Selwyn_Times: July 12, 2023

Wednesday July 12 2023 Selwyn Times 27
Mercedes EQE breathtakingly quick
Motoring with Bob Nettleton
IN THE last three years
Mercedes Benz has amped
up their quest to become a
luxury electric vehicle game
changer, with their efforts being
spearheaded by the EQ range of
electric models.
Among them the futuristically
styled and breathtakingly quick
EQE AMG, one of the hottest
ever Mercedes Benz sedans
priced at a cool $220,000 – and
the subject of this road test.
Just months after the launch of
the large luxury EQS, the EQE
is the next model series to be
based on architecture Mercedes
Benz developed specifically for
their electric models. The EQE
emulates the lofty luxury car
benchmark set by the flagship
EQS, for refined pure electric
motoring, albeit in a slightly
more compact format.
Riding on a slightly shorter
wheelbase than the EQS, with
shorter overhangs and more
recessed flanks, the EQE remains
a substantial high-end luxury
sedan. Interior space exceeds
the comparable ICE (Internal
Combustion Engine) Mercedes-
Benz E-Class, including interior
length (+80mm) and front
shoulder room (+27mm). The
EQE comfortably accommodates
up to five people even on longer
journeys.
It’s one super slippery
customer. This is what you would
expect from one of the world’s
most aerodynamic vehicles. With
a drag coefficient of just 0.22,
it’s second only to its big brother
the EQS whose the slipperiest
of them all with an astonishing
drag co-efficient of just 0.20 Cd.
These figures allow both cars to
glide along with minimal wind
resistance and noise.
The EQE was developed with
a strong environmental focus
with the plant it’s built at in
Germany converted to climateneutral
production and only
using electricity from renewable
sources. These are a large number
of initiatives underpinning
each new all-electric model
from Mercedes-EQ family as
the company moves towards its
target, to make its new passenger
car fleet CO2-neutral by 2039.
The EQE brings sharp styling
and attitude, along with a level
of standard equipment and
refinement to what is regarded
as an all-electric alternative to
the legendary Mercedes-Benz
E-Class sedan.
A three-model range is
offered here and put its best foot
forward with the entry level
and attractively priced $132,100
EQE. After more power and
technology? That’s offered in
abundance in the $145,000n
350 version featuring Mercedes
Benz 4MATIC AWD system. For
wanting the jewel in the EQE
crown it has to be the X-factor
$200k plus AMG 53 4MATIC.
All EQE’s are covered by a
five-year unlimited kilometre
SUPER QUICK: From 0-100km in a mind-bending 3.5sec.
‘The torque and power arrive in an instant with stunning
performance right across the driving spectrum’
warranty and 10 years or up to
250,000km, whatever comes first.
When nothing less than a
supreme high performance
large luxury electric sedan
will do, the EQE 53 4MATIC+
delivers emphatically. Its dual
electric motors generate an
epic 460kW of power and a
staggering 950Nm of torque.
Their combined might hurtles
the car 0-100km/h in a mind
bending 3.5sec. All with a handy
maximum real world all-electric
driving range of 500km. This is
around 90km less electric range
than the other two versions.
However, you could make a
strong argument that’s the price
you pay for power and a genuine
LUXURY: The Mercedes EQE AMG is a substantial high-end offering, priced at a cool
$220,000.
high performance electrified
luxury-driving experience
like no other. The torque and
power arrive in an instant with
stunning performance right
across the driving spectrum.
The fit and finish of the
generously proportioned
passenger compartment is
outstanding, along with a driving
position that’s close to perfection.
The boot is as commodious as
the cabin, with no need to poke,
prod or manipulate luggage to
get in even the even largest loads.
The passenger compartment
is one of those places you never
want to leave with climatised
front seats finished in Nappa
leather. You know you’re driving
the real electric performance car
deal as soon as you wrap your
mitts around the multifunction
leather sports steering wheel.
Both front seats are heated and
electrically adjustable, while
a panoramic sliding sunroof
lighten ups your world and
senses at the touch of a button.
The Mercedes-AMG exterior
package includes red-painted
brake calipers, a vehicle
Protection PLUS package that
enables collision detection,
stolen vehicle assistance and
emergency key deactivation. All
switches and controls are made
from quality materials, are easy
to read, reach and view for the
driver.
On board is the latest
generation of the MBUX
multimedia system, including
MBUX Navigation. A large
centrally mounted LED screen
includes a fingerprint scanner
to activate driver profiles, and
there’s a handy head-up display.
It’s hard not to be impressed
by the quality surround sound
system, smartphone integration
for Apple and Android devices,
and wireless charging for selected
mobile devices.
A smart Driving Assistance
Package includes Active Distance
Assist, Active Brake Assist with
cross-traffic function, Active
Lane Change Assist, Active
Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane,
all making for one highly active
vehicle.
A Type 2 plug, a five-metre
charging cable for a wall box and
public charging stations, and
a charging cable for domestic
power sockets, comes with the
vehicle. All EQE models can be
linked to Mercedes-Me Connect,
enabling a number of remote
functions to be performed from a
linked device.
AIRMATIC air suspension
enhanced the test vehicles ride
and all round poise. Rear-axle
steering shortens the turning
circle during cornering and
parking, and delivers better
steering response. Comfort for
a serious high performance
sedan is excellent, and free of the
sometimes abrasive low-speed
ride associated with this type of
model.
Handling is right out of the
top draw thanks to a superbly
designed, engineered and tuned
suspension providing prodigious
levels of grip. In fact, I felt at
times the test vehicle was ‘super
glued’ to the road surface. With
the lithium-ion battery forming
part of the vehicles floor you
have the ideal low centre of
gravity. This further improves
what’s an already incredibly
well balanced and agile full-size
luxury sedan.
Rating out of 10:
Performance 9; Handling
8; Build Quality 8;
Refinement 8; Space
8; Styling 8; Value for
money 6; Safety – ANCAP
crash rating, Not tested
yet; Clean car rebate –
none. Overall points out
of 10: 8.5
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