First AMG eSUVs break cover

MERCEDES-AMG has presented a dynamic duo of EQE fully electric, high-performance SUVs in AMG43 and AMG53 variants, the latter sporting a kilo Newton (1kN) of torque… available almost instantly.

To gain an appreciation of that, the thrust of a jet aircraft engine is measured in kilo Newtons.

The pair’s international debut marks a milestone in Mercedes AMG’s rapidly moving electrification strategy. All variants of the EQE including the flagship AMG versions will arrive here mid-next- year with the latter priced from around the $160,000 mark.

The EQE is the performance brand’s first all-electric SUV and is a direct competitor for BMW’s iX and Tesla Model X among others.

It is a medium large SUV with a ‘variable’ interior and multi-mode performance-oriented drive experience that is, according to AMG: “The most versatile electric vehicle in the Mercedes-AMG portfolio.”

It offers generous space for passengers and luggage and like the AMG EQS and EQE cars, the AMG EQE SUV is based on Mercedes’ electric EQ platform.

Guaranteeing scintillating performance in both variants are two powerful electric motors and a fully variable all-wheel drive system to form the basis for AMG’s renowned dynamic drive feel. 

Mercedes-AMG has designed many other performance parameters specifically for the AMG EQE.

These include AMG Ride Control+ air suspension with Adaptive Damping System, rear-axle steering and AMG Active Ride Control – an AMG-specific roll stabilisation system.

Added to this are the AMG Sound Experience compensating for no exhaust note and the specific exterior and interior design.

The entry-level AMG EQE43 4Matic has a provisional WLTP combined power consumption of 22.0-25.1kWh per 100km and provisional WLTP CO2 emissions of 0g/km while the numbers for sportier AMG EQE53 4MATIC+ are provisional WLTP combined power consumption of 22.6-27.8kWh/100km and a provisional WLTP CO2 emissions figure of 0g/km.

“The AMG EQE SUV is the third performance model that we have realised as a derivative on the Mercedes-EQ electric platform. With its variable interior and high-performance all-wheel drive, it is Mercedes-AMG's most versatile electric vehicle. A real all-rounder – a real AMG,” said Mercedes-AMG CEO, Philipp Schiemer.

Mr Schiemer’s colleague, Mercedes-AMG chief technical officer, Jochen Hermann, echoed the comments saying the models is a perfect starting point for entry into the electrified AMG range.

“The compact format of the EQE SUV, its short wheelbase and the performance-oriented drive concept form the perfect starting point for realising an agile, highly emotional and luxurious driving experience with our AMG-specific solutions,” he said.

“This particularly applies to the drive system, suspension, brakes and sound. It ensures that our customers can look forward to the Driving Performance that is a hallmark of our brand/”

The exterior design is characterised by generously modelled surfaces, reduced joints and seamless transitions. Dynamic proportions emphasise the sporty character. At the front-end we find AMG-specific badge and a front apron painted in the body colour with A-wing in high-gloss black and a chrome trim.

The same look characterises the front splitter in high-gloss black with chrome trim and flics and fins on the simulated air inlets. Air diffusers in high-gloss black on the left and right allow an air curtain effect which guides air around the front wheels in a streamlined manner. The standard digital light headlamps feature a specific AMG projection when opening and closing the vehicle.

In profile there are AMG-specific wheel arch claddings in body colour and integrated, fully recessed door handles adding visual accents. Contributing further are aerodynamically optimised 21- or 22-inch AMG light-alloy wheels.

The rear apron in the body colour with aerodynamically optimised diffuser and longitudinal fins as well as the tail lights in a helix design round off the dynamic appearance.

The cabin of the duo is dominated by AMG features with a sporty ambience including seats with individual graphics and special seat covers in Artico man-made leather with Micro-cut micro-fibre and red topstitching. Nappa leather is optionally available…with AMG-specific seat graphics.

An array of AMG badges and emblems dot the interior.

