Mercedes-Benz has flooded the newswire today, sharing multiple press releases surrounding its EV technology. Today’s news includes more granular details relating to its upcoming EQE SUV, as well as first images and specs for the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV that will soon join it. There is A LOT to unfold here, so let’s hop right in..
Mercedes–Benz is still in the early phases of rolling out its EQ line of electric vehicles, as works to eventually become an all-electric luxury automotive brand. This transition began with the EQS sedan, which was soon followed by the smaller EQE model.
In addition to EQC and EQB models, Mercedes has been teasing a seven-seat EQS SUV, scheduled to arrive later this year. Naturally, Mercedes, has followed the same production path as its sedans by also introducing plans for an EQE SUV.
The public caught its first glimpse of the EQE SUV’s interior this past August, with a promise from Mercedes for more details this fall. Here we sit in mid-October and Mercedes-Benz has made good on its word. It shared not one, but three different press releases today, outlining details of the EQE SUV and beyond. Let’s start with the standard version.
Mercedes’ EQE SUV will arrive with up to 342 mile range
According to its press release today, the EQE SUV will come more compact than its sedan counterpart, but more still spacious inside. Mercedes-Benz expects the EQE SUV to offer similar range to the EQE sedans, estimating WLTP over 550 km (342 miles) for European versions.
The SUV’s chief engineer Dr. Oliver Röcker spoke to some of the EV’s highlights:
Our large Mercedes-EQ models are so full of innovations that I find it difficult to pick out individual highlights. Even I, as a technician, am always thrilled by the futuristic architecture of the interior with the MBUX Hyperscreen. But, as is typical of Mercedes-Benz, we didn’t leave it at this visual “wow effect”. With the camera-based blocking logic of the front passenger display, we have added a truly customer-centric technical innovation to the imposing screen band. This allows the front passenger to watch TV during a journey, for example, without distracting the driver. And so I could list many more large and small examples of the innovations in this model family – from A for the assistance systems to Z for zero layer.
The SUV’s lithium-ion battery consists of ten modules, and its management software, developed in-house, allows for over-the-air (OTA) updates to keep energy management up-to-date. This press release alone is 35-pages long, so we recommend checking it on your own time. Here, we’ve highlighted some the key specs you can expect to see. Spoiler alert: We don’t have pricing yet.
Wheelbase: 119.3 inches (3.5 in shorter than EQE sedan)
Plug & charge capable
Heat pump standard
DIGITAL LIGHT headlamp technology (optional add-on)
Projects auxiliary markings or warning symbols onto the road
There’s plenty more to uncover, but we’re going to move onto the high-performance AMG version of the EQE SUV, which also made its official debut today.
Mercedes-AMG introduces performance EQS SUV as well
In Mercedes second press release today, it offered the public its first look at the AMG version of the EQE SUV, which will arrive with less range, but higher performance and a unique look only the German performance unit can deliver.
Although Mercedes-AMG has already developed performance versions of other EQ line electric vehicles, this will be its first-ever SUV. The companies have taken the base design of the EQE SUV outlined above and have elevated it both inside and out. Per the release:
Two powerful electric motors and fully variable all-wheel drive form the basis for the hallmark AMG dynamic driving experience. The Mercedes-AMG developers have also designed many other parameters independently. These include the AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension with Adaptive Damping System, rear-axle steering and AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL – an AMG-specific roll stabilization system. Added to this are the AMG SOUND EXPERIENCE and exterior and interior design.
On the exterior, the AMG black panel radiator grill comes with hot-stamped vertical struts in chrome, integrated Mercedes star, and “AMG” lettering. A new feature seen in the images above is the brand-specific badge on the hood with the AMG emblem instead of the Mercedes star – its first time present on a purely electric vehicle from Mercedes-AMG. The front end also features an AMG-specific fascia, painted in body color with A-wing in high-gloss black and chrome trim.
Inside the SUV, the dashboard features an instrument panel and belt lines in Space Grey MB-Tex with red topstitching. The door center panels transition from the center console into the instrument panel in black microfiber and more red topstitching, accented by an AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather with a flattened bottom, perforated grip area, and silver aluminum adjustment paddles. Other unique details include AMG sport pedals, AMG floor mats, and illuminated door sill panels with “AMG” lettering.
