AMG is on a path of discovery proper now. Mercedes’ efficiency wing is on the absolute prime of its sport producing a variety of gasoline-powered efficiency autos, however now it has to discover a new manner ahead as Mercedes brings extra EVs into its lineup. The 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE is its second try at reworking an everyday Mercedes-Benz mannequin right into a fire-breathing AMG. The primary was the large AMG EQS, which we discovered to be a reliable Mercedes-Benz, however not a convincing AMG. Turning a Mercedes sporting the letter E into an AMG is a good better problem, although, as the most popular E-Lessons have arguably been the definitive AMG going again to the Hammer. To say the duty is a tough one for Affalterbach is an understatement.
Go forward and overlook lots of the stuff you’ve recognized about AMG for years (many years for a few of us) as a result of the longer term goes to be totally different. AMG doesn’t have the identical fallbacks it may possibly depend on to get lovers enthusiastic about its merchandise. There’s no rip-snorting V8, melodious inline-six or absurdly boosted four-cylinder to deliver the drama. Extra so than many efficiency manufacturers, an AMG has been about shopping for a automotive with a particular engine — in spite of everything, constructing race engines is how AMG obtained its begin.
Electrical motors? Effectively, they’re quiet. However there’s no doubting the efficiency numbers this new-age AMG places up. The twin-motor AWD setup within the AMG EQE combines for a complete output of 617 horsepower and 701 pound-feet of torque. Use the “Race Begin” launch management, and presuming you mentioned sure to the AMG Dynamic Plus package deal, output is quickly boosted to 677 horses and 738 kilos of twist (greater than any E-Class AMG mannequin has ever had), permitting 60 mph to reach in simply 3.2 seconds. That’s faster than the AMG E 63 S Sedan, however solely by one-tenth of a second. With out the additional efficiency package deal, it’s 3.4 seconds, making you slower than the gas-powered AMG. What a disgrace, proper?
The AMG EQE comes with some necessities to get the quickest acceleration, with probably the most prohibitive being that you could have better than a 70% cost of the 90.6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack to get most efficiency. You’ll additionally must be sure you’re in Sport+ mode for the total horsepower, be it 617 or 677, as Mercedes limits energy output in lesser drive modes. With these met, you possibly can let it rip.
Whenever you do, we hope you’re prepared for some wild spaceship noises, as a result of that’s the theme AMG went for with this EV. You possibly can select between “Efficiency” or “Genuine” modes, however we discovered each to be annoying and decidedly inauthentic. The launch management sequence intensifies the sound results performed over the audio system, and whereas the quantity could also be excessive within the cabin, it’s not the kind of noise lovers would anticipate from their high-performance Mercedes. Or any automotive, really. It’s cartoon-ish and sounds extra like what you’d anticipate from a hovercraft arcade online game. In contrast, the Porsche Taycan’s synthetic noises replicate the sound of an electrical motor and is tuned to make it seem to be the sound is emanating from that motor, versus simply indiscriminately filling the cabin. You’ll want to listen to the AMG for your self to return to a last conclusion, however as soon as the novelty wore off, I shortly uninterested in it. Fortunately, you possibly can flip off all of the noises if you wish to.
AMG is aware of that with out its customary loud engines and exhaust, it must do one thing to make its EVs be extra than simply quicker common Mercedes fashions. Nonetheless, I discover it onerous to consider that somebody who adores the snarl and aggression from the hand-built AMG V8 will discover the spacey in-cabin noises of this EQE extra satisfying in any manner. The choice proposed by Dodge with its Fratzonic Chambered “exhaust system” is worthy of its personal debate, however in these early days of EV efficiency automobiles, there’s no telling which course producers will take.
If the foolish faux noises aren’t a dealbreaker for you, the AMG EQE positively affords an entire lot of driving pleasure that any fanatic can get behind. Per regular, AMG went to work on altering just about all the pieces beneath the EQE to make it extra enjoyable to drive. It’s outfitted with AMG-specific wheel carriers, suspension hyperlinks, anti-roll bars, adaptive dampers and air suspension tuning. It additionally will get an “AMG Efficiency 4Matic+” model of all-wheel drive — Sport and Sport+ modes lock you right into a extra rear-biased program, and AMG makes positive you realize it.
