Last year, many traditional car manufacturers jumped on the electric-propulsion bandwagon to compete with the onslaught of Tesla models. However, despite the efforts, these vehicles still couldn’t reach the battery-only range of models from the American manufacturer.
If we can trust Daimler’s boss Ola Källenius, the new EQS luxurious sedan from Mercedes-Benz will be able to travel up to 435 miles (700 km) on a full battery. That’s over 30 miles more than a comparable Tesla Model S, mind you.
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However, you should take the claim with a grain of salt. Ole is probably referring to the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles) test cycle, which proved to be less rigorous than the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) testing used in North America.
Still, even if the EPA range falls to the Model S numbers, that would be an astonishing feat for Mercedes-Benz. Moreover, the EQS will be a vehicle based on the S-Class, which is often regarded as one of the best-engineered cars on the road, and one with far more luxurious interior than the Tesla.
To achieve those stunning numbers, Mercedes-Benz will equip the posh EQS with a 100 kWh li-ion battery, as previewed by the 2019 Vision EQS concept. The battery in the concept can charge from 0-80% in only 20 minutes when using a 350-kW fast charger. For a reference, a Tesla Supercharger maxes out at 250 kW.
The large sedan will also have two electric motors, one at each axle. In the concept, the motors have 469 horsepower and 560 pound-feet (760 Nm) of torque. That’s enough for a brisk 0-60 mph time of fewer than 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h).
Mercedes-Benz will introduce the EQS by the end of this year, but the first models will probably be delivered in the second quarter of 2021. The EQS won’t be a replacement for the S-Class sedan, which utilizes hybrid technology.
