Mercedes-Benz’s electric revolution is charging ahead.
The German brand has launched its new EQE electric sedan in Australia. The EQE is the brand’s sixth electric vehicle and it comes with a special skill.
The EQE is one of the most aerodynamic vehicles in the world with a drag coefficient of 0.22, which is up there with supersonic fighter jets. The only car to beat the EQE is its big brother the EQS.
Aerodynamics are very important for electric cars because the easier the vehicle passes through the air the less energy it uses to move, which helps improve driving range.
Mercedes-Benz is launching the EQE in Australia with three variants: the EQE 300, 350 and the performance focused AMG 53.
Prices start at $134,900 (before on-road costs) for the 300, rise to $154,900 for the 350 and top-out at $214,900 for the AMG version.
All models promise some driving thrills, too.
The 300 version is powered by an electric motor on the rear axle that is good for 180kW and 550Nm. It can hit the 100km/h mark from a standstill in 7.3 seconds.
It is fitted with a big 89kWh battery that has a driving range of up to 626km.
The EQE 350 has a second motor that is mounted on the front axle to provide all-wheel drive and deliver a potent 215kW and 765Nm.
The extra grunt helps lower its 0-100km/h time to 6.3 seconds but it also reduces its driving range to 590km.
If you’re after neck-breaking speed then the AMG 53 is the car for you.
Mercedes-Benz has ramped up performance by squeezing 460kW and 950Nm out of its two motors that help propel it to 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds, which makes it one of the fastest vehicles in Benz’s range and similar to its old-school V8-powered muscle cars.
All versions come with an extensive list of safety equipment that is headlined by 10 airbags, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and front and rear auto braking.
The central screen features a futuristic finger scanner to identify and load individual profiles.
Its 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels add some road presence and higher-grade versions benefit from AMG styling highlights.
Mercedes-Benz covers all its vehicles with a five-year/unlimited km warranty and the battery is guaranteed for 10 years or 250,000km.