Mercedes-Benz Korea officially launches the luxury business electric SUV ‘The New EQE SUV’ in the domestic market.
First unveiled globally at the digital world premiere in October last year and introduced for the first time in Korea at the ‘2023 Seoul Mobility Show’ earlier this year, the New EQE SUV is the second luxury business electric SUV model developed based on Mercedes-Benz’s dedicated electric vehicle architecture, ‘EVA2’.
The New EQE SUV is gaining attention as a perfect ‘all-rounder’ electric SUV, equipped with a generous driving range achieved through an aerodynamic design, practical interior space, and stable and comfortable driving performance in any environment, along with various convenience features.
Killian Tellen, Vice President of Products, Marketing, and Digital Business at Mercedes-Benz Korea, said, “The New EQE SUV features a luxurious and sporty exterior, along with class-leading spacious interior, while achieving groundbreaking improvements in aerodynamics and driving efficiency,” adding that “The New EQE SUV is expected to establish itself in the domestic market as an all-around electric SUV that meets the high standards of Mercedes-Benz customers with design, practicality, and performance.”
The New EQE SUV incorporates various design elements to enhance aerodynamic efficiency and comes equipped with a heat pump as standard along with a Disconnect Unit (DCU) for optimized driving efficiency.
At the front axle of the New EQE SUV, a new wheel spoiler has been applied, and special aero cladding has been developed for the aerodynamically optimized wheels to improve airflow to the tires. The vehicle’s underbody, which incorporates precise aerodynamic elements like serrated turbulators, greatly enhances airflow. Thanks to these elements, the EQE SUV boasts an excellent drag coefficient of 0.25Cd, despite its large size and short rear overhang.
The New EQE SUV is equipped with a lithium-ion battery composed of a total of 10 modules, paired with Mercedes-Benz’s innovative battery management software. Additionally, the standard heat pump utilizes the waste heat from the electric motor and battery for cabin heating, aiding in more efficient driving and extended driving range.
The all-wheel drive 4MATIC systems of the New EQE 350 4MATIC SUV and New EQE 500 4MATIC SUV distribute torque between the front and rear electric motors (eATS) in the most efficiency-optimized manner according to driving conditions. Additionally, for the first time in a Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle, a Disconnect Unit (DCU) has been installed allowing the front motor to disconnect automatically for rear-wheel driving depending on the driving conditions and required power. For example, when load is low, the DCU disengages the front electric motor and transmission, switching from all-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive, significantly reducing resistance loss.
Thanks to these features, the EQE 350 4MATIC SUV and EQE 500 4MATIC SUV can achieve a maximum driving range of 404 km and 401 km, respectively, based on domestic certification standards, and the EQE 500 4MATIC SUV delivers peak power of 300 kW and maximum torque of 858 Nm.
The exterior of the New EQE SUV adopts the EQ family look with elements such as a black panel radiator grille while emphasizing a sporty atmosphere with dynamic proportions and muscular vehicle shoulders. The EQE 500 4MATIC SUV is accentuated with the AMG line exterior, featuring a chrome-finished A-wing trim and 21-inch AMG multi-spoke lightweight alloy wheels.
Built on a large electric platform, the interior boasts digitized elements and class-leading spaciousness. It comes equipped with a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a 12.8-inch OLED central display, providing excellent visibility, while the zero-layer interface continuously optimizes based on environmental changes and user behavior, serving as a meticulous assistant for passengers.
The New EQE SUV provides generous space with over 1,000 mm of headroom in both the front and rear seats, and the back seat can be folded in a 4:2:4 ratio. The trunk has a basic capacity of 520 L, which can expand to a maximum of 1,675 L when the rear seats are folded down.
In true all-rounder fashion, the New EQE SUV is equipped with various elements that optimize its driving performance for diverse driving environments.
First, the air suspension with AirMATIC is standard, allowing for height adjustments as needed. The sophisticated adaptive damping system provides individual control of each wheel depending on the driving mode, speed, and load, ensuring stable driving and comfortable ride quality on any road condition.
Additionally, the Dynamic Select feature allows changes to motor, ESP (Electronic Stability Program), suspension, and steering characteristics according to the driving mode. Not only can you select Eco, Comfort, Sports, and Individual modes, but also an Off-Road mode that aids in stable driving in various off-road conditions. In Off-Road mode, the acceleration pedal curve operates smoothly, and the body can be raised by up to 25 mm. At speeds above 70 km/h, the body lowers back to standard levels, while at speeds below 50 km/h, the body is raised again.
Furthermore, the EQE 500 4MATIC SUV features rear axle steering with a maximum angle of 10°, reducing the turning radius from 12.3 m to 10.5 m, enabling more agile handling while maintaining stability at high speeds.
The New EQE SUV boasts a multitude of cutting-edge driving assistance systems and exceptional convenience features befitting a luxury business electric SUV.
The Mercedes-Benz Advanced Driving Assistance Package Plus utilizes a sensor system intelligently connected through cameras, radar, and ultrasound to analyze the surrounding environment, assisting with speed control, lane changes, and steering at the necessary moments. Additionally, features like PRE-SAFE, which detects dangerous situations before an accident occurs to minimize passenger injuries, and PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side, which protects front-seat occupants during side collisions, are included to ensure passenger safety in case of an accident.
The New EQE SUV is further enhanced with a Burmester 3D surround sound system, featuring four unique electric vehicle sounds: ‘Silver Wave’, ‘Vivid Flux’, ‘Roaring Pulse’, and a new comfortable sound called ‘Serene Breeze’. Additionally, the Dolby Atmos sound system offers a higher level of audio environment with a 360-degree sound experience, unlike traditional stereo systems.
Especially, the EQE 500 4MATIC SUV is equipped with multi-contour front seats that feature air chambers and heating functions that massage the back and lumbar area to provide comfort, along with an Acoustic Comfort Package that maximizes noise isolation and thermal insulation using special glazing and supplementary materials, offering supreme comfort during driving.
Moreover, an air purification package including a large HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, digital lights, MBUX augmented reality navigation, and active ambient lighting are standard across the lineup, creating a comfortable and safe driving environment.
In the domestic market, the ‘New EQE 350 4MATIC SUV’, ‘New EQE 500 4MATIC SUV’, and the ‘New EQE 500 4MATIC SUV Launch Edition’ commemorating the launch of the New EQE SUV are set to be released first, with the performance model ‘New Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ SUV’ expected to follow subsequently.
Notably, the ‘New EQE 500 4MATIC SUV Launch Edition’ features the innovative MBUX Hyperscreen, which integrates 3 displays into one for the driver, front passenger, and central display, offering a differentiated digital experience and completing the visual aesthetic of the driver cabin and overall interior.
The remote parking package applied in the launch edition utilizes 12 ultrasonic sensors, a 360-degree camera, and active parking assist to monitor the parking process from outside the vehicle, allowing the driver to steer the vehicle by smartphone for convenient parking and exiting.
In addition, on the 20th of this month, the ‘New EQE 500 4MATIC SUV Online Special’, a commemorative model celebrating the 20th anniversary, will also be launched.
Below is the lineup, key specifications, and suggested retail prices for the New EQE SUV.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr