[Taboleo] Drive the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Electric Car as an AMG

Test Drive of Mercedes-Benz AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+
High-Performance E-Class Electric Car... Emphasizing Driving Pleasure
Stable Driving on Circuit with Artificial Motor Sound
0-100 km/h in 3.5 Seconds... Fastest Mercedes-Benz Electric Car

Driving an electric car on a circuit? Just the thought is thrilling. Electric cars, with their low center of gravity, tend to experience significant body roll and leaning (the tilt caused by centrifugal force when turning on a sloped road at high speed). Driving an electric car with excellent acceleration on circuit curves requires a high level of attention. Mercedes-Benz has launched a high-performance electric car capable of circuit driving. This shows their confidence in electric vehicle technology.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan is the second best-selling model in Korea after China in the global market. Having declared its electrification strategy, Mercedes-Benz quickly introduced the electric version of its flagship sedan, the E-Class (EQE). In April this year, the AMG version of the E-Class electric car, the AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ (hereafter AMG EQE), was launched domestically. This model is a fresh new car that has not yet been delivered to customers. On the 1st, we tested the limits of the AMG EQE's performance at the AMG Speedway circuit located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. We also conducted a comparative test drive with the higher-end model, the AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ (hereafter AMG EQS).

AMG EQE running on the AMG Speedway circuit in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do
[Photo by Mercedes-Benz]

- How does the AMG EQE feel on the circuit?

▲ The fastest Mercedes-Benz electric car. To summarize the AMG EQE in one line: its zero to 100 km/h acceleration time is 3.5 seconds. It is even faster than the higher model AMG EQS (3.8 seconds). Although the EQS is equipped with a more powerful motor, its zero to 100 km/h time is slower due to the heavier battery. The AMG EQE is much lighter and more agile. Especially on straight sections of the circuit, no one can match the AMG EQE. Acceleration in the 3-second range is a speed that most internal combustion engine high-performance cars cannot rival. The joy of driving an electric car on a circuit is also highlighted in curve driving. While electric cars, which are heavier than lightweight internal combustion engine cars, experience more body roll, if you use the heavy center of gravity well while driving, you can actually feel more stability. The AMG EQE is equipped with a dual motor producing a maximum output of 460 kW and maximum torque of 950 Nm. It has a high-performance 90.56 kWh battery, allowing a maximum driving range of 354 km on a single charge (based on domestic certification standards).

AMG EQE running on the AMG Speedway circuit in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do
[Photo by Mercedes-Benz]

- Can you feel the difference between the various driving modes?

▲ Looking at the AMG EQE’s steering wheel, there are two round dials attached at the lower left and right. You can easily switch driving modes using the right dial while driving. There are five driving modes in total: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual. On the circuit, I mainly drove in Sport and Sport+ modes. The rear wheels come standard with ‘Rear Axle Steering’ supporting a maximum steering angle of 3.6 degrees. The ‘AMG Sound Experience,’ which artificially produces motor sounds, is also applied. This is to provide driving pleasure even in a quiet electric car. While the internal combustion engine’s sound was a ‘Vroooom~,’ the AMG electric car’s sound experience is heard as a ‘Weeeeng~.’ It sounds like an airplane taking off. AMG’s concept of enjoying electric car driving is well reflected.

Mercedes-AMG EQE
Photo by Mercedes-Benz

- How about the design?

▲ Mercedes-Benz infused AMG’s unique sensibility throughout the design of this model. At the front of the vehicle, the ‘AMG-exclusive black panel radiator grille’ integrates the Mercedes star logo and AMG lettering, catching the eye. Also, as a high-performance model, aerodynamic efficiency was carefully considered. To create an ‘air curtain’ effect (a structure with holes in the front bumper to facilitate airflow) on both sides, high-gloss black air diffusers were installed.

The interior also emphasizes AMG elements. The seat covers use AMG-exclusive seats finished with micro-cut material and red stitching. AMG elements are engraved throughout, including the AMG-exclusive steering wheel, pedals, and floor mats. But above all, when sitting in the AMG EQE driver’s seat, the eye is drawn to the ‘MBUX Hyperscreen,’ where three displays are merged into one. The instrument cluster, navigation, and the screen in front of the passenger seat are all connected as one. The entire driver and passenger area is linked into a single screen. It feels like sitting in the cockpit of a massive spaceship.

AMG EQE on the AMG Speedway circuit in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do
Photo by Mercedes-Benz

The new Mercedes-AMG EQE interior
Photo by Mercedes-Benz

- Who would you recommend this car to?

▲ It is the best car for those who want to enjoy the pleasure of driving an electric car. The AMG EQE is priced at 143.8 million KRW including VAT. The base EQE 350 4MATIC model costs 105 million KRW. The AMG model (460 kW) has more than twice the maximum motor output of the base model (215 kW). If you want to experience the powerful motor power and torque of a Mercedes-Benz electric car, it is definitely worth choosing.