Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV 53 revealed with 505kW

Mercedes-AMG has debuted its first dedicated battery-electric SUV – and it’s a 505kW, 1000Nm all-wheel drive monster.

The Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV 53 4MATIC+ tops off the EQE SUV line-up that is set to debut in Australia in the third quarter of 2023. The large electric SUV line-up is expected to also include two non-AMG variants.

Expected to go on sale with a price tag of around $250,000, the EQE SUV 53 is Mercedes-AMG’s second battery-electric model following the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ sedan.

The headline figures for the EV stormer are impressive: maximum power is 460kW, with 505kW available via the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package Boost function. The same set-up tops off the standard 950Nm torque peak to an even 1000Nm.

Top speed is 240km/h so equipped and via AMG’s race start function the 0-100km/h sprint takes just 3.5sec, claims AMG.

And, like the Porsche Taycan (but unlike Tesla’s fastest), that sprint time does not require battery preconditioning and can be done (say AMG insiders) until “the battery runs out or your neck says enough”.

The Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV 53 4MATIC+ shares its key dimensions, overall styling and vehicle concept with the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV line-up.

AMG tweaks include a ‘Black Panel’ adapted version of AMG’s Pan Americana vertical-bar grille and various aero and paint finish flourishes.

The EQE SUV also debuts a new bonnet logo that pays tribute to the hot haus’ Affalterbach home base – expect a version of this to adorn all AMGs eventually. There’s even a very cool AMG projection from the high-tech LED headlights on start-up.

In a testament to the performance potential of Mercedes-Benz’s new electric vehicle architecture, unlike ICE-engined AMG models the EQE SUV 53 4MATIC+ retains many drivetrain, brake and chassis components from the donor Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV vehicle.

Indeed, AMG insiders say the devil is in the detail with the differences including bespoke versions of the electric motors and inverters, additional cooling equipment, unique suspension settings and fine-tuning of brake components including a unique electronic brake booster and fettled brake pads and callipers.

Battery size, chemistry and infrastructure including charging mirror that of the standard EQE SUV save for stronger cooling pumps and a unique AMG battery management system. Range is claimed to be lineball with non-AMG dual-motor models.

Details on just how differently the AMG EQE SUV will drive will need to wait until we actually sample it – insiders say particular attention has been paid to injecting AMG DNA into control loadings and even the sound (inside and out) of the vehicle.

Double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension is retained from the basic EQE SUV. In the case of the AMG model, the maximum rear-wheel steering angle is reduced one degree to nine.

Unique chassis settings include a lower ride height and revised front/rear torque splits – at peak power the latter is split two-thirds rearwards.

There’s also additional cooling as well as AMG-specific options such as 440mm diameter carbon-ceramic brakes and performance-oriented wheel and tyre packages up to 22-inches.

The Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV 53 4MATIC+ also features a 48-volt AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL electromechanical active roll stabilisation system for ultra-flat cornering and “better load change characteristics”.

Five drive programs are offered (Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual) as well as a true ESP OFF function.

Speculation around AMG’s electric vehicle plans include a drift assistance program but no mention of this was made in the EQE SUV AMG launch documentation.

There’s an AMG-unique head-up display as well as additional AMG displays via the MBUX interface. These include an IWC-branded clock/watch screen.

The cabin is replete with no shortage of other AMG goodies including a smaller-diameter D-shaped steering wheel, specific seats, logos and other details.

carsales had its first look at the AMG version of the EQE SUV at the EQS SUV’s international launch in Denver (USA) last month.

Speaking to carsales at the preview, AMG engineering exec Jens Huser talked down straight-line performance comparisons between the EQE SUV and the likes of Tesla’s top performance SUVs.

“We need to meet and beat customer expectations – [but] we are not designing a car to only talk about at the bar. We need to design a car to delight people every day – and repeatedly delight people every day!” Huser quipped.

Speaking to relative lack of differentiation between electric AMGs and their Mercedes counterparts, Huser added: “As soon as you drive it [the EQE SUV], it’s a real AMG.

“You will always recognise an AMG as an AMG, that’s the clear target. [But] If this [EQE SUV] is perceived as not enough, we will take this information and make it more…

“If we have to trade between efficiency and driving performance and driving fun, we will take the driving fun.

“That’s the reason people buy AMG,” Huser stated.