Interior design with a particularly sporty touch
The interior is also dominated by style-defining AMG features. Here the AMG EQS offers a seat upholstery in nappa leather with AMG-specific seat graphics. The AMG steering wheel has a combination of carbon fibre and MICROCUT microfiber providing a good grip while driving. It is paired with AMG steering wheel buttons and silver-coloured aluminium shift paddles for setting various recuperation levels which further emphasises the cabin sportiness.
In addition, there are numerous other features that underline the distinctive style of the interior such as instrument panel and beltlines in space grey ARTICO man-made leather with NEOTEX grain and red topstitching, door centre panels and also transition from centre console to dashboard in black MICROCUT microfibre with red topstitching, AMG sports pedals, and AMG floor mats and door sill trims with "AMG" lettering (illuminated with interchangeable cover). The AMG EQS also comes with flex bottleholder, EASY-PACK load compartment cover, and Interior Light package. The KEYLESS-GO comfort package features HANDS-FREE ACCESS and KEYLESS-GO functionalities providing convenience when on the go.
The AMG EQS is equipped with the innovative MBUX Hyperscreen. This large, curved screen unit extends from A-pillar to A-pillar. Three screens sit under a glass cover and appear to merge into one. AMG TRACK PACE, the virtual race engineer, is part of the MBUX infotainment system and permanently records more than 80 vehicle-specific data (e.g. speed, acceleration), for example while driving on a racetrack. On top of this, lap and sector times are displayed, as well as the respective difference from a reference time. Because specific display elements are shown in green or red, the driver is able to see at a glance without reading numbers whether they are currently faster or slower than the best time. The data is displayed on the multimedia display, in the instrument cluster and on the optional head-up display. Quick access to the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes is provided by the corresponding direct-entry button in the centre console.
The Premium Plus package included comes with climatised front seats, THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control, Burmester® 3D surround sound system, and panoramic sliding sunroof. Providing further assistance to the driver, the MBUX augmented reality head-up display and MBUX augmented reality for navigation enables drivers to manoeuvre safely through complex traffic situations.
Maximum aerodynamic efficiency with a cd value from 0.23
The AMG EQS achieves a drag coefficient from 0.23. At the same time, the aerodynamic fine-tuning ensures maximum efficiency for both slow and dynamic, high-speed driving. To achieve this, AMG's aero-specialists carried out a large number of wind tunnel and flow tests and optimised both the basic shape and certain design features. These include:
• Front splitter in high-gloss black with chrome trim and also flics and fins on the air intakes, with AIR CURTAINS on the left and right in high-gloss black with chrome trim
• AMG side sill panels in high-gloss black
• Rear apron in the colour of the car with aerodynamically optimised diffuser with six longitudinal fins
• Larger rear spoiler (compared to AMG Line), to improve driving dynamics: rear lift is reduced without increasing drag
• 21-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in Aero or Heritage design, all aerodynamically optimised
The side air intakes contribute to the vehicle's efficiency: the air curtain effect concentrates the airflow and sends it ahead of the front wheels at high speed. In this way the front wheels are aerodynamically shielded, which reduces air resistance and thus has a positive effect on operating range.
Intelligent recuperation for efficient energy recovery
The AMG EQS sets standards not only with its highly dynamic power delivery when accelerating, but also with efficient energy recuperation when braking. The recuperation output is up to 300 kW.
The driver can adjust the level of recuperation in three stages via switches on the steering wheel, and receive situation-related support from the ECO Assistant. Combined braking can take place until standstill.
New battery generation with a capacity of 108.4 kWh
The AMG EQS is equipped with a powerful 400-volt battery manufactured using the latest lithium-ion technology. A major advance in sustainability has been achieved in the cell chemistry: the cobalt content is reduced to ten percent, the optimised active material consists of nickel, cobalt and manganese in a ratio of 8:1:1. The high-voltage battery has a usable energy content of 108.4 kWh. One special technical feature is the AMG specific wiring, which is adapted to the high performance capacity. The battery management system is also configured specifically for AMG. In the Sport and Sport+ driving modes the focus is on performance, in Comfort mode on operating range. The new generation of batteries is characterised by a significantly higher energy density compared to previous developments. It also has a higher charging capacity. Another new feature is the possibility to install updates for the battery management system over the air.
Another advantage of the new battery generation is the significantly shorter charging times. As with the sister model from Mercedes-EQ, the battery can be charged with up to 200 kW at quick-charging stations with direct current. In this case, power for up to another 300 kilometres (WLTP) can be "topped up" after just 19 minutes . Thanks to the onboard charger, the electrified AMG can be conveniently charged at home or at public charging stations with up to 22 kW of alternating current.
