I used to be blissful to rediscover the Mercedes-AMG EQE throughout a full week in my neck of the woods. I had already driven the car throughout its product launch in France two years in the past, however that was throughout a short, managed occasion by the carmaker.

Back then, I used to be completely blown away by the general expertise and efficiency of the darn factor. I even wrote that the EQE was a swish second opus to the E-Class. In AMG kind, the EQE’s qualities have been cranked as much as 11. And I nonetheless stand by that declare.

But lots has occurred since that occasion. For starters, the AMG EQE is not the recent efficiency electrical midsize sedan from Germany. BMW lately joined the celebration with the very good i5 M60, a automotive I drove final week, really (overview coming quickly), and that utterly altered my notion of the AMG EQE.

Look, I had an absolute blast dwelling with this automotive, I actually did. But I simply could not get that feeling out of my head that it must be higher than this. It had me questioning what the notorious AMG letters are even alleged to imply nowadays.

2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE

While outdated AMGs have been all about fire-breathing V8s and snarling exhausts, the next-generation of electrified efficiency Mercedes autos seduces with blistering acceleration and a singular cabin expertise. In AMG kind, the all-electric EQE pumps out a powerful 617 horsepower and 701 lb-ft of torque, permitting it to dash from 0 to 60 MPH in solely 3.2 seconds.

Engine

Dual Permanently Excited Synchronous AC

Horsepower

617 HP (677 With Boost)

Torque

701 LB-FT (738 LB-FT With Boost)

MSRP

$106,900

Transmission

1-Speed Direct Drive

Driveline

Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive

Model

AMG EQE

MSRP (As Tested)

$113,490

Range

230 Miles

0-60 MPH

3.2 Seconds

Charge Time

Fast Charge: 32 Minutes (10-80%) / Level 2 Home Charging: 10.7 Hours (0-100%)

Pros

• Neck-snapping acceleration.
• Unique cabin expertise and digital sounds.
• Smooth, quiet and cozy journey.

Cons

• The AMG half is not adequate.
• Lacks the dynamic skills of its primary Germain competitor.
• Questionable styling.

2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE First Impressions

The Mercedes EQE is an odd-looking automotive. Designed by Gorden Wagener, this midsize electrical sedan’s bulbuous and curvarious styling is a transparent departure from the normal angular designs the carmaker had gotten us used to previously. It feels just like the EQE was flattened, widened and rounded on the edges by erosion.

The EQE seems to be this manner as a result of it has to. Remember, on this planet of electrical autos (EVs), the decrease a automotive’s drag coefficient (Cd), the extra vary it could put down. The EQE’s Cd is rated at a powerful 0.22, making it some of the aerodynamic sedans presently on sale.

Except, the 2024 Tesla Model 3 boasts a Cd of 0.219, however would not appear to be a squashed fish. It all makes you surprise if Gorden Wagner’s design is really all that purposeful in spite of everything.

That all being mentioned, I discover the EQE neither ugly nor stunning. It actually is dependent upon which angle you are it from. Its entrance fascia, particularly in AMG guise because of a barely extra aggressive entrance bumper and AMG-signature Panamericana grille, give it a imply and purposeful stance. I fairly like that.

But from the aspect profile, it nonetheless jogs my memory of a 2006 Honda Civic sedan. The rear is inoffensive and chic, however a tad too homogeneous for my style. Especially when the automotive is painted black like this tester. I’m a sucker for duckbill spoilers, although, and the AMG EQE’s seems to be good.

Yes, I’m properly conscious that efficiency Benzes are all about discretion, however aside from the AMG badging and model-specific wheels (which look fairly rad), there’s not sufficient taking place right here to actually set this AMG aside from the usual fashions.

2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE: Differences Between The US And Canadian Markets

The primary distinction between the US and Canadian markets is that the EQE comes commonplace with 4MATIC all-wheel drive in Canada, whereas the US market has entry to a rear-wheel drive EQE 350. In AMG kind, each automobiles are technically an identical.

Minor modifications will, nevertheless, apply to the accessible choices and packages. For occasion, whereas each markets provide the AMG Night Package, the US market goes one step additional by complementing it with the AMG Night Package Plus, including a blacked-out grille as properly.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Aufrecht, Melcher, Großaspach (AMG) began off in life as an engineering agency specialised in bettering the efficiency of Mercedes-Benz autos. AMG was before everything a racing engine forge, including efficiency to Mercedes’ present lineup by the use of extra highly effective, race-tuned engines, in addition to efficiency packages that included go-faster parts like exhaust or consumption methods, suspension tuning and even the addition of carbon fiber for decreased weight.

