Mercedes-Benz EQS

The cabin of the Mercedes-Benz EQS is packed with high-tech features. A 56.0-inch hyperscreen is stretched across the dashboard. It comprises of two 12.3-inch units for the driver and front passenger and a 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment console. There's 64-color ambient lighting. The pure leather upholstery enhanced riding pleasure. The rest of the cabin is a mix of aluminium, wood, and piano black elements. Like most all-electric sedans, there's no dearth of storage space, particularly on the central unit that doesn't have to spare space for the transmission. The central cubby hole is spacious. A small bag can be stored under the console too.

The exterior of the Mercedes-Benz EQS is unlike what the company has produced so far. With a length of 5,216mm the EQS is a big car. The 3,210mm wheelbase creates a large cabin space. The overall design is fluid. The bonnet is fully sealed and can be opened only by Mercedes-Benz technicians. The company claims, sealing of the bonnet makes the EQS more efficient. The 610-liter boot is among the biggest in the segment and hinges upwards like a fastback.

Talk of travelling comfort and the Mercedes-Benz EQS beats all competition. The cabin is spacious and there's a lot of legroom on the rear seat as well. All passengers get headrest pillows and the Executive Rear Seat package. It includes adjustable back seats with massage function, heating for the shoulder and neck, and an individual tablet to control the infotainment unit. The seats are supremely comfortable and have great under-thigh support. The backrest adjusts to the passenger's spine. The car is mounted on an adaptive air suspension system that remembers and predicts the road ahead. It buffers the car from potholes and bumps leading to a buttery smooth ride.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS is available in two models in the Emirates. The EQS 580 is hauled by two electric motors have a combined output of 523PS/856Nm. The motor is powered by a liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 107.8 kWh battery. The car also has a 9.6kW onboard charger. The torque delivery is instant no sooner the accelerator is pressed. Acceleration tops out at a higher speed. But the car still retains enough grunt to rapidly overtake or go for a high-speed cruising. This is not a performance sedan. It's mostly for relaxed and laid-back long drivers. The car is tomb-like silent. But the company has provided two selectable artificial engine sounds. The Mercedes-Benz EQS is nimble and agile. It negotiates twisty roads happily. The steering is light and nicely balanced. Handling is easy both in city traffic and on highways. The car has a claimed mileage of 340 miles.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS comes with exhaustive safety features like all-round camera, collision alert system, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and pedestrian detection. The car comes with multiple levels of regenerative braking. There's an 'intelligent recuperation' system that uses the car's computer and cameras to determine when to draw power back into the battery. This reduces the need to apply brakes frequently.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS has a starting price of AED 756,900. It's hugely expensive and certainly not for the average sedan buyer. It's probably the most tech-rich car in its segment and traveling in the EQS is sheer pleasure. The comfort offered is unmatched. The car has everything to upturn the luxury electric vehicle market with its futuristic design, superb cabin and great handling. It's targeted at the high-end customer who already has a few car cars parked in the garage.