Cars/ First-drive/ Charge into the Future | Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+

Charge into the Future | Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+

A thrustful-seat ploughing launch off the line to a 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds (with 80% battery charge) and the augmented space-age sounds as the speeds build makes one heady combination.

For

Cabin design, Exceptionally long-range, Futuristic looks, Augmented sounds

Against

Massive screens can be distracting, Expensive

Driving

What is it like to drive?

This is a performance battery-electric sedan, producing 761hp with the AMG Dynamic PLUS package and 1020Nm of torque by two permanent-synchronous electric motors, that purrs voraciously fast. A thrustful-seat ploughing launch off the line to a 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds (with 80% battery charge) and the augmented space-age sounds as the speeds build makes one heady combination.

Factor in a 107.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a 2,600+ kg weight, and suddenly it’s almost crazy to say the EQS 53 is lightning fast with only a Taycan coming close. It’s sportier, so more firmly suspended, but the damping is still good, on smooth roads it’s placid and calm. The 21-inch wheels and 275-width EV custom-made tyres don’t have the sidewall necessary to soak up punishment on our bombed rain roads. It feels slightly unsettled, which makes you aware of how much mass it’s trying to keep under control.

Steering and chassis are harmonious and fairly engaging. 4Matic+ allows 100% of the power to be sent to the rear wheels, which does help to put all that monstrous torque on the tarmac without losing control. Overall, EQS 53 not as low, tight and agile as a Taycan but a more comfortable and limo-oriented option to anything else available. With up to 589km of range on a single charge, the EQS 53 bests the Taycan, and almost comes close to the BMW i4 electric. It has one of the highest capacity batteries on offer, and if you can find a 200kW charging station, a 20-80% juice up will just take 19 minutes. A 22kw wall box charger will be provided as part of the standard package.



TopGear Magazine February 2024