Mercedes Benz is redefining the past while paving a new way into the future with the all-new Mercedes-AMG EQS, the first fully electric vehicle from AMG. Outside of some cosmetic changes, such as the new “drill design” 21-inch or 22-inch wheels, there’s also a large rear spoiler. 

Quicking moving to the powertrain, we find 2 electric motors that put out a combined 658 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque in normal mode and a whopping 761 horsepower with 752 lb-ft of torque in race start mode. This is enough power to propel the EQS from zero-to-sixty in a mere 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 miles per hour. Power is delivered to all four wheels via Mercedes’ legendary 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. 

The battery tech is 108 KWH lithium-ion that is said to give you up to an 80% charge in 31-minutes or up to 180 miles in 19 minutes. Pretty quick for an EV, still a long way off from the fast filling times of petrol. The weight of this car is a staggering 6,000 pounds and has a claimed range of about 330 miles. You’ll definitely want to get the optional ceramic disc brakes for their superb stopping power. 

One other great feature about the powertrain is that it has rear-axle steering that steers up to 9-degrees. This greatly improves its turning radius, overall maneuverability, and agility. 

On what some might consider being cheesy, AMD has designed this car to deliver an “AMG feeling of authentic performance sound” (fake exhaust notes) for start-up and a rocket-sounding driving sound. These volumes can be turned off for a quiet ride. There are five drive modes, slippery, individual, comfort, sport, and sport+. 

Drive aids include adaptive cruise control that has BMW’s route-based speed adaptation. This means the vehicle will keep its speed based on map references of upcoming curves, junctions, roundabouts, toll booths, and exit roads. 

There is also lane keep assist, lane change assist, blind-spot assist, traffic sign assist, cross-traffic alert, active braking assist, and an emergency stop assist that brakes the car in a controlled manner if it detects the driver is distracted for a long time and is unable to intervene. 

Inside, you’ll find what is easily one of the most advanced, sporty, and posh interiors available in any car. The MBUX Hyper Screwen is a massive, curved 56-inch piece of glass that houses a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, the 17.7-inch OLED touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch screen for the passenger. Sublime audio is pumped into the cabin by its Burmester 3D sound system with sound personalization. Additionally, support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging are here as well. 

Both the driver and front passenger will enjoy massaging seats that are heated or cooled and some drivers might enjoy its augmented reality heads-up display. 

While the rear seats aren’t quite as snazzy there is plenty of legroom back there and there’s a fold-down armrest with a pop-out control screen, allowing passengers to control the MBUX system in the front. If you add the Executive Line trim, you do get rapid-heating, multi-contoured rear seats with a message. Additionally, rear passengers also have their own climate control. There are a total of six USB-C ports located throughout the cabin. 

Interaction with the infotainment system has never been more intuitive. There’s a key phrase of “Hey Mercedes” (think okay Google) that helps you give it easy voice commands for most of its features. 

A few ride modes are available as well, including air suspension, combined with adaptive or electronically controlled adjustable dampening. 

On the road, the EQS feels a lot lighter and more agile than you’d think from such a heavy car. It absolutely is a blast off the line and has no reservations passing cars quickly and does very well around hard corners. The tires provide absolutely stellar grip and agility — it seems as if it’s beckoning the drive to push it even harder. 

If ever there were some excellent alternatives to a Tesla at its price of around $140,000, Mercedes-AMG has delivered in spades. In fact, the EQS makes any Tesla seem blander than ever before.