The battery also stands out for its durability. The ECO Charging function makes a significant contribution to this: the intelligent control reduces the battery load during charging, and thus slows down the natural ageing process of the battery. Customers can also benefit from "charge interruption" function: the charging process can be paused at freely selectable times so as to use cheaper off-peak electricity at a later time, for example. The battery certificate stands for the long service life of the high-voltage batteries. It is valid up to a term of ten years or up to 250,000 kilometres.
AMG high-performance compound braking system
The AMG EQS is not only a top performer when it comes to driving dynamics, but also in handling safety. This is amply demonstrated by the AMG high-performance compound brake system with six-piston brake callipers and brake discs measuring 415x33 millimetres at the front, and single-piston brake callipers and brake discs measuring 378x22 millimetres at the rear. The AMG ceramic high-performance compound brake system uses even larger brake discs measuring 440x40 millimetres at the front. Another high-tech feature is the additional i-Booster function. This ensures that the braking system combines electric recuperation with the hydraulic brake in a highly efficient manner. For that really authentic driving experience, the i-Booster is specially tuned to the hallmark AMG pedal feel and the larger AMG braking system.
Predictive route planning and efficient driving with Electric Intelligence
As far as Navigation with Electric Intelligence is concerned, the name says it all. Because it plans the fastest and most convenient route, including charging stops, based on numerous factors and reacts dynamically to traffic jams or a change in driving style, for example. Electric Intelligence plans a fast and comfortable route in advance, including charging stops, based on numerous factors such as the calculated energy demand. The system includes all relevant data in the calculation, from topography and route to driving speed and heating and cooling requirements.
With Electric Intelligence, the AMG EQS also reacts dynamically to the traffic situation on the planned route. The vehicle records traffic tailbacks and road closures, as well as changes in energy demand. For its calculations the system uses information from the cloud, which it combines with onboard data.
The planned route can be edited individually. For example, the customer can set the additional reserve at the destination and at the charging station (SoC, State of Charge) - ten percent SoC is standard. If the "Charge at destination" function is selected, the set reserve may be undercut until the destination is reached. MBUX indicates whether the available battery capacity is sufficient to drive back to the starting point without charging.
Further options for individual route planning:
• The route calculation prefers manually added charging stations along the route
• The driver can exclude suggested charging stations
• Calculation of the expected charging costs per charging stop
If there is a risk of not reaching the destination or the charging station with the chosen settings, MBUX informs the driver in good time with a note to activate the ECO driving functions, thanks to "Active range monitoring".
Comprehensive safety concept: battery is crash-protected in the underbody
The battery sits in a crash-protected area in the underbody, embedded in the body shell structure including an extruded aluminium profile on the side. During extrusion, a heated block of metal is pushed through the dies and turns into an endless section, which is then cut to fit. This makes highly complex sections that are precisely tailored to the requirements possible. The housing with energy-absorbing structures at the front and side as well as a rigid, double-walled base plate provide additional protection for the modules.
Extensive crash and component tests have been part of the standard procedure at Mercedes-Benz for decades, and the standard is acknowledged to be high - the internal requirements are often significantly more stringent than the law requires. The company also attaches great importance to the best possible protection for the batteries. The test criteria include, among other things, the battery behaviour under shock load and in the event of foreign object penetration. Overheating and overcharging are also important parts of the tests.
In addition, there is a separate, multi-level safety system for everyday operation. This includes, for example, temperature, voltage or insulation monitoring as a continuously monitoring safety system. If a fault occurs, the battery switches off. Crash monitoring when stationary (during DC charging) is also standard.
Sustainability In production and materials
The roof of Factory 56, the production site of the AMG EQS, is fitted with 12,000 photovoltaic modules. These have a maximum output of around 5000 kWp and can thus cover around 30 percent of the factory's energy needs on an annual average. Overall, the required energy requirement is reduced by 25 percent compared to other assembly shops. The bottom line is that Factory 56 is a zero-carbon factory - completely CO2-neutral. 40 percent of the roof area of Factory 56 has greenery, and recycled concrete was used for the first time in the main building. Production of the highly complex lithium-ion batteries at the Hedelfingen plant, part of the Stuttgart-Untertürkheim location, will be CO2-neutral from 2022. As part of strategic partnerships, Mercedes Benz has also agreed to purchase battery cells manufactured in a CO2-neutral manner.
The components weigh over 80 kilograms and are made of resource-saving materials (recycled and renewable raw materials). A new yarn made of regenerated nylon is sewn into the floor coverings of the all-electric AMG model. One tonne of this yarn saves over 6.5 tonnes of CO2 compared to new material. The steel for the vehicle body consists of 80 percent secondary steel, most of which is obtained from recycled steel scrap.
After use in the vehicle, a second lease of life is possible for batteries: for example, in an energy bank operated by Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH. Together with its partners, the company has already brought three large-scale energy banks with a total of around 50 MWh of energy from automotive battery systems into the German electricity grid. The first 2nd-life battery storage system was connected to the grid in October 2016 in Lünen, Westphalia.