The 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE is the closest factor you will get to an electrical E63 – however you would not know by taking a look at it. When this automotive arrived at our doorstep, we virtually did not discover it was the AMG mannequin, pondering it was one of many common EQE variants. The AMG EQE is exclusive in that in contrast to most up-to-date fashions from Affalterbach, it would not shout to the world about its AMG designation and demand consideration.

That is to not say that AMG hasn’t instilled its anticipated lunacy into the EQE. The automotive produces practically 700 horsepower with launch management, prospects can go for six-piston carbon ceramic brakes, and regardless of it being electrical, it makes a number of the most hysterical noises you might think about. Is it a direct alternative for an E63? Completely not. However in a budding section of luxurious electrical sedans, there are many causes to think about the EQE, particularly this wildly brisk AMG mannequin. After spending per week within the 2023 AMG EQE, we discovered loads to like – but in addition loads to query.

Aero Egg Styling

When spending over $105k on a luxurious car, many rational components of a automotive buy get thrown out the window, and magnificence and desirability take the next precedence. What good is it spending all that cash if individuals within the econobox behind you are not jealous, proper? On this, the AMG EQE fails to ship.

Very similar to the bigger EQS, the EQE’s design is dictated by aerodynamics, leading to an egg-like form that slips by means of the air however struggles to make its approach into our hearts. Maybe a colour apart from black may appeal to extra stares, however we felt utterly nameless, regardless of driving round in a brand-new AMG automotive. It simply would not convey an AMG impression.

Nonetheless, AMG tried its greatest to dial up the flare of the EQE with bigger 21-inch wheels, a digital interpretation of the Panamericana grille, and even a large spoiler on the again, however none of those modifications appear to make up for the truth that the form is not attractive. We get that Mercedes needed the automotive to be aerodynamically environment friendly for improved vary, however when that engineering then will get offset by large wheels with thick tires (and extra energy), the decision-making appears questionable.

Ushering AMG To The EV Period

One space the place the AMG EQE doesn’t wrestle is within the energy division. Twin electrical motors ship 617 horsepower and 701 lb-ft in Sport+ Mode, and the driving force can select to cut back that determine by as much as 50% (308 hp) by driving in Slippery mode. Even in consolation mode the place the AMG EQE solely delivers 80% energy (493 hp), it may well pin the driving force’s head to the AMG-embossed headrest. Sport mode permits 90% energy (555 hp), permitting the AMG EQE to begin inflicting bodily ache with its acceleration.

Utilizing Race Begin, what Mercedes calls its launch management program, the motors can ship a 110% enhance good for a complete of 677 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. Maintain the brake, mash the throttle, and prepare to hit 60 mph in simply 3.2 seconds. Sure, A Tesla Mannequin S Plaid or a Lucid Air Sapphire is faster, however the AMG EQE is fast sufficient to make you are feeling unwell after just some laborious launches. There is no debate about this – the AMG EQE is lots fast.

The best way the automotive sounds is extra spectacular nonetheless. Mercedes has a characteristic known as AMG Sound Management, which performs noise by means of the audio system throughout acceleration. There are two modes to select from, Genuine and Efficiency, every with three quantity settings. Efficiency is a beefier, extra pure noise that sounds nearer to an engine rumble. It emits a low electrical hum that grows louder the tougher you mash the throttle.

As for Genuine, it’s kind of extra delicate while you drive round usually, however throughout race begin, it exudes a sound that might solely be described as a sci-fi spaceship warming up its other-worldly propulsion system. Will these sounds ever substitute the rumble of an excellent V8? Perhaps to not some of us, however they’re very entertaining differently.

Does It Drive Like An AMG {Car}?

Having pushed the AMG EQS, we are able to confidently say the smaller AMG EQE is a extra partaking automotive to drive. The shorter wheelbase ends in nimbler dealing with, whereas the usual AMG Experience Management Air Suspension offers what we might name a cushty experience for this degree of efficiency. If the E63 is the benchmark, the AMG EQE could possibly be thought of extra cloud-like by comparability. That being mentioned, the E63 nonetheless feels just like the extra thrilling automotive to drive; it is lighter, the steering is sharper, the suspension is stiffer, and there is a drift mode that deactivates the all-wheel-drive system for optimum leisure. The EQE might speed up like a rocket and play sci-fi noises, nevertheless it simply appears like a fast luxurious automotive, not a driver’s automotive.

