If you wanted to know what luxury cars will look like in the future, the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS is here to answer such questions with its simple yet progressive styling, not to mention a properly tech-laden interior.
The Vision EQS is also fully electric, featuring a 100 kWh battery and a total output of approximately 350 kW (476 PS / 470 HP). On paper, it can accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 4.5 seconds, will max out somewhere above 200 km/h (124 mph), and features a range of up to 700 km (435 miles).
Progressive luxury
Daimler went with a flowing yet powerful sculpted exterior, with a continuous “lightbelt” structure that makes the overall design appear seamless. The German automaker calls the Vision EQS “sensuously elegant and dramatically charged,” and regardless of what we may think of its appearance, it is certainly one of the most interesting-looking vehicles at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
Exterior features include the Digital Light headlights, each boasting two holographic lens modules, integrated into the previously-mentioned lightbelt – this allows for an almost unlimited number of light variations that preview what future Mercedes models will be like in terms of light configurations.
The rear end is particularly innovative with 229 illuminated individual stars, while the front grille houses a light matrix consisting of 188 individual LEDs, able to create a three-dimensional effect.
Inside, the concept takes its inspiration from the world of luxury yachts, which is why the entire dashboard can be seen blending with the body of the front trim section, while the entire cockpit looks to envelop its occupants like the deck of a boat – this type of design philosophy will also make it inside future Mercedes-Benz luxury saloons.
In terms of materials, the show car comes with high-quality crystal white DINAMICA microfiber, used alongside native figured maple trim made from recycled PET bottles. Artificial leather is also present, featuring a finely structured surface that’s said to be similar to nappa leather. Meanwhile, the roof lining is comprised of a high-quality textile created from recycled “ocean waste” plastic.
Then there’s the onboard tech – specifically, the advanced MBUX system. Inside the Vision EQS, digital content can be experienced by immersing yourself within the entire surface of the cockpit. Organically emerging displays and projection surfaces provide you with plenty of viewing spaces, as does the intelligent CONNECTED LIGHT that shines around the occupants.
Other interior features include the air vents being integrated into the trim elements like inlays, the rose gold speaker covers and the jewel-like fragrance flask encased in a decorative holder.
What about performance?
The Vision EQS Concept comes with electric motors both at the front and the rear, which together with its floor-integrated battery help create an electric all-wheel drive system with axle-variable torque distribution. The vehicle’s system output is somewhere north of 350 kW (476 PS / 470 HP), to go with around 760 Nm (560 lb-ft) of instant torque. It’s enough so as to propel the concept from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 4.5 seconds and onto a top speed of more than 200 km/h (124 mph).
Straight line performance aside, the Vision EQS also boats an operating range of up to 700 km (435 miles) by WLTP standards. The showcar will also recharge its battery to 80% in “considerably less than 20 minutes” – assuming you’re using a 350 kW charger.
“With the Vision EQS technology platform, Mercedes-Benz is opting for a completely new, fully-variable battery-electric drive platform. This is in many respects scalable and usable on a cross-model basis: thanks to the modern modular system, the wheelbase and track, as well as all other system components, and especially the battery, are variable and therefore suitable for a wide range of different vehicle concepts,” stated the automaker.
As for what it can do in terms of driver assistance, the Vision EQS show car is equipped with Level 3 autonomous driving tech, which is aimed at longer motorway journeys. However, thanks to its modular sensor systems, the level of autonomy can be extended up to fully-automated in the future.