The interior is topped off with an AMG Performance D-cut steering wheel in Nappa leather with perforated grips and silver-coloured aluminium paddles.

Down below are AMG sports pedals, floor mats and door sill panels with AMG lettering.

MBUX system offers a range of additional AMG functions that emphasise the performance character. This is particularly true of the distinctive displays in the instrument cluster, as well as the multimedia display and the head-up display. Quick access to the AMG Dynamic Select drive programs is provided by a direct-entry button in the centre console.

The Dolby Atmos sound format takes the audio experience in the AMG EQE SUV to a new level. With the premium digital entertainment platform from Californian specialist ZYNC integrated into a vehicle for the first time, customers enjoy a seamless digital entertainment experience.

Through ZYNC, customers gain access to a wide range of renowned global and local streaming services. 

Both AMG EQE SUV models offer a performance-oriented drive experience with two electric motors. The powerful electric powertrain (eATS) with a motor at the front and rear axle also offers fully variable all-wheel drive, which optimally transmits the drive power to the road in all driving conditions.

The power spectrum ranges from 350kW in the EQE43 to 505kW in the EQE53 with optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package with Boost function. The maximum torque ranges from 858Nm to 1000Nm.

The AMG-specific electric motors at the front and rear axles are permanently excited synchronous motors (PSM). The decided emphasis on performance is already evident in the output and torque values. 

In addition, the electric motors are characterised by an optimal balance of power increase, efficiency and noise comfort. The electric motors of the EQE43 4Matic SUV feature AMG-specific tuning and control. The EQE53 4Matic+ SUV uses AMG-specific electric motors with adapted windings, different laminations, higher currents and adapted inverters.

This allows higher motor speeds and thus even more power, which is particularly noticeable during acceleration and in the top speed. The electric motor on the rear axle is particularly powerful thanks to its six-phase design, based on two windings with three phases each. The stator with pull-in winding ensures a super strong magnetic field.

Added to this is the highly resilient thermal concept, which allows repeated acceleration manoeuvres with consistently high performance. The power of the engines is put to the road by the standard-fit AMG Performance 4Matic (EQE43) or 4Matic+ (EQE53) fully variable all-wheel drive.

In contrast to previous usage, the "+" in 4MATIC+ stands not only for the fully variable all-wheel drive that EQE43 and EQE53 both have, but for the entire additional performance and dynamism that the EQE53 offers.

In both models, the system continuously distributes drive torque between the front and rear axles depending on the driving situation. Compared to a mechanical all‑wheel drive system, the electric-specific system ensures a significantly faster response.

Torque is checked 160 times per second and adjusted if necessary. The torque distribution depends on the selected drive program: in the Comfort program the focus is on maximum efficiency, while in Sport and Sport+ the torque is more rear-biased in the interests of greater lateral dynamics.

AMG Ride Control + suspension features with air suspension and an Adaptive Damping System that is based on four-link suspension at the front and multi-link independent suspension at the rear, each optimised with AMG‑specific wheel carriers, suspension links and anti-roll bars with greater rigidity. 

The Adaptive Damping System with continuously variable control valves located outside the damper allow damping force to be precisely adjusted. The suspension control unit analyses data – including data from the acceleration and wheel path sensors – to adjust the damping force for each wheel in a few milliseconds to suit the situation.

AMG high-performance brake system with six-piston brake callipers and 415x33mm discs at the front and single-piston brake callipers and 378x22mm discs at the rear delivers race car braking with high fade-resistance and endurance. Ceramic brakes are optional taking the vehicle’s retardation properties to a new level.

The vehicle runs a high-performance drive battery with a capacity of 90.6kWh, 328V high-performance drive battery manufactured using the latest lithium-ion technology. It consists of ten modules with a total of 360 pouch cells.

The battery management system in the EQE53 SUV is also tuned specifically for AMG. In the Sport and Sport+ drive programs the focus is on performance, in the Comfort drive program the focus is on operating range.

More details including pricing will be available at local launch in 2023.