The Mercedes-Benz EQS gets a big update with more range and a more upmarket design.
The electric car market is one that evolves as quickly as changes in the tech industry will allow. This has put many traditional carmakers in a worrisome spot and we can see them trying to adopt to the changing times. Mercedes-Benz is no exception. One of the oldest marques in the business rolled out their first EQS flagship sedan in the middle of 2021 and now in 2024 we’re getting a facelift. This is the first of the EVA platform facelifts. The compact Mercedes EVs like the EQA and EQB both got minor facelifts last year but these are sitting on a different platform that can serve both ICE and electric powertrains.
Range Increase For EQS
The EQS already had the longest range of any electric vehicle sold in Malaysia at 696km. Now with the facelift model, the range is extended further still to 799km on the EQS 450 4MATIC and 822km on the EQS 450+ rear-wheel drive. This is an 11% increase over previous figures and it’s thanks to a number of changes. The biggest change is the battery capacity, which goes from 108.4 kWh to 118 kWh. Besides that, there is now a heat pump as standard, which helps with range in colder climates. More relevant to Malaysian drivers is the Disconnect Unit on 4MATIC models,which decouples the front motors when not needed to increase range. Besides that, brake recuperation levels have been increased on the EQS thanks to a modified brake force cylinder.
The towing capacity for both EQE and EQS sedans with 4MATIC has been upgraded from 750kg to 1700kg too, which is what their SUV derivatives can already do. Another change comes in the form of the braking system. Since brake regen is used most of the time in daily operation, there is a new special function that automatically applies the brake discs from time to time.
Improved Design
A change also comes to the exterior look. The black panel has been given a distinguished look to set the EQS apart from its siblings. Now there’s a chrome application as part of the Electric Art Line. There are also chrome-plated and flush-mounted slats on the front grille cover and to top it all off, a traditional upright three-pointed star hood ornament gives the EQS a true flagship Mercedes finish.
Interior Upgrades
Inside, the sense of occasion has also been elevated. There are now galvanized chrome finishes on the B-pillar air cond vents. There is also an additional cushion in the rear with piping made of Nappa leather. Rear Comfort Package Plus also comes with executive seats with a special slanted footrest on the right side of the rear compartment. The passenger seat can also be folded forward and the backrest in the rear reclined for more space at the rear. 5mm of additional foam has been added in the backrest as well.
There are other improvements to the ADAS system, but those aren’t applicable to Malaysian customers.