In true AMG vogue, the EQE is fast to chuck its tail out. In a good nook or below onerous preliminary acceleration with a bit wheel angle, you’re going to be despatched sideways. Whenever you wish to hold it clear, the usual rear-axle steering of as much as 3.6 levels makes this huge, lengthy sedan flip into tight corners rapidly. Its air suspension doesn’t wallow or include the form of floatiness some efficiency automobiles with air suspensions exhibit. As a substitute, it stays buttoned down and shrugs off mid-corner bumps with management and sufficient forgiveness that you just received’t be knocked off your line. Even the steering is properly carried out with a correct quantity of heft and tuning that communicates what’s occurring down at these huge tires. If there’s one factor about this EQE that AMG completely nailed, it’s the dealing with, as a result of this sedan will tear by means of a technical highway with out breaking a sweat.
Whenever you go to get on the brakes, it’s a unique story. As we’ve discovered all through the EQ lineup, the transition between regenerative and mechanical braking is unnatural and tough to modulate. Braking energy versus pedal despair merely doesn’t really feel linear, and I discovered myself usually cursing the impossible-to-learn transition and odd brake pedal really feel. Should you can one-pedal it round a highway utilizing the utmost regen mode, all the pieces is hunky-dory, however begin to ask these huge six-piston entrance and single-piston rear AMG brakes to do their job, and the ultimate tuning simply feels out of whack from what you anticipate out of a efficiency braking system. Carbon ceramics are non-compulsory, and whereas our automotive wasn’t outfitted with them, it’s onerous to think about the brake-by-wire tuning to be a lot totally different. This result’s much more disappointing contemplating AMG makes use of a particular brake “i-Booster” for the AMG mannequin in an effort to make the brakes really feel extra like what you’d anticipate out of a efficiency mannequin.
The AMG EQE positive factors its shine again in day by day driving duties. A sure degree of discomfort within the title of dealing with is anticipated from an AMG mannequin, however there’s just about no compromise to the trip high quality with this sport sedan. Mercedes’ repeatedly adjustable dampers work wonders on a poor highway, because the EQE fortunately sops up potholes, frost heaves and anything Michigan roads should throw at it. Contemplating how effectively the AMG EQE handles, this degree of consolation got here as a pleasing shock. To make use of numbers (because the AMG EQ fashions don’t), it’s most akin to an AMG 53 than 63 mannequin so far as trip consolation goes. It’s not tuned with a singular focus towards dealing with, which is apt for a automotive that can probably be used as an on a regular basis car.
So, how about that EV cred? Vary from the 90.6 kWh battery pack sits at a low EPA-rated 225 miles. Essentially the most vary you’ll get out of any EQE mannequin is the RWD 350+, which is rated for 305 miles. Stepping as much as the 350 4Matic or 500 4Matic drops you all the way down to 260 miles, so an additional hit all the way down to 225 miles is to be anticipated out of the efficiency mannequin. It additionally places the AMG EQE in the identical vary as some Porsche Taycan variants. Nonetheless, a most charging pace of simply 170 kW is nowhere close to the Porsche’s speedy most of 270 kW. Mercedes doesn’t say precisely how lengthy a 10-80% cost may take below perfect DC fast-charging situations, however with its battery measurement and cost pace, we suspect it’d take a bit over half-hour. Actual-world testing noticed our charging speeds peak slightly below 170 kW. For these in colder climates, know that the AMG EQE additionally comes with a pre-conditioning program that can warmth the battery up for quick charging in your approach to the charger.
I’ve saved considered one of my greatest beefs with the AMG EQE for the top, which is the design. It simply doesn’t seem like an AMG. Certain, the styling is incrementally improved over the usual EQE with its lined grille, AMG-specific wheels and mini trunk spoiler, however none of it goes far sufficient. There are not any bulging fenders, sporting diffusers or any sense of event. This lack of AMG-ness can largely be attributed to Mercedes’ EQ automotive styling being blander than toast, nevertheless it’s highlighted to a good better diploma while you slap AMG badges on the entrance and rear. I anticipate an AMG to have immediately recognizable curb enchantment that screams German efficiency, and this design simply doesn’t minimize it.
At the least the inside feels match for its $108,050 worth. Apparently, you possibly can’t spec the AMG model of the EQE with Mercedes’ expansive Hyperscreen, leaving you the extra conventional portrait show with MBUX within the middle and a free-standing instrument cluster in entrance of the driving force. The inside feels extra upscale with out the additional passenger display, because it replaces that space with decadent wooden trim. That’s a win, and so is the backseat area, useable trunk, glorious driver help methods and snappy infotainment. In some ways, it’s an ideal Benz. However I feel AMG nonetheless has work to do in its transition to the EV age. This second strive does an entire lot proper, nevertheless it suffers from related points because the AMG EQS did, which in the end holds it again from being an ideal AMG efficiency sedan.
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