New Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ electric supersaloon: specs, details and prices

Mercedes has announced pricing for the high-performance AMG version of its EQS electric luxury limousine. A direct rival for the range-topping versions of the Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron GT and Tesla Model S, the EQS 53 4MATIC is available to order now, with first deliveries to begin in April 2022.

The first purely electric production Mercedes to wear the AMG badge, the brand's zero-emissions supersaloon is offered in two trim levels: Night Edition and Touring, both of which are priced from £154,995.

On top of the 1.41-metre-wide Hyperscreen infotainment setup, augmented reality head-up display, Nappa leather upholstery and Burmester surround sound system that comes as standard, in Touring trim, the EQS 53 4MATIC+ gets 22-inch alloy wheels and ambient interior lighting.

Touring models are also offered with the Rear Luxury Lounge package (£2,995), which adds electrically adjustable rear comfort seats with neck and shoulder heating among other features, plus MBUX tablets, wireless smartphone charging and climate controls in the rear as well.

23

Night Edition cars meanwhile get AMG body styling, 21-inch alloy wheels, a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, sports pedals and full leather upholstery. This version of the EQS 53 4MATIC+ is the only one of the two available with the optional AMG Performance Package (£8,995).

Add it, and you get ceramic composite brakes, carbon fibre trim and AMG Dynamic Plus boost, which increases maximum power and torque to 751bhp and 1,020Nm for short bursts when the special 'Race Start' mode is activated compared to the still suitably healthy 649bhp and 950Nm of torque the a pair of electric motors in the EQS 53 4MATIC+ ordinarily produces. 

The EQS 53 4MATIC+ can accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds in standard form, or 3.4 seconds with the Dynamic Plus package fitted. Top speed is 137mph for the standard car, or 155mph with Dynamic Plus. Mercedes describes the car's motors as 'AMG-specific', with both hardware and software differences compared to those found in the standard EQS. Driving modes include Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.

23

As well as the significant increase in performance, the AMG version of the EQS also features some subtle visual changes that set it apart from the standard car; these include a black grille panel with vertical chrome struts, as well as AMG badging and various gloss-black and chrome highlights.

As the '4MATIC+' part of its name indicates, the EQS 53 is available with four-wheel drive only. The system can rapidly adjust the amount of power going to each of the car's four wheels in order to improve handling and grip. Elsewhere, the EQS 53 features adaptive adjustable suspension, based on that of the regular EQS, but improved and reconfigured by AMG. Agility and manoeuvrability are further enhanced by standard rear-axle steering.

The EQS 53 uses the same 107.8kWh battery as the range-topping version of the EQS, with modified wiring and management software to account for the higher performance. The flagship supersaloon can cover up to 358 miles on a single charge, depending on which trim level and wheel size you go for, while maximum charging speed is 200kW, allowing for 186 miles of range to be added in just under 20 minutes. There’s also three levels of brake energy recuperation are on offer, too.

The EQS 53 also features something called 'AMG Sound Experience', which is intended to make up for the lack of engine noise from its electric motors. It uses loudspeakers, shakers and a sound generator to create a choice of different sound themes, which vary to match how the car is being driven at any moment. 

23

The EQS 53 features two AMG Sound Experience modes as standard, called 'Authentic' and 'Performance'. However, if you add the previously mentioned AMG Performance Package you get three modes instead: ‘Balanced’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Powerful’.

The EQS 53 4MATIC+ is expected to be followed by a raft of other high-performance AMG versions of cars from Mercedes' line-up of fully electric 'EQ' models in the coming months and years. Speaking at the Munich show, chairman of Mercedes' board of management Phillip Schiemer said: "Further all-electric AMG models will follow in the not-too-distant future". 

This could include further EQS variants, as Mercedes has trademarked the EQS 55 and EQS 63 nameplates, too. A performance version of the forthcoming E-Class-sized EQE saloon has also been spied testing in 2021.

The EQS 53 4MATIC+ made its debut at the 2021 IAA Mobility show in Munich alongside several other new electric Mercedes models, including the EQE executive saloon and Concept EQG off-roader.