Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV launched as the brand’s third electric vehicle in India: Live updates

The EQE electric SUV is a key part of Mercedes-Benz’s 2030 vision

Mercedes-Benz said in 2021 that it would switch to fully electric cars by 2030, but with conditions. The German luxury carmaker said it will only sell electric cars when market conditions allow, meaning Mercedes-Benz may continue to sell petrol and diesel vehicles after 2030 in countries that lack consumer demand for electric cars. In India, where demand for electric vehicles has risen rapidly over the past few years, the carmaker has taken a combined product strategy where it sells both fossil fuel-powered vehicles as well as all-electric models.

Mercedes-Benz EQE: Safety features

The Mercedes-Benz EQE comes loaded with a wide range of active and passive safety features backed by advanced technologies. Safety features on board the SUV include multiple airbags, a 360-degree camera, ABS with EBD along with a host of driving assistance technologies like lane keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and even parking assist.

EQE debuted in October 2022

The Mercedes-Benz EQE electric SUV made its debut in October last year. It comes as an SUV version of the EQE sedan. The luxury electric SUV also shares the same Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA) platform as the EQE sedan. This EVA platform underpins three electric cars from the German brand. Soon after the cover was unveiled in October 2022, the car went on sale in the global market and is now all set to be launched in India after almost a year. At launch, the SUV will be positioned between the EQS sedan and the EQB SUV.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE gets a large number of engines globally

The new Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV has multiple powertrain and battery options globally. The base model EQE 350+ gets a single motor and rear-wheel drive that produces 288 PS and 565 Nm of peak torque while offering a range of 590 km (WLTP cycle) on a single charge. The more powerful EQE 350 4MATIC gets a twin-motor setup that continues to produce 288 hp, but much higher torque at 765 Nm with a range of 538 km (WLTP).

The EQE 500 4MATIC is the top-spec version of the electric car with 402 PS and 858 Nm of torque, while a range of 521 km (WLTP) on a single charge. All models are powered by a 90.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, while 4MATIC models get all-wheel drive (AWD). EQE also supports DC fast charging speeds of up to 170 kW.

Mercedes-Benz EQE: What the cabin offers

The cabin of the Mercedes-Benz EQE electric SUV gets a new S-Class-inspired vertical display with a floating digital console behind the steering wheel. There is also an optional Hyperscreen layout that includes three individual displays under a single 1410mm wide panel. These monitors come powered by the latest MBUX operating system, which offers a host of connectivity features including voice commands, remote on/off, OTA updates, and more. The EQE will be a five-seat offering. The most impressive feature of the spacious cabin is the large dual displays that attract attention at first sight.

Mercedes-Benz EQE: The design follows the spirit of contemporary design

Visually, the Mercedes-Benz EQE electric SUV incorporates the same design philosophy as other EQ models in the brand’s lineup. This includes a glossy black starry panel in place of the traditional grille, aero-optimised alloy wheels, stylish LED DRLs running across the front profile, and flip-up surfaces for improved aerodynamics. AMG models feature some aggressive design elements including the Panamericana grille, revised bumpers and different alloy wheels.

Mercedes plans to launch 3-4 new electric cars in India by 2024

Mercedes-Benz India had already revealed in August this year that the automaker is gearing up to launch three to four new electric vehicles in the country in the next 12 to 18 months. The all-new EQE SUV is the first of them. Besides, three more electric cars are expected to be launched in India over the next year and a half. However, the car brand has not revealed those models. Given the fact that the internal combustion engined GLC has tasted very good success in the country and has become one of the revenue leaders for the brand here, Mercedes-Benz may introduce the pure electric version of the SUV, the EQC.

Mercedes-Benz is looking to an electric future

Mercedes-Benz aims for 25% of car sales in India to be electric cars within the next three years. This would represent a significant increase from the current figures of 3-4%. The already launched models EQS Sedan and EQB SUV, along with the EQE SUV that will be launched, are key parts of this strategy. Besides these electric cars, the luxury carmaker may bring other electric cars to India in the future. Globally, the carmaker sells a range of electric vehicles that include the EQA SUV, EQC SUV, EQV van and EQE sedan, besides the models available in the Indian market.

Mercedes-Benz EQE electric SUV: price forecast

It is not yet known whether the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV will be brought to India as a completely built unit (CBU) or will be manufactured locally. The manufacturing strategy will influence the pricing of this electric SUV. The SUV will compete directly with rivals like the BMW iX and Audi Q8 e-tron, which were launched in India a few days ago. Both luxury electric SUVs come at much higher prices $1 Crore. The upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQE is expected to come at a similar price as well. The other two electric cars sold by Mercedes-Benz in India, the EQB and EQS, are available at a starting price of $77.50 Lakh (ex-showroom) and $1.59 crore (ex-showroom) respectively.

EQE SUV to strengthen Mercedes-Benz’s position in the luxury electric car market

Mercedes-Benz aims to further strengthen its position in the luxury electric vehicle market in India, having already launched the EQS Sedan and EQB SUV. With the launch of the EQE electric SUV, the automaker will have a strong portfolio of three products in India, strengthening the German luxury car brand’s position against its rivals like Audi, BMW and Volvo, who have also launched their electric vehicles in the country. .