Author: Twin-turboed Little Fatty

Still echoing the old saying, “the electrification of automobiles is just a turning point in energy evolution.” Indeed, in my opinion, the current global trend of vehicle electrification is merely an “alternative” in the process of converting from traditional fossil fuels to cleaner energy.

Yet, precisely this so-called “alternative” is capable of widening the gap between automakers more and more.

In July of this year, Mercedes-Benz officially released their 2030 electrification transformation strategy. At that time, I interpreted the “nine-year pledge” that Mercedes-Benz made through an article titled “Have Traditional Giants Started Electrification Transformation, Is the Future Fast Approaching?”

In less than two months, Mercedes-Benz brought us a “pure electric four-shot” at this year’s Munich Auto Show.

Mercedes-Benz EQE

The Mercedes-Benz EQE is the second model based on the EVA pure electric platform after the EQS and is planned to be officially launched in 2022. Mercedes-Benz also specifically mentioned that the global model will be produced in the Bremen factory in Germany, while the Chinese version will be produced domestically by Beijing Benz.

It seems that Mercedes-Benz has high hopes for the domestic sales of the EQE, as it may be the only model in the current Mercedes-Benz EQ family that can “achieve volume” in China.

So, let’s briefly talk about the car…

Like the current Mercedes-Benz S-Class and E-Class, the EQE uses the family-style design of Mercedes-Benz EQ, with a similar appearance to the little EQS.

The body size of the EQE is:

• 4946mm in length, 1961mm in width, and 1512mm in height, slightly larger than the imported standard E-Class;
• 3120mm in wheelbase, 90mm shorter than the EQS.

The short front and rear overhang are a characteristic embodiment of a model built on a pure electric platform, and it is precisely because of this that passenger space in the car is larger than that of the imported standard E-Class (W213).

In the BBA (BMW, Benz and Audi) alliance, when it comes to interior design, we have to mention Mercedes-Benz. The interior design of EQE can be said to be “copied” from EQS, most notably the MBUX Hyperscreen (optional).

In terms of range, EQE will be equipped with a 90.6 kWh NCM811 ternary lithium battery, and the WLTP cruising range will reach 660 km (700 km for CLTC). Currently, the announced EQE models include two power versions: single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor four-wheel drive.

• Maximum power of 215 kW and maximum torque of 530 Nm for rear-wheel drive;
• Comprehensive maximum power of the four-wheel drive system is 500 kW.

In addition, EQE will also provide optional features such as adaptive air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and electric suction door.

After covering the basic information, let’s take a look at the most concerning point if EQE wants to “go big”: the price.

Although it is still one year away from the formal launch of EQE, let’s make a simple analysis.

Currently, the price range of the long-wheelbase GLC produced by Beijing Benz is between 390,000 and 590,000 yuan, and the price range of the long-wheelbase E-class is between 430,000 and 570,000 yuan. Although the long-wheelbase E-class has a higher positioning, the price of the long-wheelbase GLC as an SUV model will also be higher than that of the same level sedan. Therefore, we can see that there is a large overlap in the price range of the two cars.

Looking at the EQC model produced by Beijing Benz, the current price range is between 500,000 and 580,000 yuan. Therefore, I speculate that the domestic price of EQE after production will overlap with that of the EQC model to a large extent. Moreover, the top-equipped model of EQE with higher configuration may be slightly higher than EQC in price.

In addition, considering the optional configuration, the most attractive MBUX Hyperscreen on EQS has an optional price equivalent to about 65,000 yuan in RMB, and the domestic optional price may approach 100,000 yuan. Even if it is put on EQE, I don’t think the price will be low…

P.S. The above speculation does not include terminal discounts.

Finally, I would like to say, I hope the domestic EQE will prove me wrong and exceed my speculations. Otherwise, it will be difficult to “go big”…## Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+

The waterfall-style grille, diffuser, night package, Nappa leather high-performance seats, red stitching with carbon fiber trim and other design elements of the car tell you through many details: it is an AMG.

As the first pure electric model of the Mercedes-AMG brand, the power cannot be compromised.

The electric motor of the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ has a maximum power of 560 kW, a maximum torque of 1020 N·m, and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of only 3.4 seconds. Equipped with a 107.8 kWh battery pack, the vehicle’s kerb weight exceeds 2.6 tons, and the range under WLTP conditions is 580 km.

At the same time, this car also features the AMG high-performance all-wheel drive system reinforced version, AMG cooling system, AMG driving control reinforced version (AMG RIDE CONTROL+), and AMG exhaust sound and more.

Good cars come at a high price. However, I always feel that this car, although inheriting the bloodline of Mercedes-AMG, seems to have lost the soul of a “mechanical beast.”

EQG Concept

Speaking of the soul, in addition to Mercedes-AMG, the G-Class is definitely the soul representative of Mercedes-Benz. Now, it has also ushered in its own era of electrification, and the EQG Concept car made its official debut at this Munich Motor Show.

As a “plugged-in” G-Class car, the EQG concept car still adopts a trapezoidal frame, four-wheel independent suspension, a 4×4 all-wheel drive system consisting of four independent controllable electric motors, and a two-speed gearbox. Toughness is an indelible hallmark of the G-Class car.

P.S. Although there aren’t many people who go off-road with a big G.

So, I’m not sure how many people are like me, when I heard about the “plug-in” big G, it was like hearing that the Porsche 911 has also entered electrification. They are the soul, classics, and heritage of their respective brands, and in the near future, they will also usher in a “new starting point”.

Mercedes-Maybach EQS Concept Car

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS concept car continues the unique features of the Maybach brand from the inside out, including chrome trim strips throughout the body, two-tone body, front and rear executive seats, and rear legroom expansion components.

As a pure electric vehicle, the body proportions have been optimized aerodynamically and adopts the EQ family design language.

Based on the concept car as a template, EQS pure electric SUV and Maybach EQS SUV will be launched in the future. Among them, EQS pure electric SUV will be mass-produced in 2022. The cruising range of the EQS SUV pure electric architecture reaches 600 km under WLTP conditions.

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It seems that Mercedes-Maybach is “exceptionally optimistic” about the Chinese automotive market, which accounts for more than 30% of Mercedes-Benz’s annual sales.

Finally

Electrification has made Mercedes-Benz, a traditional giant, begin to feel “headache”. They are constantly accelerating their electrification transformation strategy and launching new models.

Nowadays, the era of most independent brands “switching from oil to electricity” has passed, and more and more pure electric platform-based models are emerging. Although Mercedes-Benz is also developing a pure electric platform, more and more models are based on pure electric platforms. However, if we carefully observe the pure electric models released by Mercedes-Benz, their birth is more like “passing on” gasoline models in the era of electrification.

The fact is that Mercedes-Benz does have the strong ability to create excellent products, but as a global brand, it is difficult to develop, design, and produce exclusive models for the Chinese market. This is precisely the advantage of independent brands.

Finally, I will share a paragraph I saw on WeChat Moments: Mercedes-Benz still needs a considerable amount of exploration in the electrification era, and even needs to be humiliated by reality before it can find a transformation path suitable for this “century-old store”.
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This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.