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AMG EQE SUV

Mercedes-AMG has officially launched its third EV model and first all-electric performance SUV with the EQE. I previously tested out the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, so you know I had to take the AMG version out for a spin to see how it compares. Here are my thoughts.

The AMG EQE SUV was announced alongside the debut of its standard Mercedes-Benz version back in October of 2022. At the time, we learned the AMG version would arrive with less range compared to the EQE SUV (more on that later), but with higher performance.

This includes new air suspension, steering, and stabilization technology, as well as unique aesthetic design features inside and out. By March, we learned pricing of the American-made EQE SUV, which could qualify for federal tax credits at its most basic configuration.

That will not be the case for the AMG EQE SUV as it arrives with bolstered performance and advanced features. This past spring, I got the chance to be one of the first to drive the EQE SUV in Portugal and was a big fan, so it was a no-brainer when Mercedes asked me to visit Southern California and experience the AMG version. Here are some images from my drive.

The AMG EQE SUV looks and plays the sportier role

The Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV not only arrives as a profound demonstration in initialisms, but as the dual-motor, performance version of a mid-size SUV that has yet to make its own impact on the US market. The dynamic 4MATIC+ AWD experience synonymous with the AMG name stems from the EQE SUV’s synchronous motors, which combine for up to 677 hp and 738 Nm of torque (in RACE START mode).

Unique features implemented on the first electric performance SUV include front and rear AMG Ride Control+ air suspension, an adaptive damping system, and Active Ride Control roll stabilization. The AMG EQE SUV also features Mercedes’s unique MBUX curved Hyperscreen, where the passengers can control six different driving characteristics, via the following AMG Dynamic Select programs that control the suspension setup:

Drive Program AMG 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
(AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package req.)		 110% (677 hp)

The AMG SUV is slightly longer and taller than the standard Mercedes-Benz version, but not enough that that you’d even notice. As you can see in the images above, the exterior features AMG’s unique black panel radiator grille with vertical chrome struts to match the other two performance EQ models, as well as a brand-specific emblem on the hood instead of the three-point star.

When you open and close the vehicle, the SUV’s Digital Light headlamps feature an AMG-specific projection, but it was tough to see and film during the day. There are also plenty of unique details in the AMG EQE SUV’s interior, starting with the images I snapped below.

An AMG interior that is more sporty than luxurious

As you may have noticed, the MB-Tex microfiber textiles throughout the interior are a far cry from the bright white leathers I experienced in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV earlier this year. The seat patterns, red seatbelts, and topstitching are all AMG-specific elements. I personally would have preferred the original leather as I found the microfiber a bit warm in the California weather, and the fabric does not allow for one of my favorite features while test driving – air-conditioned seats.

The steering wheel features of the only leather inside the SUV, complimenting a flattened wheel bottom, perforated grip areas, and silver aluminum paddles for adjusting regenerative braking levels. As you’ll see below, the AMG steering also features digital buttons that control the aforementioned drive programs.

AMG EQE SUV

Other unique interior features for the AMG version include unique displays in the instrument cluster and quick access to Dynamic Select in the center console (see display images above). The AMG EQE SUV also features Dolby Atmos sound, offering a 360-degree listening experience (as long as the song you’re listening to is compatible).

Aesthetics are one thing, but how does the AMG drive compare standard EQE SUV. Well, let me tell you.

AMG EQE SUV performs better, but is it worth the money?

Obviously the answer is subjective depending on your driving and performance preferences as well as the all-important factor of budget, but for me personally I’m not so sure. My drive day with the AMG EQE SUV was a fun one, but not a particularly memorable one.

Sure, the AMG definitely delivers better performance than the standard EQE SUV, but that’s a relatively low bar in terms of EV specs – and the gap isn’t as wide as I originally expected. The AMG-specific dual motors provide significantly more hp (617-677 vs. 288-402 hp), and the splitting of the roll bar from front to back allows the system to be connected and torsioned together for more sportiness, but this remains a heavy, lumbering EV in my opinion nonetheless.

Sport and Sport+ were absolutely dynamic and fun to experience, but I took a couple of turns a little too quickly and admittedly puckered up for a second – you definitely feel the weight of the Mercedes-Benz EVA platform, even with its “AMG treatment.”

The ride itself was smooth, although I found the regenerative braking in the AMG version jolty and annoying at times, depending upon which drive program I was in. It felt as if it wanted to be one pedal driving, but couldn’t make its mind up. This was a different sensation from the standard Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.