In the electrical age, AMG’s work shouldn’t be as, shall I say, palpable. Mercedes-AMG prides itself on the truth that the 2 electrical motors sitting on every of the EQE’s axles are proprietary to AMG. They’re completely excited synchronous motors programmed for increased rpm – apparently -, whereas the six-phase rear motor permits for much more most horsepower. Both are cooled utilizing an AMG-specific cooling system, designed for tougher abuse.

The whole mixed output of those motors is frankly spectacular; 617 horsepower and 701 lb-ft of torque, or 677 and 738 when you dare to activate the momentary Boost operate. It’ll permit this 5,000-pound sedan to launch out of the opening as much as 60 MPH in 3.2 seconds. Activate Race mode, and the cabin’s ambient lighting modifications to crimson, whereas the audio system emits adrenaline-inducing thumps and spacecraft-mimicking digital shrieks and swirls.

And that is exactly my level. None of what I simply talked about requires a specialised efficiency arm. It’s largely all programming. Yes, a specific amount of chassis, suspension and brake calibration have been required to get this hefty machine to bop the way in which it does on command when pushed on a slippery piece of tarmac. But all of it may be achieved by the carmaker itself.

And though the numbers the AMG EQE places down are spectacular, none of it feels particular sufficient to justify the $106,000 price ticket, particularly when you think about {that a} Tesla Model S Plaid prices $20,000 lower than this ($20,000!), and can actually humiliate this AMG on the racetrack. Out of context, the AMG EQE is quick and enjoyable to drive alright, however whenever you cease to consider what it is up in opposition to, it finally ends up feeling like an EQE Plus, slightly than a real AMG efficiency product.

Performance Specifications

2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE Energy Consumption, Range And Charging

The AMG EQE’s charging charges are neither game-changing nor behind the pack. They’re common, permitting it to drag at a charge of 170 kW on a appropriate fast-charging unit, or about 32 minutes from 10 to 80% cost. On a house, degree 2 charger, Mercedes says the automotive will go from 0 to 100% inside about 10.5 hours at a charge of 9.6 kW. On my 7.5-kWh unit, it took the AMG EQE about 12 hours to refill.

And after I related the EQE to a 100-kW quick public charger on a cool day in late March (41-degree F common), it pulled a constant 70 kW in the course of the half-hour I had it related it there, with solely a slight drop to below 60 kW in the direction of the tip of its cost cycle. This is what I’ve seen with Mercedes EQs over time. They do not cost at tremendously quick speeds, however they’re constant, even within the chilly.

As for vary, I ended my week with a consumption common of 69 MPGe, leading to a projected actual world vary determine of 185 miles, significantly under the EPA’s official numbers. See under for reference.

Interior Design And Comfort

In AMG kind or not, the Mercedes-Benz EQE is a high-quality electrical sedan. That’s actually the place this car justifies its excessive price ticket, because it makes you’re feeling exactly how a Mercedes ought to.

What you may get from the AMG are signature styling parts like crimson stitching and seatbelts, sportier seats and a extra performance-oriented steering wheel with built-in drive mode selectors. That steering wheel is thick and gratifying to seize, which helps intensify the automotive’s efficiency promise. AMG additionally provides some additional model-specific menus and shows, however I’ll get again to all that later.

The sports activities bucket seats are all the time supportive and cozy, even when you’re tall, however the dashboard feels excessive up and in your face when in comparison with the model’s inner combustion choices. The EQE’s cabin is quiet, properly put collectively and supremely snug. In Comfort mode, the automotive rides easily, even when it is fitted with an adjustable sport suspension. There are undesirable cabin rattles, and the complete chassis feels as strong as a rock. In different phrases, the EQE looks like a real Mercedes.

In the rear, the form of the roof does have an effect on headroom, which suggests taller passengers may must slouch. Legroom shouldn’t be a problem, although, even when a tall particular person is sitting up entrance. Installing the infant’s seat did not require me to push the entrance passenger seat ahead, which was nice.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

I already did a full rundown of the EQE’s Hyperscreen setup in the SUV version of this car, so I will not waste an excessive amount of web ink repeating myself. If you learn that overview, all about how impressed I’ve been with Hyperscreen because it was first added to Mercedes’ autos.

Essentially three screens that make up the complete dashboard, Hyperscreen goals at remodeling what is generally annoying and distracting into an immersive and natural expertise. Yes, it is lots to soak up at first, and you will want to spend a while in your automotive alone to actually perceive and tailor it to your liking. Because there’s lots to tailor, as the complete system is 100% customizable.

