Author: Wang Xuan
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Prior to the Chengdu Auto Show, Mercedes-EQ announced the official pricing for the new EQE.
The new EQE will have three models initially released: the 350 basic version, the 350 luxury version, and the 350 pioneer version, with a maximum power output of up to 215 kW and an acceleration of 0-100 kilometers per hour in just 6.7 seconds. Later, the EQE 500 4MATIC, with a maximum power output of 300 kW, will be released.
The new EQE is produced in two factories in the global manufacturing network of Mercedes-Benz: the Bremen factory and the Beijing Benz factory.
## The Inventor of the Automobile Reintroducing Cars to the World through Electrification
The new EQE is the first domestically produced electric vehicle model based on EVA electric platform to be developed by Mercedes-EQ.
With a length, width, and height of 4,946/1,906/1,514 millimeters and a wheelbase of up to 3,120 millimeters, the internal space of the new EQE far exceeds that of the standard-wheelbase E-Class sedan, with an increase of 27 millimeters in shoulder room and 80 millimeters in internal length.
In terms of appearance, the new EQE is almost identical to the EQS, with its "bow-shaped" body style and seamless integration of the front compartment, rear cabin, and passenger compartment.
Thanks to the advantages of electrification, the interior space of the car has been maximized while obtaining a lower drag coefficient. The EQS has the lowest drag coefficient among mass-produced vehicles, at just 0.2Cd, while the new EQE has a drag coefficient of 0.22Cd. However, in terms of design, it is certainly challenging to the user's aesthetic standards, and since the debut of the EQS, criticisms of its looks have been widespread.
Many people complain that traditional luxury brands “are too big to change” and lack courage when facing changes and innovations. In fact, it is the new forces in the automotive industry that lack the courage, as design is the most powerful proof. It is easy to see that new companies like to follow without much innovation or experimentation with consumers when it comes to creating car body shapes.
Although this approach can ensure that the appearance remains relatively “online”, the products created under this logic lack further thinking on electrification. After all, for new car companies that have just arrived, “surviving” is the top priority, and any risky challenge before this will be viewed as dancing on a wire.
So without the confidence to face challenges, how can one have the courage to face change? In other words, because changes in shape bring aesthetic challenges, EQS and the brand-new EQE should be the ideal representation of a car in the era of electrification.
The curved body shape brings lower wind resistance, while the 96.1 kWh battery enables the reliable range of up to 752 km under CLTC conditions. The innovative battery management software independently developed can be updated through OTA remote upgrading and keep the energy management system of the brand-new EQE continuously updated throughout its life cycle.
Electric products, constant luxury
Compared with all competitors, Mercedes-Benz’s core advantage lies in brand value.
Brand value is not just an emotional state of “buying a product with a Mercedes-Benz logo.” It is a way to let consumers understand that by purchasing this brand’s products, they will get the expected experience.
We always say “driving BMW, sitting in a Mercedes-Benz.” The product features that a brand has accumulated over a long period are created by car companies’ focus on specific areas. They cannot be surpasses in a short period by building cars based on supply chain systems. The quality of traditional cars often lies in the details, which are challenging to see in accounting numbers. With brand value, they will enter more people’s shopping lists.
The brand-new EQE adopts the four-link front suspension + multi-link rear suspension chassis architecture. Equipped with rear-wheel steering function EQE, like a compact car, is flexible. The rear wheel steering angle is as high as 10 degrees, which reduces the turning diameter from 12.5 meters to less than 10.7 meters. Compare this to Model 3 by Tesla, which has a turning radius of 11.7 meters, while its wheelbase is nearly 300mm shorter than that of the brand-new EQE.The all-new EQE features rich intelligent configurations and humanized technologies, equipped with a 12.8-inch central control screen and a 12.3-inch instrument screen, as well as the latest generation MBUX intelligent human-machine interaction system, which integrates custom navigation by Gaode with “zero-level interface”. The upgraded “mind-reading voice assistant” and “mind-reading induction assistant” can recognize 27 languages. The future EQE 500 model will also offer the option of MBUX Hyperscreen.
In terms of intelligent driving, the all-new EQE is equipped with 1 millimeter-wave radar, 4 corner radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, 1 front double-eye high-definition camera, 4 360-degree parking cameras and other sensing hardware. It supports L2 level assisted driving functions.
Mercedes-Benz EQE has added 10 exclusive upgraded configurations for the Chinese market demand, including the gentleman function in the rear, the rear center armrest derived from EQS, wireless charging design in the front row, the rear sunshade adjustment button, comfortable rear headrests, self-portrait cameras, rear soft package door panels, front seat back chrome-plated trims, 4-zone automatic air conditioning with air index display (provided by future models on the market) and rear illuminated welcome pedals.
The rear seat of the EQE, optimized for the Chinese market, creates a more comfortable riding experience. The standard front silent glass and the entire vehicle sound package further enhance the quietness of the whole car.
EQE is just the beginning. We believe that the all-new EQE will change the image of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles in the minds of consumers. Prior to this, EQC, which tasted the flavor of electric vehicles for the first time, was often criticized for its endurance ability; EQA and EQB, which followed, faded out of the mainstream consumer market due to too many substitutes; now, it seems that the benchmark-level EQS is still a pioneer product serving a few people.
Consumers’ recognition of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles is disjointed from its traditional fuel vehicles. Mercedes-Benz is the king in the field of fuel vehicles, which is beyond doubt. However, whether everyone acknowledges its electrified products is a question, which is proved by a product after product.
In other words, EQE is the beginning of Mercedes-Benz electrification.
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.