ADAS system worked stupendously, seamlessly switching lanes on the highway while maintaining speeds and adjusting to the flow of traffic around me. I also love the head-up display (HUD), which is one of the more robust in the industry in my opinion. It compliments an MBUX complete with navigation that remains one of the very best. I never have to use Apple CarPlay in a Mercedes EV – that’s rare. Here’s the HUD in action:

All that said, there’s one huge hurdle in our way as we try to compare the AMG EQE SUV to its standard predecessor – Mercedes-AMG is not yet sharing pricing. Even so, it’s easy to wager that the AMG version will cost more than most trims of the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, and I’m personally not sure its worth it – especially since the latter is already such a well designed EV.

Electrek’s Take

Overall, I like the look of the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV inside and out, but also felt like its sports car interior didn’t quite fit the level of performance (or lack thereof) this EV offers. I’d personally save my money and go for one of the Premium versions of the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 SUV, depending on whether you want 2WD or 4WD – might be able to snag those tax credits, too.

Aside from the better motors and AMG Ride Control+, a lot of the same technology is present in the standard EQE SUV, including a heat pump and damping – it’s just slower off the starting line. Sure, the AMG version can go 0-60 mph in an estimated 3.4 seconds (using Race Start), but are you buying a mid-size luxury SUV to haul ass at every green light?

I’d take the 6.3 seconds with the EQE 350+ SUV for the 279 miles of range. Can AMG’s version beat that? It remains to be seen as the performance automaker has yet to divulge that information, which is interesting. The provisional range was expected to be between 233-292 miles (WLTP), another big reason why I’d probably lean toward the Premium 350+ or 350 4MATIC.

I think there will always be a place for AMG vehicles, especially as the growing lineup of EVs opens the door to better performance opportunities – we’ve already begun to see this potential in the AMG EQS and EQE sedans. When it comes to the EQE SUV however, I’d rather save my money on the Mercedes-Benz version and don’t think I’d miss anything in the AMG model.

We will have to see how pricing plans out and how the different models compare financially.

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Honda’s new S7 electric SUV is surprisingly stylish and affordable, but you can’t have it

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March 6, 2025

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Honda's new S7 electric SUV is surprisingly stylish and affordable, but you can't have it

Honda-S7-electric-SUV

Honda officially launched its new electric SUV, the S7, in China. As its first high-end electric SUV, Honda says the S7 will set new benchmarks with over 400 miles (650 km) of driving range, first-class comfort, and a stylish new design. The S7 will compete with the Tesla Model Y and other premium electric SUVs in China, starting at about $36,000.

Meet the Honda S7 electric SUV

Honda’s joint venture in China, Dongfeng-Honda claimed “the surge is about to break out” after teasing the S7’s new styling last month. On Thursday, the company officially launched its new electric SUV.

The S7 will be key to Honda’s comeback in the world’s largest EV market. Honda’s new electric SUV is now available starting at 259,900 yuan (about $36,000).

In terms of size, at 4,750 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,625 mm tall, the S7 is about the same size as the Tesla Model Y (4,797 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, 1,624 mm tall).

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Honda designed the SUV from the ground up for buyers in China, claiming it offers better driving, more fun, and more style. The electric SUV wears Honda’s new “H Mark,” exclusive for its next-gen EV lineup. Other design elements include a light-up H logo up front, a foot-sensing electric tailgate, and retractable door handles.

Honda-S7-electric-SUV
Honda S7 electric SUV (Source: Dongfeng-Honda)

Inside, the S7 is Honda’s first with a dimming panoramic sunroof. With a 2,930 mm wheelbase, it has a spacious interior with up to 860 mm of second-row legroom.

Several premium features include a 3-spoke multi-function leather steering wheel, streaming media rearview mirror, a fragrance system, and BOSE sound system.

Honda-S7-electric-SUV-interior
Honda-S7-electric-SUV-interior

Loaded with the latest software and connectivity tech, the S7 has “Honda’s most powerful smart cockpit” with split 12.8″ and 10.25″ smart infotainment screen and 9.9″ instrument display.

Honda Connect 4.0 provides an AI Voice Assistant, multi-screen linking, and continuous improvement with AI. Meanwhile, Honda Sensing 360+ includes ADAS features like active cruise control, pre-collision warning, lane keeping assist, parking assist, and a 360-degree panoramic imaging system.

It’s available in both single-motor (RWD) and dual-motor (AWD) options. The RWD variant includes a 268 hp (200 kW) electric motor and an 89.8 kWh NMC battery pack, good for a 650 km (404 miles) CLTC range.

With an added front motor, the AWD S7 packs up to 469 hp (350 kW) and is rated with 620 km (385 miles) CLTC driving range.

In comparison, the new Tesla Model Y RWD first edition starts at 263,500 yuan ($36,200), with a CLTC range of up to 593 km (368 miles). The Long-Range AWD model, with a CLTC range of up to 719 km (447 miles), starts at 303,500 yuan ($42,000).

