An Pricey however Glorious Electrical E-Magnificence

Originality is as necessary to me because it most likely is to maximum past due 30-somethings available in the market with a space within the suburbs, children, and canines. And the similar is going for practicality. Will have to a vehicle be so cool and complex that it’s a nightmare to function, or will have to or not it’s so Undeniable Jane that it doesn’t ignite any emotion? Oh, and at what level is it applicable to have a yoke as a substitute of an ordinary steerage wheel? The solutions are not any, no longer actually, and completely by no means.

Regardless of its spaceship-y external, extremely trendy cabin, and alien-like ambient sounds, the Mercedes EQE’s premise is unassuming: be offering a luxurious journey with the correct quantity of sportiness that’s paying homage to its E-Magnificence roots. After all, all whilst providing state-of-the-art tech and sharp seems to be that make you are feeling cool irrespective of what your children suppose.

The EQE debuted in September 2021, a few 12 months after its larger and costlier sibling, the EQS. Like their combustion opposite numbers, the EQE is to the E-Magnificence what the EQS is to the S-Magnificence. The EQE objectives to be more cost effective, a tad smaller, and relatively much less grandiose sedan than the EQS. It’s presented in 4 flavors together with an extra-spicy AMG: the bottom, rear-drive-only 350+, the 350 4Matic being examined right here, the five hundred 4Matic, and the high-po, 617-horsepower AMG EQE.

Have in mind the controversy I discussed previous on? Neatly, right here’s every other one. I feel the EQE seems to be nice—higher than the EQS regardless of sharing the similar design language, don’t you suppose? The proportions paintings in choose of the swoopy, free-flowing design, most commonly since the EQE is shorter and relatively raised on the rear, making it glance hatchback-y. It truthfully jogs my memory of the Acura Integra. When compared, the EQS (which has a real hatchback), seems like an grownup orca from the facet.

Inside of, the EQE isn’t presented with the ginormous Hyperscreen, so what you get as a substitute is a 12.8-inch touchscreen within the heart, a 12.3-inch virtual gauge cluster, and a sliver of arduous buttons that most commonly function shortcuts to other on-screen menus—identical to within the S and SL. The loss of a Hyperscreen isn’t a foul factor, because it lets in the cabin to really feel hotter and not more alien-like. There’s an exquisite, blank segment of sprint decorated with picket and a phenomenal air vent in entrance of the passenger. This appeals to my traditionalist “previous guy” mind. On the similar time, the metal-bezzled displays, chilly metal of the speaker grilles, and sit back ambient lights carry the EQE to trendy instances with out overdoing it.

Beneath the EQE350 sits a 90.6-kWh battery able to as much as 170-kW DC rapid charging, reportedly taking it from 10% to 80% fee in simply 32 mins. As its 4Matic moniker suggests, all 4 wheels are pushed by way of twin permanent-magnet synchronous electrical motors and a one-speed transmission. Horsepower is rated at 288—although it no doubt seems like a lot more than that—and torque is available in at a hefty 564 lb-ft. The byproduct of all that drag is an EPA-estimated riding vary of solely 260 miles, although for those who forego all-wheel force you’ll be able to lengthen that to 305 miles.

Using an EV, particularly the fondness and costly type, is normally comparable to striking a saddle on a surface-to-air missile and going for a journey. It’s a laugh for a short while, however the pleasure in the end wears off. My absolute favourite feature of the EQE350 is the truth that its 288 hp really feel extra like 400 from 0 to 55 mph, and from then on it feels extra like a 350-hp vehicle. It’s fast, however you by no means really feel such as you’re simply a passenger. It makes it more uncomplicated to force, and subsequently, extra stress-free. As a result of, let’s face it, riding a hard vehicle sucks. We solely submit with it as a result of we wish to move rapid and glance cool.

The EQE350 feels simply as relaxed popping out and in of parking loads and traversing busy town streets because it does cruising at the freeway at close to triple-digit speeds. It’s flexible, the suspension is swish, and the four-wheel steerage is mild and fast on its ft however no longer such a lot that it felt jerky. You’ll regulate the extent of power recuperation you need by way of the paddle shifters (approach higher than pushing a button or digging thru on-screen menus)—down for extra drag and up for much less. It’s easy, it’s a laugh. On twisty backroads, I loved coming near a nook on Standard Recuperation, then clicking down into Robust Recuperation, and letting the drivetrain’s drag dramatically decelerate the auto as though I had actually shifted down a few gears. I continuously timed it proper and didn’t have to the touch the brake pedal, although different instances I had to succeed in over with my proper foot to shave off just a little extra pace.