In India, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4Matic costs Rs. 1.55 crore (ex-showroom). The locally made vehicle is Rs 90 lakh less expensive than the fully imported AMG version and stands below the recently released Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 S. The EQS 580 4Matic has the longest range of any EV currently offered in India with an ARAI-certified range of 857km.
Intriguingly, the EQS also offers a Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom) discount on the locally built S-Class because electric vehicles are subject to a lesser GST of 5% as opposed to ICE-powered ones, which is 28%. Additionally, the EQS and the S-Class have a higher ultimate on-road price differential because most states have eliminated the road tax for electric vehicles.
India is the only place outside of Germany where the EQS 580 4Matic is built, making it the first locally assembled EV from Mercedes-Benz.
What exactly is that?
This EQS 53 AMG is a more mature, rational version of the one we evaluated earlier this month. Yes, just a month after the insane AMG version, Mercedes-Benz India introduced the all-electric EQS 580, which costs Rs 1.55 crore before taxes, insurance, and registration. Even though it is a significant sum for an electric car, keep in mind that the EQS 580 is almost a crore less expensive than the EQS 53 AMG. The fact that it is Mercedes-Benz India’s first ever locally built EV gives us a glimpse into what the company’s future in this country may hold.
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What condition is the cabin in?
It’s nice inside the EQS cabin. There’s no disputing it. Even so, not in the traditional sense of the word. In contrast to Mercedes’ high-end cars, the dashboard here isn’t covered with contrasting materials to begin with. In its place, you receive a huge 56-inch piece of curved glass that contains not one, not two, but three different screens. Naturally, the finishes around the glass are of the highest caliber and feature numerous leather accents as well as substantial soft-touch material chunks.
The panels have a fantastic look and feel, and the primary central display is clear and responsive. Interestingly enough, the front passenger seat must be filled in order to use the leftmost screen. It functions in the same way as the main screen’s interface, however, it lacks several essential functionalities, such as smartphone mirroring. Although it may seem strange to some, this dash is actually rather user-friendly, with switches and knobs that are positioned just where you need them and are properly defined.
The fact that there is a quick access button for important components like ADAS functions and adjusting the ride height on the center console is pretty cool. The touch controls on the steering wheel are still difficult to use, but once they are recognized, the rest of the cockpit is cleverly user-friendly.
It’s hardly surprising that there is a tonne of space inside the large EV given the EQS’ nearly five-meter length. Front seats are upholstered in fine leather and have lots of bolstering. Additionally, they have a massaging feature that you can use to help you unwind even more as you cruise around in your silent EV.
The EQS 580 is a great place to be since many purchasers will spend a lot of time in the back, being driven around in what is essentially an electrified S-Class. Behind my five-foot-eight-inch driving position, there was plenty of headroom and knee room. Despite not being an S-Class, the back’s soft seats are incredibly comfortable. The EQS has all the essentials covered and then some, although there aren’t many jaw-dropping features in the back like there is in the S. The interior of the car features ambient lighting, two sunroofs, multi-zone climate control, massaging seats, a 15-speaker Burmester surround sound system, and a highly adjustable digital instrument cluster.
Is driving enjoyable?
Two motors, one on each of the front and rear axles, provide the EQS 580’s fully electric AWD drivetrain with a combined output of 385kW of power and 855Nm of torque. The EQS 580’s 107.8kWh battery pack is located beneath the cabin floor, and it allows the vehicle to reach 100 kph in 4.3 seconds, according to claims. Now that the headline data are out of the way, let’s move on to the driving portion.
After seeing the powerful EQS 53 AMG, I had some expectations for the non-AMG version’s acceleration and how amazing this purportedly daily EV would feel, but it’s actually quite another thing to experience on our roads. With a weight of almost 2,600 kg and a length of more than 5.2 meters, the EQS is a substantial vehicle. But as soon as it accelerates and you lightly tap the accelerator, you realize you’re in for something spectacular. The 580 accelerates admirably in a straight line and, while it may not reel in the horizon with the ferocity of the AMG version, it is not required to.
No matter what speed you are driving in the city at, the EQS 580 effortlessly navigates daily speeds. The EQS seems at home in Comfort mode, where you have more than enough power at your disposal and the throttle response is surprisingly relaxed. There are drive modes, of course, with varying amounts of urgency for throttle reaction and power output. Despite the huge wheels, the air suspension also becomes significantly more absorbent in Comfort for a supple, comfortable ride on unpaved roads.
The ability to adjust the ride height on the fly if you happen to encounter significant speed bumps is another benefit of the air suspension. The rear-axle steering with a 10-degree steering angle adjustment makes the EQS, despite its length, highly responsive and maneuverable at low speeds.
Last but not least, the EQS 580’s 857km ARAI stated range makes it the longest-range EV currently available in India. Range anxiety wouldn’t be a problem because you are actually looking at 620 to 650km in practical terms. However, if it weren’t for 200kW DC fast charging, charging the 107.8kWh battery pack would need a significant amount of time.
Do you want to buy it?
There are many compelling reasons to choose the EQS 580 over a luxury vehicle with a gasoline or diesel engine. First off, there are very few options available to you in India if you want to join the EV revolution with a high-end and capable vehicle. There are two vehicles that are significantly more expensive than the EQS 580: the Porsche Taycan and the Audi e-Tron GT. The EQS 580 is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, which is the second and most crucial point.
It’s a luxurious barge that can handle daily tasks, but given adequate space, I have no doubt that it would not hesitate to destroy the greatest ICE sports cars on the market. It’s almost an AMG for a crore less, which makes it worthwhile to take into account.