Mercedes-Benz has showcased the next stages of its transition to full electrification at this year’s Munich motor show and its most important unveiling was this: the all-new Mercedes EQE electric saloon.
It is the second model to sit atop the brand’s EVA2 platform, following the larger and more luxury-oriented EQS, and will be launched in mid-2022 as a rival to EVs such as the Tesla Model 3, BMW i4 and Polestar 2. Prices will be confirmed closer to its launch, but expect the EQE to be available from around £60,000 – roughly midway between the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and EQS.
Design
The relationship with the EQS flagship is clear from the EQE’s black front panel, ‘one-bow’ cab-forward silhouette – a hallmark of the brand’s new-era bespoke EV family – and short overhangs at the front and rear. Mercedes also refers to the “sensual purity” achieved by minimising joints, transitions and body lines and suggests the EQE shows off its “athletic character” with pronounced rear haunches and wheels ranging in size from 19in to 21in.
As with the EQS, the EQE has been designed with optimum aerodynamic efficiency in mind, with Mercedes claiming a “very good” Cd figure as a result of its smooth underbody, rigorous panel gap sealing and closed-off grille. It can’t quite match the EQS as a result of its shorter overhangs and standard-fit multi-link front and rear steel suspension, but the aero-optimisation measures “were developed particularly intensively”. Mercedes is even offering specially developed 19in and 20in ‘aero wheels’, including a set with an almost completely closed surface.
The EQE – the first Mercedes model to be built using 100% recycled steel – is 270mm shorter than the EQS, at 4946mm long, and has an 80mm-longer wheelbase than the E-Class, at 3120mm. Mercedes notes that it is more comparable in size to the CLS four-door coupé and, like that car, the EQE has a hatch-style bootlid rather than a saloon-style one.
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Mercedes Designers are living in their isolated world & the senior management think they are the dods b........cks. I can remember back in the eighties when Ford launched the Sierra and it was immediatley labbled "Jelly Mould". Well this Merc is the ultimate Jelly Mould, and its even got the old Ford Escort "Dog Bone" front bumper grille. Come on you Merc stylists, be a bit original for once. I can see why Jag scrapped the launch of the XJ replacement, all theyve got to do is wait 'till BMW & Audi launch their flagships & then design something more beautiful!!!
In that battleship grey with those black alloys and the big screen it will sell loads though to the Youtube generation and its influencers. Would do me, if I would care to spend that much on a car
The EQE desperately needs horizontal articulation in order to make it looks less dumpy.
From the beautiful Vision Concept to the production EQS to this shortened EQE much has been lost.