Mercedes-Benz EQE, The All-Electric E-Class Equivalent, Breaks Cover At Munich

• The EQE 350 trim utilizes a rear-mounted electric motor delivering 292PS. All-wheel drive option will be introduced later.

• Boasts a WLTP-claimed 660km of range thanks to a 90.6kWh battery pack, and supports up to 170kW of fast charging.

• Based on the same EVA2 platform as the EQS, it sports a largely similar clean design philosophy.

• Gets the same 55-inch MBUX Hyperscreen dashboard setup as the EQS.

• Will be produced at the carmaker’s Bremen plant in Germany.

The 2021 Munich Motor Show has seen Mercedes-Benz unleash an onslaught of electric models, with the latest one to join the EQ moniker being the EQE electric sedan. Essentially an all-electric iteration of the E-Class, the EQE slots below its larger sibling, the EQS. 

Since the EQE is based on the same EVA2 platform as the EQS, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the electric sedan gets a similar 'one-bow', cab-forward design philosophy. It is shorter than its larger sibling, measuring 4946mm long, 1961mm wide, 1512mm tall and has a wheelbase spanning 3120mm. In fact, the EQE's wheelbase is even longer than the E-Class LWB that we have in India. The EQE also gets some distinctions over the EQS, like the larger front grille, sharper headlights, and different 19-21-inch alloy wheel designs.

Let’s get to the heart of the matter, that is under the bonnet. The carmaker has revealed the 350 trim which incorporates a rear-wheel-drive electric motor that pushes 292PS of grunt and 530Nm of twist, with a 90.5 kWH battery pack giving it juice. There will also be an all-wheel drive option introduced later, utilising an additional electric motor mounted on the front axle. 

While Mercedes hasn’t revealed performance figures, the EQE will have a four-link front suspension and multi-link rear suspension setup, as well as the option of air suspension with adaptive dampers, and rear-wheel steering. As for the range, the EQE can go up to a WLTP-claimed 660km on a single charge. Speaking of charging, it is capable of up to 170kW of charging, with a charge of 10-80 percent being achieved in just 31 minutes via a DC fast charger.  

Heading inside, the similarities between the EQE and EQS continue with an MBUX Hyperscreen dashboard setup. This combines three digital screens -- a 12.3-inch digital driver display, 12.3-inch passenger side touchscreen infotainment, and 17.7-inch central touchscreen infotainment -- spanning a total of 55.5 inches. Other features include augmented reality navigation, four-zone climate control, biometric authentication, automatic doors, an optional Burmester surround sound system as well as heated and ventilated seats.

There’s also a raft of driver assists which include blind-spot monitoring, active lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, high-beam assist, a surround view camera and adaptive cruise control.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE will be produced at the carmaker’s plant in Bremen (Germany). While prices haven’t surfaced, it should be a rival to the likes of the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4.