The Mercedes EQS returns massive range and charging gains

A year ago, Mercedes-Benz took the prudent measure and temporarily discontinued its EQ lineup of electric vehicles in the United States. As customer demand for luxury electric cars dried up and vindictive Republicans scrapped federal incentives, Mercedes discontinued its first generation of electric cars.

But then, in January, Mercedes quietly reintroduced the EQS brand in the United States, with drive advertisement That “the blobs are back” – a reference to the sedan’s much-maligned jelly bean shape that prioritized aerodynamics over a more conventional side profile. But we haven’t yet realized how much the EQS has truly come back.

Today, Mercedes is reintroducing its electric sedan into a wary, cash-strapped market, and it’s sweetening the pot with a crazy range estimate and… Innovative wire guidance technologyIt is the first of its kind for the German automaker. The 2027 EQS is scheduled to arrive at US dealerships in the second half of 2026.

Mercedes isn’t really messing around with the new EQS. The sedan’s range is estimated at 925 kilometers (575 mi) on the WLTP cycle (which tends to be about 10-20 percent more generous than EPA estimates). This can be achieved thanks to a new battery chemistry that mixes silicon oxide with graphite for the anodes, allowing a usable capacity of 122 kWh. Mercedes is also working to reduce its use of cobalt, which it calls “cobalt.”Blood diamonds from batteries“Because of its ties to human rights violations.

Charging will be much improved with the updated EQS as well. The automaker has upgraded the architecture to 800V, allowing for 350kW fast charging, adding a range of up to 320km in just 10 minutes. When charging at a 400V station, the EQS’s intelligent control system physically splits the battery into two parts, charging each half with 400V and up to 175 kW of power.

The inclusion of steering by wire certainly poses a significant risk. A power-by-wire system, in which the vehicle can be steered electronically rather than by a physical connection between the steering wheel and steering rack, can improve maneuverability and enhance comfort. Or it could lead to latency issues – although Mercedes says it has thoroughly tested its system for safety. A new steering yoke could help attract race enthusiasts to the dealership. But if you prefer an old-fashioned rounded steering wheel and reliable electromechanical steering, Mercedes will be happy to sell you an EQS with those trims, too.

The silhouette remains bubble-like, but Mercedes confirms that the single-arch design enables an industry-leading drag coefficient of 0.20 – which is further improved by “polished exterior mirrors”. This will likely help with range gains, but may be a hard sell among shoppers who prefer some sharp angles. Mercedes also increased regenerative braking force by a third to recover 385 kW.

And of course, there’s more AI integration, including Mercedes’ enhanced MB.OS operating system that features an AI-powered assistant and over-the-air software updates. The standard 55-inch premium display now has a “Zero Layer” interface for easier navigation. The operating system uses artificial intelligence to learn which features you use most, then displays those features as individual widgets on the home screen. Ideally, you don’t have to search through too many submenus to find what you want.

Mercedes plans to offer the EQS in a variety of packages. The EQS 450+ is the flagship of the range, as it is equipped with a single rear-wheel drive engine that provides the highest efficiency among all versions. The EQS 500 4MATIC and EQS 580 4MATIC are all-wheel drive, with a decoupler integrated in the front engine. This allows the car to disconnect the front motor when it is not needed to save power, and then activate it at lightning speed when the driver needs extra traction or a boost of acceleration. These models will feature maximum regeneration thanks to their ability to harvest energy from both axles during braking.

The new EQS will come standard with MB.Drive Assist, the automaker’s advanced driver assistance system, which uses 10 cameras and 27 sensors for automatic lane changes, evasive steering and automated parking. But what it is not is Mercedes’ new Level 2++ feature is called Drive Pilot Assist Which will be introduced in the CLA electric sedan later this year. The system is similar to Tesla’s FSD in that it can be used hands-free in cities but requires the driver to remain attentive.

Mercedes hasn’t revealed the price of the EQS yet, but it offers endless options for configuration and customization. This will be done through the automaker’s Manufaktur Made to Measure programme, which includes more than 100 paint colors and other custom interior options. This can help shift the ambience around the EQS from a ‘series production’ feel to ‘custom-built’ territory, allowing for combinations that can’t be found in a standard dealer set.

Overall, the new EQS will certainly help round out Mercedes’ EV lineup in the US, which is fluctuating at the moment. The automaker did not say whether it would also revive the EQS SUV or the EQE sedan and SUV. The CLA does a good job of turning heads. Mercedes is keeping its promise to introduce several new electric vehicles in the United States in the coming years, including variants of the GLC crossover and E-Class sedan.