Mercedes Benz brings its first all-electric performance car to India - AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+

Electric mobility has gained serious momentum in the last few months in India, especially in the two-wheeler segment. While there aren’t many options for battery-powered vehicles in the mass-market passenger vehicle segment, customers can choose from quite a few in the luxury space.

The latest to join this list is AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ from Mercedes Benz. This is the second fully-electric model to hit the Indian market after the EQC SUV. Moreover, it is the German marque’s first battery-powered vehicle to be rolled out in the country by its performance division– AMG.

AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is based on the fully electric derivative of the S-Class, the EQS 580, scheduled to be launched in the upcoming festive season later this year. The performance car comes at a hefty price of Rs 2.45 crore (ex-showroom) since the company is bringing it as a fully imported model via the CBU (Completely Built Unit) route.

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Elegant exterior styling

Although the exterior resembles its IC engine-powered sibling, the car has its own set of styling elements that provides the battery-powered luxury saloon with a distinct identity. 

While the sleek coupe-like silhouette is similar to the new generation S-Class, the AMG EQS 53 gets a completely revamped front face comprising an AMG-specific gloss black panel grille with vertical struts in chrome and integrated “AMG" lettering.

The sealed-off panel flaunts Mercedes’ large three-pointed star logo, synonymous with all AMG models. The body-coloured front bumper houses a sleek air dam flanked by large air splitters on both sides. The electric sedan features digital LED headlights with integrated LED DRLs. 

While the side profile is largely familiar, it rolls on 21/ 22-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in Aero or Heritage design. At the rear, the brake lights form a curved 3D helix lending it a contemporary EV styling. 

With a bigger body-coloured rear spoiler, flush-fitting door handles, a reworked rear diffuser with six longitudinal fins and larger side air intakes, the new AMG EQS 53 is almost as aerodynamically efficient as the standard EQS with a drag coefficient of only 0.23. 

Customers can choose from as many as six exterior shades including Nautic Blue Metallic, Graphite Grey Metallic, Obsidian Black Metallic, Designo Selenite Grey Magno, Designo Hyacinth Red Metallic, and Designo Diamond White Bright.

In terms of dimensions, AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ measures 5,223mm in length, 1,926mm in width, and 1,515mm in height, while it offers a wheelbase of 3,210mm.

Racy interiors

Step inside the cabin of AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ and the electric sedan will treat you with sporty AMG-specific attributes, backed by a futuristic layout of the all-electric EQ range. These include special seat upholstery in Artico man-made leather with Microcut microfibre and red contrasting topstitching with AMG graphics. 

Alternatively, buyers can also opt for an optional seat upholstery in Nappa leather, with AMG-specific graphics. It also benefits from a carbon fibre trim and an Alcantara finish on the door pads and steering wheel.

Features loaded to the gills

Features have always been the German carmaker’s strong forte and it stays the same with this latest flagship model. The most prominent of those is a 56-inch MBUX Hyperscreen which integrates three separate OLED displays into a single unit. The latest MUX system is powered by 8 CPU cores with 24 GB of RAM. Haptic feedback is offered by 12 actuators hidden underneath the 17.7-inch centre touchscreen.

Other bells and whistles offered in the package include a dual-pane moonroof, active ambient lighting, individual infotainment screens for rear passengers, a tablet in the rear armrest, a 15-speaker Burmester sound system, a 64-colour ambient lighting, biometric authentication (fingerprint, face, or voice), Head-Up Display, ventilated and massaging seats and much more. 

The AMG EQS 53 is also loaded with plenty of safety tech, including features like Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC, a 360-degree parking camera, nine airbags, and active safety features under ADAS (Advanced Driver’s Assistance System).

Exemplary performance with high range

Powering the AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ are two motors that derive energy from a 400V, 107.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which can be charged with fast chargers up to a capacity of 200 kW. Mercedes claims a range of 526-580 km on a single charge for the EQS 53. Besides, the electric car promises exemplary performance too.

The India-spec model is available with the Dynamic Plus package as standard which returns a maximum output of 762 hp and 1020 Nm of torque. The sprint from 0 to 100 kmph is achieved in 3.4 seconds while the car can clock at a top speed of 250 kmph.

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As the name suggests, EQS 53 4MATIC+ sends power to all its four wheels thus offering excellent traction on roads. Further adding spice to the driving experience are the four AMG Dynamic Select driving modes- Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.

Not just the powertrain but the dynamics of the car are also altered in the Dynamic Plus package thanks to AMG’s Ride Control+ air suspension, which works in conjunction with electronically controlled active dampers and rear-axle steering.

(Image and video courtesy Mercedes-AMG.)