But when you get your head round it, chances are high you will not need to return to different setups, not to mention even Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. It’s that good.

Behind the shows is Mercedes’ MBUX interface, which strikes shortly and with out lag. It additionally seems to be completely beautiful, regardless of which display screen you are . The navigation map is immersive, detailed and, at occasions, higher than Google Maps. And whereas, sure, some options, like adjusting the display screen’s brightness, for example, do require digging into some menus – which is very irritating – the general expertise is a game-changing affair.

For AMG responsibility, new screens and menus have been added to watch telemetry comparable to acceleration, G forces or the temperature of the electrical motors. Some are extra gimmicky than others, and there is at occasions repetition from one display screen to the subsequent. That had me questioning if the individuals who developed display screen primary even spoke with the parents who labored on display screen quantity two.

The third passenger display screen can mimic the infotainment system, however with extra emphasis on audio, leisure and local weather management settings, or be left there with all however a screensaver. The driver display screen, alternatively, provides strategy to a completely customizable gauge readout. Ambient lighting, in fact, is as much as you to resolve, whereas a easy immediate of the “Hey Mercedes” voice command opens the panoramic roof’s sunshade. As far as know-how goes, the EQE is a extremely spectacular product.

Cargo And Storage Space

Being a sedan, the EQE is not as sensible because the SUV carrying the identical title. But if cargo area is a precedence for you, you then may need to contemplate one thing else on this phase because the EQE’s trunk is small by any commonplace.

For reference, its cargo area is about the identical as a Hyundai IONIQ 6 (11.2 cu-ft), which is already thought-about small for its respective phase. The BMW i5, the EQE’s primary rival, has a significantly bigger trunk (17.3 cu-ft).

How The 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE Compares To Its Competition

There aren’t that many high-performance electrical midsize sedans presently on sale, however the AMG EQE’s rivals pack a critical EV punch. The Tesla Model S is the plain candidate right here, however it is a bit bigger, bordering on full-size dimensions. It’s the identical story for the Lucid Air.

There’s the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan twins, however I personally see them as automobiles which can be in a distinct league as a consequence of their worth and efficiency. They’re largely supercar-rivalling electrical sedans.

Since the EQE is actually an electrical E-Class and since Mercedes’ primary rival has all the time been the BMW 5 Series on this phase, it might due to this fact make sense to contemplate the BMW i5 M60 because the AMG EQE’s most noteworthy competitor. Both automobiles are of comparable dimensions, are offered at related worth factors and provide comparable efficiency.

2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE Versus 2024 BMW i5 M60

Right off the bat, the BMW i5 M60 is extra reasonably priced than the Mercedes with its $84,100 MSRP, nevertheless it’s additionally a tad slower off the road, with a 0 to 60 MPH time of three.7 seconds, versus 3.2 for the AMG.

Related

How The BMW i5 M60 Just Made The BMW M5 Obsolete

Step apart, BMW M5. The 2024 BMW i5 M60 is right here with a wholesome dose of luxuriousness, breathtaking efficiency, and superior know-how.

We’ve already established that the i5 presents extra cargo area, however its rear head (37.7 in.) and legroom (37 in.) are a tad behind the AMG’s. You do get a bit extra vary from the i5 M60 (256 miles). The automotive will even cost at a quicker charge on a appropriate quick charger, as much as 205 kW versus 170. The onboard charger for dwelling degree 2 charger can also be extra highly effective within the BMW; 11 kW versus 9.6.

Get The Regular EQE, Forget The AMG

I’ll be capable to go extra intimately about why the BMW i5 M60 looks like a extra convincing electrical efficiency sedan in my upcoming overview, however from my expertise from driving each automobiles, the AMG EQE merely would not really feel AMG sufficient. It slightly comes by as a quicker EQE with the AMG letters performing extra like an costly advertising bundle.

The EQE stays a incredible electrical luxurious sedan. The downside is that, within the electrical period, efficiency now has an entire new which means. Historically, whenever you purchased a Mercedes-AMG, you knew that when another person pulled up subsequent to you at a stoplight, except it was a supercar, you had them beat. Now, any efficiency Tesla or, much more embarrassingly, a Kia EV6 GT costing tens of hundreds of {dollars} much less will give this factor a run for its cash.

So, when you just like the EQE, persist with the common fashions, as they will actually present every thing a midsize Mercedes is value; a extremely snug journey, a properly put-together cabin and an possession expertise that is onerous to duplicate elsewhere. But when you’re on the lookout for high-performance sedan with a Silver star on the hood, then I recommend you accept one thing gasoline-powered and wait till the parents at AMG determine how you can beat a Tesla on the quarter mile.