Mercedes EQS SUV Set for India Debut on September 16

Following closely behind the launch of the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV, Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that the regular EQS SUV will make its debut in India on September 16. This marks the addition of the EQS SUV as the sixth electric vehicle (EV) in the company’s lineup. It will be positioned between the EQE and the luxury Maybach EQS SUVs.

Exterior Design and Styling

The Mercedes EQS SUV’s exterior design maintains the sleek, smooth lines that are characteristic of Mercedes' EQ models. Prominent features include a black panel grille that seamlessly extends into the lower section of the front bumper, angular LED headlights, and a horizontal LED light bar that runs across the front. These elements contribute to a distinctive family resemblance with other EQ models.

In contrast to the Maybach EQS, the standard EQS SUV forgoes some of the luxury chrome accents and the dual-tone paint scheme. It also does not feature the deep-dish alloy wheels found on the Maybach version. However, Mercedes might offer the EQS SUV with the AMG Line package, which includes sportier front and rear bumpers.

The dimensions of the EQS SUV are as follows: it measures 5,125 mm in length, 1,959 mm in width, and 1,718 mm in height. Compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV, the EQS SUV is 82 mm shorter, 3 mm wider, and 105 mm lower.

Interior Features and Configurations

The EQS SUV is expected to be offered in the 580 4Matic configuration, similar to the EQE SUV in India. This variant will include the Hyperscreen setup as standard, which integrates a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 17.7-inch central infotainment screen, and a 12.3-inch front passenger display into a single expansive surface. Optional features include a head-up display with augmented reality navigation.

While the Maybach EQS offers either a 5- or 4-seater configuration in India, the regular EQS SUV will provide an optional 7-seater variant. However, this option might be less spacious, particularly in terms of legroom and kneeroom for adult passengers.

Powertrain, Specifications, and Range

The EQS SUV is equipped with a 118 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. In the 580 4Matic variant, the vehicle features dual electric motors on each axle, providing all-wheel drive capabilities with a combined output of 544 horsepower and 858 Nm of torque. Mercedes-Benz claims that the EQS SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and achieve a top speed of 210 km/h.

The EQS 580 4Matic boasts a claimed range of 643 km on a single charge. For fast charging, a 200 kW DC charger can recharge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in just 31 minutes. For regular charging, a 7.4 kW AC charger can fully charge the battery from 0 to 100 percent in approximately 18.5 hours.

Competitive Positioning

The Mercedes EQS SUV is poised to compete with flagship EVs from rival brands such as the BMW iX and Audi e-tron SUV. Given that the EQE SUV already contends with these models, the EQS SUV is expected to be positioned above them in terms of features and pricing.