Mercedes-Benz EQS to be discontinued: Flagship EV to be replaced after mid-life facelift as Mercedes rethinks strategy

KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz's flagship EV, the EQS, has garnered attention for its innovation, but something about it hasn't quite hit the mark. Recent reports confirm that Mercedes themselves are aware of this, leading to the announcement that the EQS will be discontinued after its upcoming mid-life facelift.

According to Autocar, Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius hinted in an interview that there will be "two S-Classes in the future—ICE and electric." This suggests that Mercedes is moving towards a strategy similar to BMW's, where a single model offers both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) versions. However, Mercedes plans to distinguish its approach.

While the S-Class EV will be built on the MB.EA Large platform, the ICE variant will use an updated version of the existing MRA architecture. Källenius dismissed rumors that the MB.EA platform was being abandoned, reaffirming that its development is "running at high speed." Despite these different underpinnings, the new S-Class models are expected to share more similarities than the current S-Class and EQS. However, unlike BMW's 7 Series and i7, which are almost identical, the S-Class variants are likely to differ in proportions, with the EV potentially featuring a longer wheelbase due to its bespoke electric platform.

Autocar also suggests that the next-generation E-Class will follow a similar strategy, with both ICE and EV versions to maximize development efficiency. Källenius noted that Mercedes has invested significantly more in the upcoming S-Class than is typical for a facelift, indicating a major overhaul rather than a minor update.

The current ICE and electric S-Class models are expected to be unified around 2030, replacing both the traditional S-Class and the EQS. While the EQS has been available in Malaysia longer than BMW's i7, it seems that the i7 has become more popular on the roads.

Some critics and consumers have pointed out that the EQS, while elegant, may not be bold enough to stand out in the increasingly competitive luxury EV market. However, Mercedes is not one to rest on its laurels, and their new strategy aims to address these concerns, likely positioning them for a strong comeback.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS available in Malaysia includes two variants: the EQS 450+ and the EQS 580 4MATIC. The EQS 450+ is priced at RM 698,888, while the EQS 580 4MATIC is priced at RM 798,888. The EQS 450+ generates 333 PS (329 hp) and 568 Nm of torque, offering a range of up to 782 kilometers. Meanwhile, the EQS 580 4MATIC delivers 523 PS (516 hp) and 855 Nm of torque, with a range of up to 676 kilometers.

In our opinion, the specs of the Mercedes-Benz EQS are truly impressive, especially with the EQS 450+ and EQS 580 4MATIC delivering such remarkable power and range. This high level of performance should have offsets any concerns about its design or driving dynamics, but it has not. The sheer torque and range make it clear that Mercedes has put considerable effort into ensuring that the EQS not only competes but excels in the luxury EV market, despite any critiques it may face in other areas.

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