The Mercedes-Benz EQS electric liftback has received a face transplant, with a new mug that looks a lot like that of the S-Class.
The update also brings improvements to range and standard equipment.
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the related EQE, EQE SUV and EQS SUV, with which the EQS shares its Electric Vehicle Architecture, will receive many of the same updates.
We’ve contacted Mercedes-Benz Australia to confirm when the refreshed EQS is coming Down Under. It’s available to order in Europe from April 25, and prices will remain unchanged there.
Mercedes-Benz says it has responded to market and customer feedback with the range of EQS updates.
First, that face: it apes the traditional grille of the S-Class, with a single vertical chrome strip plus a few horizontal ones.
It’s still closed-off, given this is an electric car, but the EQS now looks more like a combustion-powered vehicle.
A stand-up bonnet ornament also features up front, and the new face also features on models with the AMG styling package.
There aren’t any other visible changes to the EQS’ exterior, and Mercedes-Benz hasn’t released any images of the high-performance Mercedes-AMG EQS 53; AMG models always have their own unique grille.
The EQS upgrades from a 108.4kWh battery to a 118kWh one, which has seen the range of the EQS 450 increase by more than 11 per cent, from 717km to 799km on the WLTP cycle.
The EQS 450+ has a claimed range of between 683km and 822km.
Mercedes-Benz says it has increased the towing capacity of all-wheel drive EQS models from 750kg to 1700kg.
A heat pump is now standard, which takes waste heat from the inverter, electric motor and battery and uses it to heat the interior, thereby allowing you to rely less on energy-intensive climate control and get more range out of the car.
The recuperation level has been increased, and Mercedes-Benz says it has employed a modified brake force cylinder to give the EQS better brake pedal feel.
The company also says that, given how the EQS’ brake discs are used less often than in combustion vehicles due to the use of recuperation, it plans to introduce a “special function” that will apply the pads to the discs from time to time to maintain the brake system.
Inside, the MBUX Hyperscreen is now standard fitment. This features three separate displays under one gently curved piece of glass, and measures over 141cm wide.
The air vents in the B-pillars have a new galvanised chrome frame, and an additional cushion in the rear has piping made of Nappa leather.
Models with the Rear Comfort Package Plus have a new slanted footrest on the right side in the rear compartment, allowing a passenger to more comfortably stretch out.
With this package, the front passenger seat can be folded forward and the backrest in the rear can be adjusted by up to 38 degrees.
Even with the standard rear-seat configuration, there have been changes made. The backrest can be adjusted from 27 to 36 degrees, and there’s 5mm more foam in the backrest.
Mercedes-Benz has upgraded the EQS’ Level 2 autonomous driving technology, and automatic lane changing is now supported on motorways with two structurally separate lanes, provided the speed limit is no higher than 140km/h.
In 2023, Mercedes-Benz Australia sold 67 EQS liftbacks against 108 S-Class sedans.
In contrast, the smaller EQE racked up 437 sales, managing to beat its combustion-powered E-Class counterpart (421 sales).
Outgoing EQS
