2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS Luxury EV to Get Up to 516 HP, Ultra-Quick Charging

Mercedes-EQ, the all-electric sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz, has taken the next step in its slow-walk reveal of the EQS flagship sedan, dropping a number of key specs for EV fans to salivate over. The 2022 Mercedes EQS is predicted to travel up to 478 miles on a charge based on the generous WLTP test cycle, hit 62 mph from a stop in as little as 4.3 seconds, and gain up to 186 miles of range in 15 minutes on a 200 kilowatt DC Fast charger. These are just a few of the EQS details Benz has revealed ahead of the luxury sedan’s full unveiling later this month—read on for the rest:

Home on the (Big) Range

The headline news is the 478-mile range estimate, but don’t hand over the crown just yet. This figure comes from the more generous WLTP test cycle used in other parts of the world. The EPA test cycle is significantly less generous, so the official estimated range in the U.S. will be shorter. Whether or not the EQS will outlast the updated Tesla Model S, which claims up to 380 miles of range in the U.S., remains to be seen, but the EQS is the current WLTP champ.

Making the big range possible is an optional 108-kWh battery, slightly larger than Tesla’s largest 100-kWh battery. If range isn’t your be-all, end-all priority, a 90-kWh battery will be standard at launch with a somewhat shorter range.

Also serving the range game? Ultra-low drag bodywork, which carries a claimed drag coefficient of 0.20, which Mercedes is touting as the best in the world. (Hey, when every electron counts, it helps when the vehicle they’re powering slips more easily through the air.) The EQS’s drag figure certainly is better than the claimed 0.21 Cd of the Lucid Air, but may or may not be better than the 0.208 Tesla claims for the updated Model S. Mercedes-EQ is at least more forthcoming than the others about which model of EQS can hit that number, and it requires the 19-inch AMG wheel option. If you must have big wheels, there are aerodynamic wheel options in 20 inches and 21 inches as well, plus a who-cares-about-the-wind 22-inch option.

Oh, and Big Power, Too

Motivation for splitting the wind comes from a standard rear electric motor and optional 4Matic-branded all-wheel drive system—which merely adds a front electric motor. Output ranges from 329 hp to 516 hp, and we assume those numbers correlate with rear-drive and all-wheel drive, respectively, but Mercedes-EQ does not specify. Similarly, the company also promises “at least” 406 lb-ft of torque, but gives no further details about which motor combination that applies to.

In the same vein, Mercedes-EQ predicts a zero-to-62 mph time in as little as 4.3 seconds, presumably with all-wheel drive and the larger battery. This is significantly slower than the quickest Model S, though we’re told to expect a higher-performance AMG EQS in the future. Top speed is limited to 130 mph, and given Benz’s German roots, the sedan is likely to maintain a reasonable driving range at high speeds.

The EQS charges fast, too. Able to take a 200-kW charge from a DC Fast charger, the EQS can gain 186 miles of range in just 15 minutes. A Model S can charge at up to 250 kW. Mercedes-EQ hasn’t released any other charge time details except to say the car can be equipped with an optional 9.6-kW onboard charger to make the most of your home charger.

Public charging will be made easy by the Plug & Charge system, which is compatible with 90 percent of U.S. public charging networks. This software allows you to simply plug in and walk away without having to worry about memberships or credit card readers. All billing will be handled automatically with a credit card on file. Getting to the chargers will be handled by an onboard navigation system that considers everything from real-time traffic to topography, weather, and driving style when planning and adjusting your route.

EVs also gain some charging during coasting and braking, and the EQS claims to be the champ here, too. Able to regeneratively brake at up to 290 kw with all-wheel drive—using the electric motors as generators, and the effort of turning them to slow the vehicle—it handily beats the 265-kw record held by the Porsche Taycan Turbo S. Rear-drive models recover significantly less to prevent lockup of the rear wheels.

Where All That Energy is Stored

The battery handling all this electricity is an in-house development and product. Mercedes-EQ claims an unspecified breakthrough in energy density on their proprietary battery compared to previous models. It boasts significantly less rare-earth metals and designed for easy recyclability. The company claims production is carbon-neutral across the board, even for the suppliers that build parts for the battery. The 400-volt architecture is liquid-cooled through special cavities cast into the extruded aluminum battery housing and automatically pre-heats or cools as needed to speed charging. The battery management software can be updated over the air to potentially improve range, performance, and longevity over time. Mercedes-EQ is also promising a 10-year, 155,000-mile battery warranty that covers lost battery capacity (no further details provided).

The battery powers one or two AC synchronous motors. When equipped with two motors for all-wheel drive capability, Mercedes-EQ claims the system senses torque 166 times per second in order to react immediately if any wheel loses traction.

Mercedes-EQ also revealed some expected details about the chassis, confirming the car will ride on an air suspension without the heavy but capable E-Active Body Control system. The EQS will also feature rear-wheel steering standard to improve both its handling and its turning circle, which the brand claims is as little as 35.8 feet, nearly five feet tighter than an conventional S-Class full-size sedan.

Remaining details about the EQS should be revealed on April 15 when the production car is finally unveiled (at least beyond these specs and the earlier debut of its screen-tastic interior), though some U.S.-specific details may not be released until closer to the launch date this fall.

The post 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS Luxury EV to Get Up to 516 HP, Ultra-Quick Charging appeared first on MotorTrend.