The luxury and exclusivity have arrived with the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS, the brand's new electric saloon

It is called the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS and will become the new flagship of the brand’s electric cars, from the star brand.

The star brand has previewed what will become its next luxury saloon. It is named Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS and will be the manufacturer’s first electric sedan. This concept will offer 476 CV and was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this year.

Called Vision EQS, the new four-door offers a preview of what Mercedes-Benz says will be its most advanced production model when it reaches showrooms in 2021. It will be launched as a direct rival to the next generation of the fully electric Jaguar XJ, as well as the Tesla Model S and the Audi E-tron GT.

The EQS will be sold alongside the seventh-generation S-Class and will act as a high-tech flagship for a wide range of models in the new Mercedes-Benz EQ electric car brand. It follows the EQC, EQA and EQB as the fourth fully electric Mercedes-Benz, but it is the first to feature a dedicated platform of steel, aluminium and carbon fibre, internally known as MEA. The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS also forms the basis of an even more luxurious Maybach model that is set to take on an upcoming electric model developed by Rolls-Royce.

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS, this is the electrified saloon

The first proper electric vehicle from Mercedes achieves a dynamically competitive brand and could outperform its rivals in comfort and refinement. A great appeal for environmental awareness and technology; perhaps a little less so for the driver who enjoys driving.

The chairman of Mercedes-Benz, Ola Källenius, has noted that “by 2022, we will have launched a total of more than 10 purely electric vehicles. On top of this, we will electrify the entire Mercedes-Benz portfolio and therefore offer our customers at least one electrified alternative in every Mercedes-Benz model series, more than 50 in total”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njW9E-fCzcY

Powered by two electric motors distributed across both axles for four-wheel drive, the Vision EQS has a combined output of around 476 CV and 700 Nm of peak torque. This is enough to let the car accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of over 200 km/h.

The two electric motors can send power to each individual wheel through a torque vectoring setup which is said to provide unmatched levels of traction and handling dexterity in the upper luxury segment.

The MEA platform is said to be capable of housing a battery of up to 100kWh in size. The sister company of Mercedes-Benz, Accumotive’s lithium-ion battery, is said to give the saloon a range of over 700 kilometres.

Mercedes-Benz has developed the EQS to support 350kW charging, a standard that Porsche first achieved with its Taycan. On such a system, Mercedes-Benz claims the battery can be charged to 80% in just 20 minutes. Thanks to the new electric platform, the Vision EQS can have different proportions from a traditional saloon. The bonnet is shorter, with the windscreen well forward, and the rear is quite low by current standards. The roofline, meanwhile, has a shape similar to that adorning the third-generation CLS.

With the battery housed entirely within the plane of the MEA platform, it is said to have an exceptionally low centre of gravity, as well as advanced air suspension with active body control and anti-roll to enhance the car’s dynamic appeal.

What does the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS look like?

Stylistically, the Vision EQS follows the lead of the EQC with an exterior that has fuller shapes and a smoother surface than those of current combustion-engined models. To inject some additional visual dynamism, the new concept receives a two-tone paint scheme, as well as a LED light strip along the shoulder on each side.

Instead of a traditional chrome grille, the EQS receives a full seamless black panel grille with an illuminated three-pointed star emblem, containing more than 188 individual LEDs. Framing the black panel grille are Mercedes-Benz’s digital light headlights, each with two holographic lens modules that allow it to project signals onto the road to improve pedestrian safety.

The rear of the car is dominated by another light strip made up of 229 individual illuminated three-pointed stars. In total, the new Mercedes-Benz concept has around 940 individual LEDs.

The EQS also features a new-style cabin inspired by luxury yachts. The fluid shapes of the dashboard are said to reflect the look already chosen for the production version of the new luxury saloon. Also included is a future version of the company’s latest MBUX operating system, which works in combination with a large digital panel that houses the instruments and the information and entertainment functions.

As well as revealing the design ideas that will be incorporated into its production sibling, the concept’s interior also showcases a range of recyclable materials being considered for use in future Mercedes-Benz models. These include composite materials made from recycled PET bottles and plastic ocean waste, as well as a synthetic leather material that closely resembles the properties of nappa leather.