Mercedes-Benz has revealed its new flagship electric vehicle, the EQS, which is expected to compete with Tesla and other luxury brands. The EQS is a full-size sedan that can travel up to 478 miles on a single charge, according to the European WLTP standard. The car also features a massive 56-inch touchscreen that spans the entire dashboard, as well as advanced driver assistance systems and a futuristic design.
The EQS is the first model to use Mercedes-Benz’s dedicated electric vehicle platform, which allows for more flexibility and efficiency in battery placement and design. The car will be available in two versions: the EQS 450+ with 329 horsepower and the EQS 580 4MATIC with 516 horsepower. Both models have a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph) and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than five seconds.
The EQS also boasts a high level of comfort and luxury, with features such as adaptive air suspension, four-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and a Burmester sound system. The car also has a digital assistant that can be activated by saying “Hey Mercedes” and can perform various tasks such as adjusting the temperature, playing music, or navigating to a destination.
The EQS will go on sale in Europe and the US in the second half of 2021, with prices starting from around €100,000 ($120,000) in Germany. The car will also be offered in China, where it will be produced locally.
BMW iX: A spacious electric SUV
BMW has also unveiled its new electric vehicle, the iX, which is a mid-size SUV that can seat up to five people. The iX is powered by two electric motors that produce a combined output of 500 horsepower and can propel the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than five seconds. The car has a range of up to 600 km (373 miles) on a single charge, according to the WLTP standard.
The iX is based on BMW’s modular CLAR platform, which can accommodate different types of powertrains, including hybrid and combustion engines. The car has a sleek and aerodynamic design, with a large kidney grille that houses various sensors and cameras for the driver assistance systems. The car also has a panoramic glass roof that can change its opacity depending on the weather or the mood of the passengers.
The iX features a minimalist and modern interior, with a curved display that combines the instrument cluster and the infotainment system. The car also has a head-up display that projects relevant information onto the windshield, as well as gesture and voice control for easy operation. The car also has a high level of connectivity and intelligence, with features such as over-the-air software updates, cloud-based navigation, and smartphone integration.
The iX will go on sale in Europe and the US in late 2021, with prices starting from around €77,300 ($92,000) in Germany. The car will also be available in China, where it will be built at BMW’s Shenyang plant.
Electric vehicles: A growing market
Mercedes-Benz and BMW are among the latest automakers to join the electric vehicle market, which is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. According to a report by BloombergNEF, electric vehicles will account for 10% of global passenger car sales by 2025 and 28% by 2030. The report also predicts that electric vehicles will reach price parity with conventional cars by 2025 in most markets.
The electric vehicle market is currently dominated by Tesla, which sold nearly half a million cars in 2020 and has a market value of over $600 billion. However, Tesla faces increasing competition from traditional automakers such as Volkswagen, Toyota, Hyundai, Ford, and General Motors, as well as new entrants such as Lucid Motors, Rivian, Nio, and Xpeng.
The demand for electric vehicles is driven by various factors such as environmental concerns, government incentives, technological innovation, and consumer preference. Electric vehicles offer several benefits over conventional cars, such as lower maintenance costs, higher performance, lower emissions, and greater convenience.
However, electric vehicles also face some challenges such as limited charging infrastructure, battery supply constraints, regulatory uncertainty, and consumer skepticism. Electric vehicles also have a higher upfront cost than conventional cars, which may deter some potential buyers.
Nevertheless, electric vehicles are expected to become more affordable and accessible in the future, as battery prices decline and charging networks expand. Electric vehicles are also expected to become more diverse and appealing, as automakers offer more models and options to suit different tastes and needs.