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Segway’s new flagship Ninebot MAX G3 opens for preorder at $500 off, Jackery Spring Sale takes 50% off units, Samsung, more

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March 6, 2025

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Segway's new flagship Ninebot MAX G3 opens for preorder at 0 off, Jackery Spring Sale takes 50% off units, Samsung, more

Leading today’s Green Deals is the $500 off pre-sale promotion on Segway’s new Ninebot MAX G3 eKickScooter that comes with a bunch of upgraded features like Apple Find My, autonomous locking/unlocking, and more – all at $900 through March 24. We also have Jackery’s Spring Sale in full swing with 50% off discounts on its power stations and solar generators (and bonus savings), one of which is the Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station bundled with two 200W solar panels at a new $1,994 low. Lastly, we have Samsung’s Bespoke AI Laundry Combo All-in-One Washer and Ventless Heat Pump Dryer coming with a bunch of additional savings at $2,199. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Anker SOLIX weekend flash sale offers, the Lectric XPedition 1.0 and XPeak 1.0 price cuts, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Segway’s new flagship Ninebot MAX G3 eKickScooter opens for preorder at $900

Segway has launched its pre-sale promotion on its new Ninebot MAX G3 eKickScooter at $899.99 shipped through March 24. Carrying a normal price tag of $1,400, this is the very first chance to grab some cash savings on this all-new model before it officially releases on March 25. You’ll be getting a 36% markdown while this promotion continues, saving you $500 off the going rate and setting the bar for future discounts down the road. Head below to learn more about this new e-scooter and its features.

Segway’s Ninebot Max G3 e-scooter arrives as the latest version of its flagship eKickScooter lineup, sporting an 800W motor that peaks at 2,000W to provide increased top speeds of 28 MPH while also tackling up to 30% inclines. With its Boost Mode activated, you’ll even have acceleration up to 15.5 MPH in just 2.4 seconds. The 597Wh battery delivers a travel range up to 50 miles on a single 3.5-hour charge, courtesy of its built-in fast charger, with the timeframe dropped to 2.5 hours after connecting a DC charger cable simultaneously.

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There’s a bunch of upgraded features on Segway’s Ninebot MAX G3, like the Stability Enhancement System for improved handling, disturbance resistance and slip resistance – even at high speeds. There’s also the inclusion of Apple Find My through its companion app to detect and find your scooter whenever needed, as well as extra security in the form of autonomous locking and unlocking via Bluetooth, with the distance it does so being adjustable to your preferences. You’ll also find it coming with dual suspension, 11-inch self-sealing tires, an automatic 6W headlight, an underglow lighting system, and a 2.4-inch smart TFT display that offers the usual at-a-glance riding data alongside navigation, caller ID and smart charge management.

You can also browse through Segway’s current sale offers while the savings are still around, which has the Apple Find My-capable Ninebot E2 Pro eKickScooter down at $500, among others.

Jackery Spring Sale power stations

Jackery Spring Sale drops Explorer 3000 Pro solar generator with two 200W panels to new $1,994 low

We’re almost out of winter, which means Jackery has launched a Spring Sale through March 12 with up to 50% taken off a selection of power stations, solar generator bundles, and accessories – plus, there’s even an extra 5% in savings too. One notable inclusion that is hitting the best rate we’ve seen to date, is the Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station that comes bundled with two 200W solar panels for $1,994.05 shipped, after using the promo code EXTRA5 at checkout. This package would normally cost $3,999, with discounts usually keeping things between $2,199 and $2,799, though we’re seeing it start at $2,099 here, which gets all the better with the extra savings. Having gone as low as $1,999 during Black Friday, today’s deal pushes that rate aside while saving you $2,005 – landing things at a new all-time low and beating out Amazon’s current pricing by a huge margin.

A great option for folks who want one of the more versatile (and larger) power stations for camping, home backup, and RV support, Jackery’s Explorer 3000 Pro provides a solid 3,024Wh capacity for starters. It can dish out plenty of juice for your devices and appliances, with its output reaching 3,000W normally while surging upwards to 6,000W. Among its 10 port options, you’ll find an RV-dedicated TT30 port, making this one of the brand’s best models for motor home living. Recharging its own battery takes just 2.4 hours when plugged into a standard outlet, or you can hook up its full 1,200W of solar input to hit 100% in three to four hours (time increased for the included 400W input here). There’s also the third option of connecting it to your car, which will get it back to full in about 35 hours.

***Note: The extra 5% off coupon has not been factored into the prices below – be sure to use the code EXTRA5 at checkout for the maximum savings!

Deals for your home backup needs:

Deals for your garden & DIY work:

Deals for your short travel needs:

Accessory deals:

You can browse the entire lineup of Jackery’s Spring Sale on the landing page here through March 12.

