The EQS 580 4MATIC SUV shoots off rather quickly with an elastic feel accompanying the hard launch, like a catapult being stretched to fire, except that it has already got moving and in a hurry. The steering feel is light and easy and it has four-wheel steering, with the rear wheels turning as much as 10°, to make manoeuvrability easier. The dynamic power flow display—typical of AMGs—is there, too, but has no “kW” and “Nm” figures shown, just percentages. What’s curious, though, is that both motors only kick in when accelerator is prodded a certain degree, especially when overtaking. The rest of the time, at highway speed, it is the front motor doing most of the work. However, at low speed, such as when looking for a parking spot, it is the rear motor which does duty. In reverse at low speed, however, I noticed the front motor in action again. Curious. More so because Mercedes have not specified the power of each motor, except that their combined peak is 400 kW. I can’t even begin to predict what the split could be given the circumstances. Two identical motors feels plausible. However, overseas, the EQS 450+ SUV has a single motor, rated at 265 kW (360 hp), at the rear. But, all of this is not what the EQS SUV is about, is it?
The EQS 580 4MATIC SUV is about luxury. And delivering what eccentric customers with spare change totalling Rs 1.41 crore plus tax, insurance, and options want from their ostentatious mobility device in the first place. Eye-catching LED lighting outside, a huge dual-pane sunroof, night-club like ambient lighting inside, a mix of large screens all over the place (driver, centre, passenger, rear tablet in the centre arm-rest, twin rear screens, maybe more I missed), with premium surround sound, wireless smartphone support for both Android and Apple users, wireless charging, and an app suite to rival the smartest smartphone all packed into a huge form measuring 5,125 mm long, 1,959 mm wide, and 1,718 mm high with 3,210 mm between the 21-inch wheel centres. This is a lot of personal mobility in a heavy and massive footprint for what is a single entity. It is truly massive. And it is extremely comfortable to be in.
The introduction of the EQS 580 4MATIC SUV was fast-tracked to be the third EV from the luxury brand in three months and the next to be assembled here in India. The imported EQE 500 4MATIC SUV, at Rs 1,39,25,000, is just Rs 1.75 lakh off this EQS. But the smile of the product manager, hiding words, said that the EQS is larger and they want to push this one more. Right. Quite a package. And very Mercedes. Albeit on an electric trip.
Need to Know – Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC SUV
Price: Rs 1.41 crore (ex-showroom)
Battery: Lithium-ion, 122 kWh (claimed)
Motors: Two, permanent magnet, 400 kW
Max Power: 544 hp
Max Torque: 858 Nm
Transmission: Single-speed, automatic, front and rear, part-time all-wheel drive
Suspension: Multi-link with air springs, front and rear
Weight: 2770 kg
