An electrifying mercedes
The all-electric family of Mercedes-Benz has grown. In the wake of the flagship EQS, we now have the EQE sports saloon. Ben Selby reports.
Available as an entry level EQE 300 and mid-range EQE 350 4MATIC, it’s the top spec EQE 53 AMG 4MATIC+, which has grabbed our attention as it’s the first EV offering from those performance boffins of Mercedes-AMG.
That’s right, no mental V8 bellow this time around. Instead, we have dual electric motors driving all four wheels and churning out a stratospheric 460kW and 950Nm of torque. No, that wasn’t a misprint. Zero to 100km/h? Try 3.5 seconds.
This performance does mean the electric range takes a tumble to 500km from the more generous 626km of the EQE 300.
Inside you get the full AMG themed interior with badges, AMG leather climatised seats, nappa leather AMG steering wheel, one of the biggest touchscreen systems ever, including MBUX Navigation, a large OLED screen with fingerprint scanner, head up display and a mighty impressive Burmester® 3D surround sound system.
Starting up the EQE 53 is like something out of Star Trek. Press the console mounted starter button and everything lights up and emits Starship Enterprise-esque
sound effects.
While the EQE is as docile and well behaved at every day driving, opening the taps allows its Jekyll and Hyde persona to become blindingly obvious. Switch over to “warp drive” in the form of Sport Plus which also changes the Sci Fi sound effects to a sound which resembles Optimus Prime gurgling mouthwash. Plant boot and hang on for dear life. The acceleration is so brutal that I even felt slightly ill once reaching 100km/h. The entirety of those 950Nm come in one big lump.
This electric AMG is scary quick off the line. It does feel its weight though, especially in the corners. You have plenty of grip thanks to the 4MATIC AWD system but it feels like it doesn’t enjoy the bends like its petrol counterparts. That said, its rear axle steering means your turning circle is a pretty small one and those carbon ceramic brakes do a fine job of slowing things down.
Also impressive is the level of regenerative braking which you can change via the AMG shift paddles. The heaviest setting really does replace the need of the brake pedal and with enough downhill tarmac, one could charge up most of the battery in quick succession.
Plus, at motorway cruising speeds, it feels planted and solid on the road. Tyre roar is also kept minimal and there is a supple feeling to the AIRMATIC air suspension.
While I do miss the theatre and noise which the V8 AMGs did so darn well, it’s hard to ignore just how flipping fast this thing is. If you can do without the drama, this all-electric AMG could be right up your street.
FACT FILE
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 53 AMG 4MATIC+
Price: $195,000 start
Engine: Dual E-Motor
Transmission: 1-speed automatic
Drivetrain: 4MATIC All wheel drive
Power: 460kW
Torque: 950Nm
Fuel Consumption: 21.8kWh/Og
RANGE: 500km
ZERO TO 100km/h: 3.5 seconds
