Mercedes-Benz’s new electric sedan range is at Australian dealerships, with three variants offered locally.
The range opens with the single-motor rear-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz EQE 300, with a dual-motor all-wheel drive EQE 350 4Matic sitting above it and the hotter dual-motor Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 capping the range.
It’s the second model to use Mercedes-Benz’s Electric Vehicle Architecture, following the EQS fastback.
EQE 300
The two passenger cars will be joined by a pair of US-built SUVs, called simply EQE SUV and EQS SUV, in the third quarter of 2023.
Pricing
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 300: $134,9002023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 4Matic: $154,9002023 Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4Matic+: $214,900
Prices exclude on-road costs.
Drivetrains
The EQE 300 uses a single, rear-mounted electric motor producing 180kW of power and 550Nm of torque, good for a 0-100km/h time of 7.3 seconds. It uses an 89kWh lithium-ion battery.
EQE 350
The EQE 350 adds a second electric motor up front for dual-motor all-wheel drive. Its outputs are increased commensurately, with 215kW and 765Nm on tap and a quicker 6.3-second sprint to 100km/h. It uses a 90.5kWh battery.
The AMG EQE 53 also features a 90.5kWh battery and a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, albeit with total system outputs of 460kW of power and 950Nm of torque.
Mercedes-Benz claims a 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds.
The AMG’s optional Dynamic Pack sees those outputs increase to 505kW and a cool 1000Nm, with the 0-100km/h time cut to 3.3 seconds. Mercedes advises the full outputs are only available “at appropriate temperature and charge levels”.
Efficiency
Mercedes-Benz quotes WLTP range and energy consumption of 508km and 20.1kWh/100km respectively in the EQE 300, and 462km and 22.5kWh/100km in the EQE 350.
AMG EQE 53
The AMG EQE 53 has a claimed WLTP range of 435km and energy consumption of 21.8kWh/100km.
All models can be charged at up to 11kW (22kW optionally) on AC power and 170kW on DC power.
Dimensions
The EQE measures 4946mm long, 1961mm wide (2103mm including the mirrors) and 1510mm tall on a 3120mm wheelbase.
Boot space is 430L.
Kerb weight is 2380kg in the EQE 300, 2460kg in the EQE 350 and 2530kg in the AMG EQE 53.
Servicing and Warranty
The EQE range is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. The high-voltage battery is also covered by a 10-year, 250,000km warranty.
Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
Three-, four- and five-year pre-paid servicing plans are available on the EQE 300 and EQE 350, priced at $1700, $2500 and $2950, respectively.
On the AMG EQE 53, these cost $1720, $2520 and $2955, respectively.
Safety
The Mercedes-Benz EQE has a five-star ANCAP rating, based on Euro NCAP testing conducted in 2022. This rating doesn’t apply to the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53.
That was based on an adult occupant protection score of 95 per cent, a child occupant protection score of 92 per cent, a vulnerable road user protection score of 83 per cent, and a safety assist score of 82 per cent.
Standard safety equipment includes:
10 airbagsAutonomous emergency braking Front cross-traffic assistAdaptive cruise control with stop/goActive Steering Assist (lane centring)Blind-spot assist (brake-based)Driver attention monitoringEvasive steering assist incl. Pedestrian, Cyclist detectionLane-keep assistSafe exit warningTraffic sign recognitionSurround-view camera
Standard Equipment
The EQE 300 and EQE 350 offer essentially the same specification, apart from their different powertrains.
Standard equipment includes:
20-inch alloy wheelsAMG Line exterior packageRear privacy glassLED headlightsDigital LightAdaptive Highbeam Assist PlusPanoramic sunroofPower boot-lidComfort SuspensionAMG Line interior packageActive Parking AssistMercedes-Me ConnectRemote connectivityVehicle trackingRemote locking/unlocking12.3-inch digital instrument cluster12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment systemAugmented reality (AR) satellite navigationApple CarPlay, Android AutoDigital radioHead-up displayWireless phone chargerPower-adjustable front seats with memoryHeated front seatsColour-adjustable ambient lighting40:20:40 split-fold rear seatsAutomatic climate controlAuto-dimming rear-view mirrorPower-folding exterior mirrors
The EQE 350 is distinguished by a rear lip spoiler.
The AMG EQE 53 adds:
Mercedes-AMG exterior packageAMG Night package21-inch alloy wheels in Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyresAirmatic adaptive air suspensionRear-axle steeringGuard 360 security packageVentilated front seatsNappa leather upholsteryFour-zone climate control
Options
The following options are available on the EQE 300 and EQE 350:
Airmatic adaptive air suspension: $3800Rear-axle steering: $290021-inch alloy wheels: $1700 (requires Airmatic suspension)Open-pore wood trim: $1500Guard 360 security suite: $1600
Options on the AMG EQE 53 comprise:
Ceramic composite braking system: $9100AMG Dynamic Plus package: $7400MBUX Hyperscreen: $15,900
If you want to upgrade the AC charging rate to 22kW, that’ll cost an extra $1800. Mercedes-Benz also says its new Wallbox 2.0 will be available mid-year, priced at $2475.
Colours
Metallic finishes are no-cost options except for Manufaktur finishes, which cost $2200, and the AMG’s Manufaktur Graphite Grey Magno matte, which costs $6100.
The following finishes are available:
Polar White solidObsidian Black metallicSodalite Blue metallicGraphite Grey metallicHigh-tech Silver metallicSelenite Grey metallicManufaktur Opalite White brightManufaktur Alpine Grey solidManufaktur Patagonia Red brightManufaktur Graphite Grey magno
Mercedes-Benz-badged models offer a choice of Black/Space Grey or Neva Grey/Biscay Blue interiors, while the AMG also offers a third scheme called Black/Balao Brown.
MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz EQE
MORE: Everything Mercedes-AMG EQE
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