We cannot fault AMG, although, as a result of constructing an EV that sucks as an on a regular basis automotive within the pursuit of driving enjoyment additionally appears like a foolish objective, and the AMG EQE appears to cowl a lot of the bases comparatively effectively. Drivers who demand uncompromised consolation with virtually pointless pace will get pleasure from this automotive. There aren’t many vehicles in the marketplace proper now that instantly stack up in opposition to the AMG EQE, and those that do are dearer. That Tesla Mannequin S Plaid could be faster, however the AMG is softer, extra partaking, and general extra luxurious.

Vary And Charging

All EQE fashions pack the identical 90.6 kWh battery pack and 170 kW cost pace. We started the week dissatisfied that the EQE cannot match the EQS’s 200 kW peak, however in our expertise charging the automotive on a 350 kW DC fast-charger, it has a formidable curve that ought to assist cut back the size of time spent plugged in. Even with out preconditioning the battery, the EQE shortly jumped to round 162 kW and stayed there for a big time. We recorded a 34-100% cost session in beneath an hour, which is fairly spectacular.

By way of vary, the AMG sits on the backside of the EQE lineup with an EPA ranking of simply 225 miles. That estimate appears extremely conservative, although, as a 100% cost confirmed round 270 miles of cost on the automotive’s pc, and we simply recorded 250 miles on a full cost with room to spare. Annoyingly, the EQE solely reads out its effectivity in watt hours per mile, not our most well-liked miles per kilowatt-hour. Doing a little math, we calculated that the automotive achieved round 2.6 mi/kWh through the week, that means it ought to theoretically cowl 234 miles per cost in combined driving.

The EQE 350 4MATIC and 500 4MATIC ship a extra spectacular 260-mile vary, and the bottom EQE 350+ is rated at a whopping 305 miles. If vary is extra necessary to you than general efficiency, we extremely suggest trying out one of many lesser EQE variants.

Unusual Inside Decisions

Inside, the AMG EQE’s cabin is a befuddling hodgepodge of the perfect and worst Mercedes design has to supply. For the 2023 mannequin 12 months, the large 56-inch Hyperscreen from the EQS is just not obtainable on the EQE, and we did not miss it for a second. Except you could have a co-pilot, the passenger display is ineffective, and there is not a lot added performance in addition to that. The 12.8-inch OLED show is lots massive, simple sufficient to make use of, and full of options. We would kill for an old-school quantity knob, although. Talking of which, the contact capacitive controls on the steering wheel are irritating to make use of, and it makes us yearn for the earlier era’s metallic buttons.

The display sits in entrance of a big, textured panel that Mercedes calls Pure Grain Wooden, however to this author, it appears extra like a veneer you’d discover on low cost furnishings. There are many premium supplies within the cabin, although, such because the Nappa leather-based, which is a $2,990 possibility, however very like the EQS, the general high quality feels a step under the gasoline equal.

The again seats appear significantly ill-designed. They provide loads of legroom, however headroom feels tight even for shorter occupants, and the again relaxation is stiff, leaving passengers to sit down bolt upright. It is fairly laborious to get comfy within the rear seat, and anybody sitting again there might be jealous of the entrance occupants with their multi-contour therapeutic massage seats.

The EQE’s conventional trunk is decently capacious, nevertheless it could possibly be way more helpful have been it a hatch-style trunk as that of the EQS sedan – particularly since this ground-up EV would not have a frunk.

Verdict

Pricing for the AMG EQE begins at $106,900. That is a big sum of cash that in some methods could appear extreme, however in others methods, it is type of a cut price. Hear us out on this: A Tesla Mannequin S Lengthy Vary provides related efficiency for $94,990, and a Plaid is dearer at $114,990. The Tesla goes additional on a cost and expenses faster, however the inside pales compared to the Mercedes-AMG EQE. Lucid provides a number of Air variants which might be faster than the AMG EQE and ship vastly superior vary, however they, too, are dear. Consumers searching for pure consolation may have a look at the Genesis Electrified G80, however the Korean automaker would not have something that comes close to AMG ranges of efficiency.

Then there are the non-AMG EQE variants, which make a powerful case in opposition to shopping for the AMG with their superior vary. Although it solely produces 288 hp, the EQE 350+ looks as if a powerful purchase at a reasonable-ish $74,900 for over 300 miles of vary. Even the EQE 500 for $85,900 with 480 hp is lots fast, hitting 60 mph in simply 4.5 seconds whereas nonetheless delivering 260 miles on a cost. If we have been looking for an EQE, the five hundred looks as if the perfect steadiness of vary, efficiency, and value, however we would nonetheless cross-shop it with different EVs in the marketplace.