The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS facelift has just been unveiled and it now sports the “Avant-garde” grille and the gunsight logo, an ode to older Mercedes-Benz models. This visual update also comes along with improved EV numbers and improved features.
Here is a summary of the updates on the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS facelift:
- Larger 118 kWh battery (from 108.4 kWh)
- EQS 450+ now has a range of up to 822 km
- Increased towing capacity
- Increased recuperation levels
- Heat pump is now standard
- New automated periodical use of brake pads to maintain brake system
- New standard “Avant-Garde” grille on Electric Art Line models
- New Manufaktur selection colours – obsidian metallic, opalite white, night black Magno
- Hyperscreen is now a standard item
- New optional Rear Comfort Package plus with Executive seats – passenger seat can folded forward, rear backrests can be adjusted 38 degrees, seat heating plus includes neck and shoulder heating in the rear
- New Automatic Lane Change (ALC) function (SAE Level 2 in Europe) that is supported on motorways with 2 structurally separate lanes with a specified speed limit of no more than 140 km/h. ALC is part of DISTRONIC and it can initiate overtaking by itself at 80-140 km/h.
The most striking visual change to the Mercedes-Benz EQS would be the debut of the “Gun Sight” logo, which has become a hallmark look of the brand. Although this has been dropped by the C-Class, the EQS has finally picked up this iconic look. Whether it fits with the rest of the design of the car is debatable.
Other than the new “grille”, nothing much has changed on the all-electric EQS. Some exterior updates include the new Manufaktur selection colours such as Obsidian Metallic, Opalite white, and Night black Magno.
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What’s more important for the EQS’s model update is its larger battery pack, which now has a capacity of 118 kWh. With it, the EQS450+ variant has an electric range of up to 822 km, a rare occasion for an EV to cross the 800 km mark. Previously, the EQS had a 108.4-kWh battery pack. There are no mentions of updates to the EQS’s charging capabilities.
As for the driving experience, Mercedes-Benz has increased the levels of energy recuperation (or regenerative braking) in the EQS. Its towing capacity has also been increased to 1,700 kg from 750 kg.
In Europe, the EQS also now comes with Automatic Lane Change (ALC) which is a further development on the SAE Level 2 driving assistance systems. It is supported on motorways with two structurally separate lanes with a specified speed limit of no more than 140 km/h.
ALC is part of the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with Active Steering Assist. If a slower vehicle is driving ahead, the car can initiate the lane change itself within a speed range of 80-140 km/h. If the radars detect sufficient space and lane markings are identified, it can overtake the slower vehicle in front completely automatically. The prerequisites are a highway with at least two lanes with a speed limit and the vehicle being equipped with MBUX navigation. The system does not require any further input from the driver to carry out the automatic lane change.
Some updates that aren’t as obvious include the EQS’s ability to periodically use the brake pads to maintain the braking system. This is important since the brake pads are usually not in use due to the strong regenerative braking system.
Lastly, the Mercedes-Benz EQS also gets some updates to its interior. This includes the standardization of the Hyperscreen for all variants. The much more important update is perhaps the new optional Rear Comfort Package plus with Executive seats. This includes a front passenger seat that can be folded forward, rear backrests that can be adjusted 38 degrees, seat heating plus, and neck and shoulder heating in the rear. The standard “Rear Seat Package” has also been improved with more adjustable backrests.
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