Mercedes juices up for electric battle

Mercedes-Benz is girding for battle on a new front: electric vehicles.

The German automaker debuts its EQ electric subbrand this year with the EQS sedan, a battery-powered version of its top-of-the-line S-Class. Mercedes scrapped plans to bring the EQC electric compact crossover to the U.S., but next year, it will unleash up to three electric utility vehicles and an electric midsize sedan.

Mercedes-Benz USA's new CEO, Dimitris Psillakis, has described 2021 as "The Year of the S," referring to the launches of the redesigned S-Class and the new EQS sedan.

Over the next few years, Mercedes will take the shears to its U.S. portfolio, which has ballooned to more than 100 models including engine variants and body styles.

A-Class: Mercedes' entry-level vehicle is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that produces 188 hp and 221 pound-feet of torque. A more powerful AMG variant — the A 35 — went on sale last year. Its engine is AMG-enhanced, producing 302 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque.

The A-Class is expected to be freshened in the second half of 2022, but the model likely won't continue beyond the current generation. A-Class production is scheduled to end in 2025, according to AutoForecast Solutions data.

CLA: The CLA should see a freshening in the second half of 2023, followed by a redesign in the third quarter of 2025.

C-Class: When the next-generation C-Class arrives in the U.S. next year, it will jettison its six- and eight-cylinder engines, offering only a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder with fuel-saving hybrid technology. The redesigned C-Class compact will have an integrated starter-generator and 48-volt technology.

CLS: Mercedes' midsize four-door coupe is getting a sporty face-lift that includes a new grille and bumper this fall. The updated CLS 450 4Matic features a mild-hybrid powertrain. The 2022 model-year freshening comes as consumer demand for cars slides across the industry. With the increasing focus on sporty crossovers in the U.S., the CLS' days could be numbered. Production is expected to end in late 2023, according to AutoForecast data.

E-Class: The midsize sedan received a freshening late last year that featured two new engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a beltless 3.0-liter inline-six turbo. The 3.0-liter is paired with the EQ Boost integrated starter-generator, which can add up to 21 hp for short periods. The brand also debuted an All-Terrain variant as well as Mercedes-AMG variants of the E-Class coupe, cabriolet, sedan and wagon in late 2020.

The E-Class should receive a redesign in the third quarter 2023. It will use the MRA2 platform and feature a mild-hybrid system.

S-Class: The halo car and profit-generator for Mercedes-Benz was redesigned for this spring and is now powered by a lineup of turbocharged engines. The 500 4Matic model sports a 3.0-liter inline-six turbo that delivers 429 hp. The 580 4Matic is powered by a 4.0-liter V-8 biturbo with 496 hp.

To reduce complexity and streamline ordering, Mercedes offers the 2022 S-Class in just three trims — Luxury Line, AMG Line and Executive Line — vs. nine major packages available with the previous generation. Overall, the redesigned S-Class has 86 percent fewer configurations, Mercedes said.

A redesign of the Maybach S-Class arrived this summer. The redesigned V-12 model is expected in early 2022.

SL: The large luxury roadster is in line for a redesign early next year as a 2022 model. It is being engineered by AMG and will be available exclusively as a Mercedes-AMG model. The redesigned SL is set to ride on an all-new sports car platform known internally as the Modular Sports Architecture.

Mercedes-AMG GT: The new top-of-the-line Mercedes-AMG GT zoomed into stores this summer. The 720-hp AMG GT Black Series, powered by a handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V-8 biturbo engine, starts at $326,050, including shipping. The performance car can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and hit a top speed of 202 mph.

Meanwhile, the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe model receives a freshening this fall that includes a wider range of equipment, including a new rear bench seat option that offers space for up to five passengers total. A new Manufaktur Exclusive Edition will be available for the 4-Door's GT 53 model.

Mercedes-AMG One: Global deliveries of the delayed midengine hypercar are now scheduled to begin in late 2021. The AMG One uses a Formula One-based drivetrain to produce more than 1,000 hp. AMG plans to make 275 of the hypercars during a roughly 1.5-year production run. It will be priced at about $2.5 million.

GLA: The entry-level crossover received a redesign last summer that brought a beefier engine, a roomier interior and a tech upgrade. It's likely to be freshened in the second half of 2023.

GLB: Mercedes' first optional seven-seat small crossover, the GLB, was introduced here in late 2019. A Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 variant, powered by an AMG-enhanced 302-hp 2.0-liter engine, arrived late last year. The GLB is expected to be freshened in 2023.

GLC: The new-generation compact crossover will celebrate its world premiere next year and launch in the U.S. in the first half of 2023, followed by the new-generation GLC Coupe in the second half of 2023. The GLC was Mercedes' bestseller in the U.S. last year. The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S crossover is newly available in the U.S. for the 2022 model year.

GLE: Mercedes' second bestselling vehicle in 2020 received a powerful addition last summer. The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 crossover is powered by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with 429 hp. A Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S coupe arrived late last year. A freshening is expected in the second half of 2023.

GLS: Mercedes' top-of-the-line GLS SUV will likely be freshened in 2023. Last year, Mercedes introduced a Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4Matic powered by a 550-hp V-8 engine.

G-Class: The SUV was redesigned in late 2018 and is now bigger, lighter and more luxurious than its predecessor. The base model has a 4.0-liter turbocharged V-8 engine, while the AMG G 63 features a handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V-8 biturbo producing 577 hp.

EQE: The battery-electric midsize sedan is expected next year, based on the all-new, purpose-built Electric Vehicle Architecture. The luxury sedan will celebrate its premiere at IAA Mobility in Munich early next month.

EQS sedan: The sedan, an emissions-free reincarnation of Mercedes' vaunted flagship S-Class, will arrive in the fall. It will be available in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive and be powered by a 107.8-kilowatt-hour battery that delivers 478 miles of range, based on the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure. The EQS 580 4Matic sedan has sports car-like performance, delivering up to 516 hp and a 0-to-60-mph time of 4.1 seconds. It can be charged with up to 200 kilowatts at fast charging stations with direct current — recovering up to 186 miles of range in 15 minutes.

EQA: The electric version of the GLA crossover will have a driving range of 265 miles under the WLTP. The EQA is being considered for the U.S., Mercedes-Benz USA sales chief Adam Chamberlain said this year. It could arrive in the first half of 2022. Variants with awd, higher output and longer ranges will follow.

EQB: The electric small crossover adopts the boxy styling of the rugged G-Class off-roader and will offer seating for up to seven people. The EQB is based on the three row-optional GLB aimed at young families. The crossover should arrive in second half of next year.

EQS SUV: An all-electric version of the GLS SUV will arrive in the U.S. late next year. Production is expected to begin in June 2022 at Mercedes' factory in Vance, Ala.

Metris: The minivan received a face-lift this year that included design updates and new features in infotainment and driver-assistance systems. For the first time, the nine-speed automatic transmission is available in all Metris variants. A redesign should come in 2024.

Sprinter: Mercedes expanded its cargo van lineup with a new engine option late last year. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel powertrain produces 161 hp and is paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission.

A battery-powered U.S.-made version of the Sprinter is headed to the market in the second half of 2023. The eSprinter will be built on Mercedes' new Electric Versatility Platform and be available in two wheelbases.