Does the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS Really Represent the Future of Mercedes Electric Mobility?

Mercedes has just introduced the Vision EQS Concept and, given the EQS designation, we believe that this concept will end up moving into production as part of Merc’s EQ line of electric vehicles. This concept, ladies and gentleman, essentially represents the electric S-Class of the future. All of the prerequisites are there from the long wheelbase to the sporty nature and class-leading luxury. This concept is loaded to the gills with new technology, semi-autonomous driving capability, and a cabin that’s worth of the S-Class name. Does it all seem a little futuristic to you? Well, it should, but the truth is that this car probably isn’t that far off from production. With that in mind, you’ll be happy to hear that it’s still meant to be a driver’s car too. Here’s what you need to know.

The Exterior Design of the Vision EQS Has Production Written All Over It

The front end of the EQS is quite similar to what we’ve seen on other EQ concepts from Mercedes, and it’s largely familiar thanks to what we’ve already seen on the EQ C concept. Now, the EQC production model isn’t carrying over this level of futuristic exterior lighting, and it features more of a current-day design, but the EQS won’t hit the production line for a couple more years, so what you see here could end up being what you get. After all, Mercedes can afford to cram all of this technology into a production vehicle of this stature as you’re going to pay out the ass for it anyway. With the current S-Class priced anywhere between $91,000 and $232,000 for the range-topping AMG model, you know a production version of the EQS won’t be cheap either.

LEDs naturally have a long lifespan, so there’s even hope that we could see this futuristic and sexy grille make it to the production line as well. See that little lip that runs along the lower fascia and below the side skirts? That emphasizes the car’s sporty nature despite having no ICE soul or a beastly engine under the hood.

The side profile as you see above is exactly what we would expect the S-Class to eventually evolve into. It’s no secret that the luxury saloon is slowly transitioning into a bubble roof, and the EQS represents what could be the next step. The trick, however, is to make it look sporty and attractive and not like a stretched out Volkswagen beetle. The EQS hits the mark in this regard, and the roof will also lead to amazing interior headspace for rear passengers. The other important thing to point out – outside of the slightly concave lower body and long wheelbase – is that thin light strip that sits just below the beltline. Now, I don’t see what Mercedes see; they say it gives the black portion of the car a “floating glasshouse effect,” but I do love the way the front and rear are linked together with a seemingly infinite beam of light. This isn’t only an aesthetic thing as this will also help make the car more visible at night, and I can get on board with that.

Around back, I have somewhat missed feelings here. I love the overall design and the way the taillights are integrated into the body with little star-shaped LEDs – that’s rather creative, I might add – but from this angle, it’s clear that the front end is actually wider than the rear and I have a feeling this will harm handling in some way, shape, or form. Perhaps not, but it certainly feels like the front track is wider than the rear and it’s just weird. Maybe it’s an illusion thanks to all those rounded proportions. On that note, the black area above the beltline actually looks somewhat mysterious here as the glass is only transparent from certain angles, while the rear glass – for some reason – reminds me of the design on the Mazda RX-8. Maybe it’s just too early, and I haven’t had enough coffee yet.

The Mercedes Vision EQS – Power Delivery and Performance Worthy of the S-Class Range

The thing about all of this vision cars is that they are usually way too futuristic and automakers seem to throw out unbelievable charging times, range numbers, and even performance figures. But, Mercedes has managed to control itself to some extent. According to them, the EQS Concept can juice up to 80-percent in a matter of 20 minutes on a 350-kW charger system. That seems quite fast for a car with a 100 kWh battery built into the floor and the availability of high-speed chargers today, but I’m going to give Mercedes the benefit of the doubt.

The car is even set up to offer rather superior performance for a car that’s intended to be a luxury saloon at its core. It pumps out up to 350 kW of power or around 475 metric horsepower and as much as 560 pound-feet of torque. That’s some 146 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque less than the current AMG S 65 Sedan but, you know what? The EQS Concept can hit 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds, just 0.4 seconds slower than the more powerful and torquier AMG S65. It has a top speed higher than 200 kph, so it should hit at least 130 mph, but we’re guessing it can go much higher and will probably be limited to 155 mph as most high-end German cars are.

2019 Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS Concept specifications

CO2 emissions	0 g/km
Range (WLTP)	up to 700 km.
Output	approx. 350 kW
Acceleration (0-100 km/h)	< 4.5 seconds
Top speed	> 200 km/h
Peak torque	approx. 760 Nm
Battery capacity	approx. 100 kWh
Charging output (DC)	350 kW
Drive system	All-wheel drive (fully variable)

Can the Mercedes Vision EQS Concept’s Interior Go Into Production?

This interior design, specifically the seats feel very familiar, but I can’t quite place my finger and where I’ve seen them. I have to admit that it’s very sleek and attractive. I love the way the floating dash and center console give that feeling of space and openness. Sure, it’s a big car, but the amount of legroom in the front almost seems like too much – it feels like the seats could fold flat and turn into a single bed with ease. Now; that would be cool. Rear passengers seem to have a lot of space too, and the touch panels on the doors and center console are pretty much doable with today’s technology if the car will actually sit near the top of the S-Class range.

Not because it’s ugly or because it doesn’t fit the car. It, in fact, blends in with the door trim panels very nicely. BMW has even gone to the extent of layering it and the seats with imitation leather that feels like the real thing for environmental purposes. But, the thing we’re forgetting about here is that any production car needs airbags. There needs to be one on the passenger side of the dash and one in the steering wheel. The design you see here simply cannot accommodate that. As time goes on and technology continues to grow, then maybe this design could really move into production, but we won’t be that far along when this baby hits the production line. Much in the same way the EQC looks more like a modern Mercedes than the concept it was based on, the interior of the EQS will take the same path. Hopefully all of the cool technology and exterior design will carry over, but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.