The AMG version of the EQE SUV can be equipped with an optional MBUX curved Hyperscreen that extends from A-pillar to A-pillar, complete with three separate screens inside one piece of glass. Its here that future drivers will be able to select from several different driving characteristics, using Mercedes-AMG’s AMG DYNAMIC SELECT programs:
Drive Program
EQE SUV Output Level
Slippery
50% (308 hp)
Comfort
80% (493 hp)
Sport
90% (555 hp)
Sport+
100% (617 hp)
RACE START without Boost function
100% (617 hp)
RACE START with Boost function (included in AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package)
110% (677 hp)
Much like the original EQE SUV press release, there are tons of specs and granular descriptions of the upcoming EV inside and out, so we highly recommend checking them all out for yourself. If you’re in a rush however, here’s a pretty decent breakdown of all the pertinent specs available on the AMG version.
Estimated 3.4 seconds (with AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package)
Top Speed
137 mph (149 mph with AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package)
Range (WLTP)
375–470 km (provisional) / 233-292 miles
Pricing and availability
According to Mercedes-Benz, the standard version of the EQE SUV will begin production this December at the automaker’s US facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Batteries will be supplied from its nearby facility in Bibb County, which currently also provides EV batteries to the EQS SUV.
Based on those two factors, Some version of the EQE SUV could eventually qualify for federal tax credits under revised terms laid out by the recently signed Inflation Reduction Act. However, the pricing threshold for electric SUVs to qualify is $80,000 or less. We do not yet know where this electric SUV will land with its starting MSRP, but hopefully at least some trim level of it qualifies for credits since its being built on US soil.
Although we don’t have pricing for the AMG version either, we’d expect that US consumers opting for the performance model probably won’t qualify for tax credits at the federal level. They may still qualify for state exemptions however. We will be able to confirm however, once we get official pricing for both versions, which should come closer the the beginning of sales. stay tuned.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
The State of Michigan has announced a new partnership with wireless EV charging specialist Electreon and Commercial EV manufacturer Xos, Inc. Together, the companies have secured funding from the state to expand wireless charging availability for commercial vehicles, including UPS trucks in Detroit.
It’s been nearly a year since the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the City of Detroit, and Electreon ($ELWS) unveiled the first wireless EV charging roadway in the United States.
Michigan installed Electreon’s wireless inductive-charging coils (seen below) on 14th Street in Detroit between Marantette and Dalzelle streets to charge EVs equipped with Electreon receivers as they drive on the road.
At the time. MDOT and Detroit officials said the road would be used to test and perfect Electreon’s wireless EV charging technology in a real-world environment before “making it available to the public in the next few years.”
While the public will not be able to take advantage of wireless charging just yet, commercial EVs are gaining access thanks to a new partnership between Electreon, Xos ($XOS), and the State of Michigan.
Michigan progresses as US wireless EV charging leader
When Michigan announced the first wireless EV charging road in the US last year, officials shared hopes that the Great Lakes State and the city of Detroit could become leaders in the innovation and and deployment of such nascent technology.
Following a press release from Electreon, the State of Michigan confirmed details of the new partnership, which now includes commercial EV developer Xos, Inc. as well. The new commercial partnership is supported by $200,000 in funding from the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP), building off the state’s “Make it in Michigan: economic strategy, developed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to invest in the state’s people, places and projects.
Through the partnership and coinciding state funding, Electreon will extend its wireless EV charging network and use cases in Michigan. Additionally, Electreon’s technology will be integrated into delivery step vans from Xos in order to “demonstrate wireless charging technological value and its potential to lower the total cost of ownership (TCO) in the electrification of commercial truck fleets.” Stefan Tongur, vice president of business development for Electreon, elaborated:
We’re excited to demonstrate how Electreon’s technology can optimize electric fleet usage and showcase the seamless integration of wireless charging into daily fleet operations, minimizing downtime and enabling charging across time and location. We’re proud to do this work in Michigan, a state fostering innovation and sustainable transportation solutions.
