Everything We Know About MB’s EV Flagship

Mercedes plans to put six EVs on the market by 2022, and at the forefront of the three-pointed star’s electric vehicle pursuits is the EQS sedan. Unlike the GLC-based Mercedes EQC electric crossover, the EQS is due to ride on a dedicated EV platform, dubbed EVA2. It might be the S-Class of Mercedes EVs, but the EQS won’t share its architecture with the brand’s recently redesigned flagship sedan. Although we’ve yet to hear from the German automaker regarding the production EQS’s specifications, we suspect the big EV will initially debut with all-wheel-drive (one electric motor at each axle) and an approximately 100-kWh battery pack.

Expect the production EQS to draw styling inspiration from its concept counterpart. That said, photos of a camouflaged EQS released by Mercedes, as well as images captured by a MotorTrend staffer (below), hint at a slightly more conservative design for the production EV. A smaller front grille, more raked belt line, and taller rear end make these prototype EQS sedans look a little less imposing than the concept. Likewise, the production EQS concept appears to feature proper B-pillars and side mirrors—items missing from the concept. While we’ve yet to see the production-spec interior, we wager it will mimic the style of its S-Class stablemate’s.

EQS production begins in the first half of 2021 at the Sindelfingen factory in Germany. We expect the EQS sedan to be the first model from the Mercedes EQ sub-brand to reach the United States (the EQC’s arrival has been formally pushed back). While pricing remains under wraps, we anticipate the 2022 Mercedes EQS come to market with a six-figure starting price.