Mercedes-AMG has revealed its first electric vehicle in a decade – and it’s the brand’s most powerful and quickest yet.
Purveyor of large-displacement V8 engines and rear-wheel-drive showmanship Mercedes-AMG has unveiled its first mass-produced electric vehicle (EV), the new 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS53 4Matic+.
It’s not the German performance division’s first electric car, with that title nabbed by the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive supercar of 2013. But the EQS53 4Matic+ is Mercedes-AMG’s most powerful, longest-range, most practical and most advanced EV – and it’s due in Australian showrooms in the first half of 2022.
Power comes from two electric motors split across the axles, paired to a 107.8kWh battery for combined outputs of 484kW and 950Nm – 14kW/50Nm up over the brand’s most powerful non-hybrid V8 sedan, the AMG GT63 S 4-Door.
However, specifying the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package unlocks ‘boost’ outputs of 560kW and 1020Nm in Race Start launch control mode – outgunning the overboost outputs of the Porsche Taycan Turbo, and matching the full-bore Turbo S. It’s also just 8kW ahead of AMG’s first electric vehicle, the SLS Electric Drive.
With the Dynamic Plus pack equipped, and more than 80 per cent of the battery remaining, Mercedes-AMG claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.4 seconds, towards a top speed of 250km/h – two tenths down on its Taycan Turbo competition, and the Tesla Model S Long Range, but 0.9 seconds quicker than the Benz-badged EQS580 4Matic.
In standard guise, the EQS53 covers the 0-100km/h dash in 3.8 seconds, with a limited top speed of 220km/h. That’s on par with the less powerful Porsche Taycan 4S – likely a consequence of the AMG EQS’s hefty 2655kg kerb weight, equating to nearly 1100kg heavier than AMG’s cheapest model, the A35 hot hatch.
Driving range according to Europe’s WLTP test cycle is rated at between 526km and 580km – with a claimed energy consumption rating of 21.5-23.9kWh/100km, thanks to a 0.23 drag coefficient.
DC fast charging at up to 200kW is standard, allowing 300km of range to be added to the battery in 15 minutes. 22kW AC charging on a home wallbox is also supported, as is a regenerative braking system capable of recovering up to 300kW under deceleration, and able to be varied through three modes.
Under the skin, the dual electric motors enable “fully-variable” all-wheel drive, capable of varying the torque split across the axles up to 10,000 times per minute, or altering its behaviour between drive modes.
Dual-valve ‘AMG Ride Control+’ adaptive air suspension is standard-fit, bolted to a choice of 21- or 22-inch alloy wheels available in ‘Aero’ or ‘Heritage’ designs. Rear-wheel steering is also standard, with up to 9.0 degrees of rotation to turn the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the front wheels below 60km/h, and in the same direction above 60km/h.
Hiding behind the alloys are 415mm front and 378mm rear compound brakes, with six-piston front and single-piston rear calipers – though carbon-ceramic brakes can be optioned, featuring enlarged 440mm discs. A new ‘i-Booster’ system claimed to “[combine] electric recuperation with the hydraulic brake in a highly efficient manner.”
Five drive modes are available to choose from, under the ‘AMG Dynamic Select’ banner: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.
Similar to AMG’s combustion-engined models, the drive modes alter powertrain behaviour, suspension firmness, steering weight, the stability control system, and – unique to the EQS’ electric powertrain – unlock the maximum 560kW/1020Nm ‘boost’ outputs, activated in Sport+ mode or during a “kick-down” overtaking manoeuvre.
Also controlled via the drive modes is a feature known as ‘AMG Sound Experience’, which uses the car’s speakers,, shakers and a special sound generator to transfer the “vehicle sound [that] has always been an important part of the hallmark AMG driving experience” into the silent electric era.
Available in ‘Authentic’ or ‘Performance’ modes – along with a further three settings (Balanced, Sport and Powerful) for the volume of the sounds – the AMG Sound Experience system won’t replicate like the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 of Mercedes-AMG’s current cars, but is claimed to “[bring] a new, powerfully sonorous sound to electric driving”.
On the styling front, the Mercedes-AMG EQS53 differentiates itself from regular AMG Line package-equipped versions of the EQS through a revised front end with a new front grille featuring decal versions of AMG’s signature Panamericana vertical grille bars, a subtle lower front splitter, aero ‘flics’ on the edges of the bumper, and AMG-specific black side skirts.
There’s also a new rear diffuser, larger black rear lip spoiler, the aforementioned alloy wheel designs, and ‘AMG’ and ‘EQS 53’ badging.
Inside, the regular EQS limo’s full-width MBUX Hyperscreen dashboard features in the EQS53, gaining AMG-specific instrument, infotainment and head-up display views, a shortcut to the drive mode menu and, if the option box is ticked, the AMG Track Pace app that allows drivers to record over 80 different metrics when on the racetrack, including lap times.
Front occupants sit in AMG sports seats trimmed in Artico artificial leather and Microcut microfibre upholstery (with red contrast stitching), with nappa leather available as an option.
Other highlights include artificial leather and black microfibre wrapping for various interior surfaces, an AMG Performance nappa leather steering wheel with rotary drive mode dials, sports pedals, AMG-branded floor mats, and illuminated door sills.
Optional features inside and out in Europe include the AMG Night Package Dark Chrome, carbon-fibre trim, red brake calipers, and unique seat graphics, plus the aforementioned carbon-ceramic brakes and 21- or 22-inch alloy wheel designs.
European buyers will also have access to one free year of unlimited fast charging on Europe’s Ionity network, as part of the 200,000-strong Mercedes Me Charge AC and DC charging network (as part of 500,000 points globally).
The 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS53 4Matic+ will arrive in Australian showrooms in the first half of 2022. Local pricing and specifications will be announced closer to launch.
The post 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS53 revealed, confirmed for Australia appeared first on Drive.
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