Samsung Bespoke AI Laundry Combo washer and dryer

Samsung’s Bespoke all-in-one AI Laundry Combo with bonus $100 credit is down at $2,199 ($3,622 value)

As part of the Discover Samsung sale that is running through March 9, you can score the brand’s Bespoke AI Laundry Combo All-in-One 5.3 cubic-foot Washer and Ventless Heat Pump Dryer at $2,199 shipped, with bonus savings (more below). This 2-in-1 unit normally fetches $3,324 at full price, which we’ve seen go as low as $1,899 direct from Samsung during Black Friday and $1,700 from Best Buy (though this rate hasn’t reappeared since). You’re looking at the fourth-lowest price overall and the third-lowest we’ve tracked direct from the brand, also coming along with a $100 credit for future purchases during this sale. You can also save a bit more by going with the open-box option in excellent condition on the same page for $1,759. While Best Buy is currently offering it at a $1 higher price, those of you with a Total Membership will also be benefitting from an additional $100 discount when purchasing from the outlet.

Before I go into the washer/dryer itself, I wanted to just point out some of the other bonus savings options. First off, there is the usual free installation (normally $25) alongside the three-year Samsung Care+ plan for just $1 (normally $199). Second, you can get up to $500 off in instant credits by trading in a phone or tablet. Lastly, you can exclusive savings if you are a teacher, first responder, government official, or part of the military (check drop-down menu on the page.

Samsung’s Bespoke AI Laundry Combo comes ENERGY STAR-certified with AI supporting you through settings management and also increasing its energy efficiency by identifying and adjusting settings based on the different fabrics you place inside and how soiled they are. The AI also pairs with the dual-inverter heat pump, calculating and estimating your electricity costs to “reduce energy usage by up to 19%.” There’s also the ventless design, which allows you to place it virtually anywhere, no longer needing to be next to a dedicate exhaust vent.

The detergent tank here sports a much larger capacity, holding up to 47 loads worth of detergent so you don’t have to regularly worry about filling and refilling in between laundry loads – plus, it also has a Flex One compartment that takes that convenience to the next level as it can be split between 25 loads of detergent and 34 loads of softener. It’s also been given self-cleaning and self-drying tech to keep laundry coming out fresh, smart controls via the SmartThings app (as well as hands-free voice controls), the EPA’s seal of approval, and much more.

You can check out all that the Discover Samsung sale is offering – including daily deals – on the main landing page here.

Best New Year EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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U.S. will collapse Iran’s economy by shutting down its oil industry, Treasury secretary says

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5 hours ago

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March 6, 2025

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U.S. will collapse Iran's economy by shutting down its oil industry, Treasury secretary says

US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent addresses the Economic Club of New York on March 6, 2025. 

Charly Triballeau | Afp | Getty Images

President Donald Trump‘s sanctions against Iran are designed to shut down the country’s oil industry and “collapse its already buckling economy,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday.

The U.S. is deploying sanctions against Iran aggressively for “immediate maximum impact,” Bessent told the Economic Club of New York. Trump’s goal is to slash Iran’s oil exports of 1.5 million barrels per day to a trickle, the Treasury secretary said.

“We are going to shut down Iran’s oil sector and drone manufacturing capabilities,” Bessent said. The administration also intends to cut off Tehran’s access to the international financial system, he said.

Prices for U.S. crude oil and the global benchmark Brent turned positive after Bessent’s comments. West Texas Intermediate rose 5 cents to close at $66.37 per barrel by while Brent gained 16 cents to settle at $69.46.

“Making Iran broke again will mark the beginning of our updated sanctions policy,” the Treasury secretary, a former global investment manager, said. “If I were an Iranian, I would get all my money out of the rial now,” he said, referring to Iran’s currency.

CNBC has reached out to Iran’s UN Mission for comment.

Trump reimposed his pressure campaign on Iran through a presidential memorandum on Feb. 4. Two days later, the Treasury Department started imposing sanctions on an international network shipping Iranian oil to China.

Oil prices fell to multiyear lows on Wednesday as Trump’s tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China raised fears among investors that economic growth will slow and crude demand will falter. OPEC+ also confirmed this week that it will gradually bring 2.2 million barrels per day back to the market starting in April.

The oil market right now sees a drop in Iranian supply as the only bullish catalyst for prices, JPMorgan analysts led by Natasha Kaneva told clients in a Thursday note.

Trump, after launching his maximum pressure campaign, has said he wants to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran. The president said he hoped maximum pressure is “not going to have to be used in any great measure at all.”

“I would much prefer a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper,” Trump said in a social media post on Feb. 5. In 2018, the president withdrew the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal negotiated by former President Barack Obama.

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