, which can pull back up to 260kW of power. The car supports one-pedal driving, and can situationally dial up the regen by itself.

The optional Drive Pilot pack lets the system automatically slow according to vehicles ahead until they come to a stop, even without adaptive cruise control enabled.

Suspension is adapted from the AMG EQS and AMG GT Four-Door Coupe, with active adjustable damping based on a four-link front axle and multilink rear suspension set-up. Everything has been retuned for EQE duties, which should result in a hot drive as well as a high level of comfort.

AMG also says a special sound has been developed for its EVs. Like the drive programs, the sound has a wide bandwidth: in the standard basic version 'Authentic', the driver can regulate the sound and its intensity depending on the driving status and the selected drive program.

From the release: “The hallmark AMG driving sounds are generated with the help of additional hardware, including special speakers, a bass actuator and a sound generator.' Hopefully that means it doesn’t try and emulate a roaring V8, that never works out well…

We’re yet to hear anything about pricing, a launch date, or if the models will be offered in New Zealand. But, considering we’re a pretty healthy market in terms of AMG models, the AMG EQE twins should arrive here eventually.