The buzzword today is to go green, be eco-friendly, save the earth and all that. The Indian automakers as well as the luxury brands have also got on to this bandwagon.
Now Mercedes Benz, India’s biggest German luxury car maker, has introduced a refined green car, the EQE 500 fully electric SUV to take the green movement forward.
This all-new EQE 500 4Matic SUV has got the multi-purpose trait of an SUV. I test drove the brand-new car in the picturesque green Gulmarg landscape in the hills and the valley in Kashmir to check if it fits the bill.
The Exterior
One look at the EQE and you begin to fall in love with this stylish SUV you are about to drive. There are no sharp cuts or upright design elements but its overall design is sleek and smooth as you look over the sweeping roofline, the aero-efficient design for the alloys, the flat underbody panelling, and spoilers. The main mission is to slice through the air effortlessly and to minimize wind resistance to gain maximum range. But in the pursuit of ultimate aerodynamic efficiency, somewhat its road presence is reduced. The vehicle’s low-slung, rounded and smooth shape is more of a crossover than a SUV.
However, the big black faux grille with a big three-pointed star sitting boldly in the centre with a constellation of tiny stars around it looks impressive. It has got a light strip part, and dual projector LED headlamps. It has also got the skid plates front and rear and illuminated running boards on either side and the 20-inch low drag alloys to complete the SUV package. The door handles are illuminated too, and at the rear a similar light strip connects the taillights on either side.
The Interior
Once you step inside, you notice the massive 56-inch display screen that spans the entire width of the dashboard from driver side to the passenger side: the instrument cluster, center display and a passenger side display as well. It is wonderfully responsive and even the front passenger can stay entertained with a full suite of features, including watching movies with headphones on, of course.
The SUV also gets a heads-up display, three-stage ventilation and heating along with eight types of massage functions, a four-zone climate control with an inbuilt air purifier, 360-degree camera, panoramic glass roof, electrically adjustable front seats with memory function, electrically adjustable steering column, and highly configurable ambient lighting along with an extensively detailed driver’s display.
It also gets a soothing 15-speaker Burmester sound system, height-adjustable air suspension, and a dedicated off-road mode for the screen with off-road angles and a transparent bonnet view. In terms of safety, the EQE SUV has nine airbags along with many ADAS functions. The luggage space of 520 litres is good enough, but it is the space saver tyre which sits on the boot floor and not underneath, which limits the number of bags you can carry.
The Drive Experience
The EQE 500 4Matic SUV comes with an all-electric drivetrain. With a massive 408hp and 850Nm of torque, this SUV accelerates from 0-100kmph in just 4.9 seconds. It has a top speed of 210kmph. With a massive 90.5kWh battery running on a 400-volt system, its claimed range is 550 km, but it should provide you over 450 km without any hitch on the highway. Also, Mercedes dealerships are equipped with a 100kW DC fast charger, and from 10 to 80 per cent charging can be done in just 32 minutes.
Driving this big and heavy EQE around Gulmarg up and down and in the valley and on the highway to Srinagar was fun. It is so light and comfortable to drive at low speeds and when it gains speed on the highway, it is exhilarating. It picks up speed effortlessly, and breaking the speed is as effortless as you pick up speed again to enjoy the breeze.
The EQE comes with multiple drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual as well as an off-road mode, which varies the power delivery and suspension setting. It is capable of providing a comfortable drive as the throttle response is wonderful. The SUV is smooth on tough and broken roads, absorbing the potholes and the bumps. The interesting part is the air suspension has the ability to raise the ride height on the go if you come across big speed bumps on your way.
Should I buy one?
How much does it cost? With a price tag of Rs 1.39 crore, this imported (with higher custom duties) EQE SUV is not meant for everyone. But it makes a lot of sense for anyone wanting to get on board the luxury EV bandwagon. It has got plenty of luxurious tech features, refinement and comfort. This SUV is for those who want to flaunt their greener drive.
