It’s mean. Blacked out. And electric? Yes, the Mercedes AMG EQE is the badass electric SUV. Over at Tesla, it doesn’t really compete against the Model Y that is a similar size, and the Model X is larger with a third row. The Mercedes EQE is doing its own thing as a performance-oriented electric SUV, which is a vehicle category we didn’t think we needed. But as the popularity of SUVs continues to replace sedans, performance versions are selling insanely well. Just ask Lamborghini with their Urus, and don’t even try to attempt to get your name on the list for the Ferrari Purosangue, as the waiting list is reportedly out three years. Why not have performance when you want it, utility when you need it, with an electric powertrain to boot?
All Black Everything
The allure of my test vehicle can be attributed to the AMG Night Package that includes gloss black mirror housings, blacked-out window trim, side skirts, front splitter and rear apron. This package runs a whopping $4,000. Add to that an additional Night Package Plus, which blacks out the front grille and rear badging. All that chrome delete creates one sinister-looking SUV.
Michael Schiebe, CEO of AMG, notes, “At Mercedes-AMG, everything revolves around the extra performance and emotion that our customers seek and find with us. And these core characteristics of the brand naturally also apply to our all-electric models. We continue to focus our portfolio on electromobility. With the EQE, EQS and now the EQE SUV, we already have three very desirable offerings in the range. They stand for top performance, driving pleasure and dynamics. The AMG EQE SUV is another important step toward electric mobility at AMG.” So electric does not have to be boring.
Sonic Easter Eggs
The engineers at AMG know that an all-electric vehicle can be whisper-quiet. But just like an empty library, no noise doesn’t bring much excitement to the table. Hence the AMG Sound Experience. As AMG engineers put it, they’ve created a new voice for electric – a soundtrack for inside and out that emotionally enhances the dynamic driving experience. The standard audio “engine” experience is called Authentic and gives a little growl to the nearly silent electric car. You have the ability to change the sound and its intensity depending on how fast you’re driving and selected drive program. The hallmark AMG driving sounds are generated with the help of additional hardware: special speakers, a bass actuator and a sound generator. By using the AMG steering wheel button, you can engage Sport and Powerful audio tracks. If you want to drag race, punch up the Race Start setting from the infotainment system to really create some drama for you and the passenger.
In addition to the drive sounds, there are other audio cues for starting the car and turning it off. When you lock or open the car, it sounds like the report Darth would get when he needs to jump into his TIE fighter to take over the galaxy. The event sounds can be deactivated via the multimedia system settings – separately for the exterior and interior. But since you sprang for the AMG version, might as well have a little audio drama and fun! The drama continues with lighting that displays the Mercedes logo not just on the ground, but cool lighting on the garage door you parked in front of.
Hyperscreen for Hyperspace
Mercedes takes the cake for the most badass infotainment screen. The EQE’s Hyperscreen is a large, curved unit extending from A-pillar to A-pillar. Three screens sit under a single glass cover and visually merge into one. The passenger can choose audio or navigation from the screen mounted in front of them, but it still looks like one cohesive unit. Once you familiarize yourself with the massive infotainment screen, you can delve into the Dolby Atmos sound system. With the correct music, individual instruments or voices can be positioned around the listening area. For purists, a good stereo mix with a touch of rear fill might be the ticket. But for those who like an immersive audio experience, Dolby Atmos gives you 360-degrees of coverage.
Whoa!
We usually don’t talk about brakes, but my tester wore the optional ceramic composite massive stoppers, which could be necessary for those taking a heavy electric car on a racetrack. Since most EQE owners probably won’t do trackwork, the option is yours; if you spring for the brakes, it will set you back $5,400. If you’re just zipping around town, the standard brakes are fine.
Mercedes is also using a lot of tech to monitor the battery temperature and charge it in the most efficient way. The high-voltage battery is warrantied for 10 years or up to 155,000 miles. The EQE is not cheap, coming in at just under $134K. It also doesn’t have a lot of competition as an electric performance SUV. But if you’re an electric car enthusiast and performance enthusiast looking for an SUV, here is your ride!