In addition to expanding wireless charging on Detroit’s first “electric roadway,” the Michigan project will enable the installation of stationary wireless charging at a UPS facility in Detroit. Xos co-founder and CEO Dakota Semler also spoke:
We are proud to partner with Electreon and support UPS to demonstrate the potential of wireless charging in commercial fleets. This innovative approach will revolutionize how we power our electric vehicles and drive fleet electrification forward.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
The iconic British luxury automaker is undergoing a major brand overhaul. With its official debut around the corner, Jaguar’s electric 4-door GT, the first of its new series, was spotted testing on British roads. The new images give us a closer look at what we can expect from the revamped Jag brand.
Jaguar’s new electric GT makes its first appearance
After building internal combustion-powered sports cars for over 75 years, Jaguar will become an all-electric luxury brand from 2025.
The company announced earlier this year that it will start fresh with an entirely new range of EVs. After killing off the F-Type, E-Pace, XF, and soon the F-Pace SUV, we are finally getting our first look at what the new branding will look like.
Jaguar’s new electric 4-door GT was caught testing on British roads. The camouflaged prototypes reveal a radically different look than the Jag models we are accustomed to.
You can see one of the biggest changes is the low-riding, extended silhouette, as opposed to the crossover SUV and sedan models like the F-Type and I-Pace, Jaguar’s first EV.
The front and rear bumper designs also appear much more aggressive and bold than previous models.
Jaguar’s electric GT is being put through the paces ahead of its debut. It has already completed tens of thousands of testing miles (virtual and real-world) and will soon hit public streets worldwide.
The new model will be built in Solihull, UK, where Jaguar recently ended production of its gas-powered models.
It will be the first to ride on Jaguar’s new JAE (Jaguar Electric Architecture), which will underpin its upcoming lineup of high-end luxury EVs with prices over £100,000 ($130,000). The electric GT will have a range of over 434 miles (700 km) and upwards of 575 hp, making it Jaguar’s most powerful car of all time.
Jaguar will debut its Design Vision Concept at Miami Art Week on December 2, 2024. Next Summer, it’s expected to make its official global debut ahead of deliveries in 2026.
What do you think of Jaguar’s new design based on what’s shown? Are you excited about the brand overhaul? Let us know in the comments below.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Tesla has pushed a new (Supervised) Full Self-Driving update with the promised end-to-end neural networks for highway driving.
However, it’s only for newer vehicles.
“End-to-end” is what Tesla refers to as neural net-powered AI driving the vehicle from vision to controls rather than the controls being explicitly coded. It’s already the case in all widely released versions of (Supervised) Full Self-Driving (FSD) for city driving, but not for highway driving, which uses another software stack.
Tesla originally planned to deliver it for highway driving in October, but it was only delivered to a small number of vehicles.
In its latest AI roadmap, Tesla said that it would come the first week of November instead.
Now, Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s head of self-driving and AI, said that the latest release with end-to-end highway driving (v12.5.6.3) has been widely pushed to HW4 vehicle owners:
With the latest release (v12.5.6.3), FSD is using end-to-end neural networks for driving across highways, city streets and parking lots, and has now shipped widely for AI4 vehicles. Highway driving should be smoother, more natural and even safer than the previous explicit control stack. Check out the different driving styles to set speed and lane change preferences. Enjoy and let Tesla AI know if you have any feedback.
However, there’s no word for the millions of HW3 vehicle owners.
In fact, the only thing promised to HW3 vehicles, which Tesla now called AI3, in its last roadmap is this:
Improved v12.5.x models for AI3 city driving
As we have often reported this year, Tesla has reached the limits of the HW3 computer and now needs to optimize the code with every release despite still being far from its promise of unsupervised self-driving.
Electrek’s Take
This is annoying cause I could really use end-to-end on my HW3 car. I am on v12.5.4.2 and it has been a regression from v12.5.4.1 for me, especially on highways.
Yesterday, it almost drove me off-road when taking my highway exit, which is always a bit shaky because it is a short exit and FSD often swings itself into it. It’s a bit awkward, and my girlfriend never likes it, so I disengage FSD before taking the exit when she was with me, but this time, she wasn’t, and I had the new update.
It again swung left before going right into the exit, but this time, it went way too far, and I was in the shoulder by the time I took control.
I took this exit hundreds of times with FSD and it’s the first time it did that.
I am starting to think we won’t see much more improvements to FSD with HW3 cars and there’s no retrofit computer in sight.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.