Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV won’t spawn AMG version

Mercedes-Benz’s first ever ground-up electric SUV is set to form the basis of the German giant’s first-ever electric Maybach.

Instead of a go-fast Mercedes-AMG version of the new Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, the brand will leverage its uber-luxury Mercedes-Maybach badge as the top-of-the-range model for the battery-electric crossover.

The decision is understood to have been heavily influenced by the strong take-up of the conventionally powered Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 in key markets including China, the USA and even Australia.

It’s understood the expected Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV 600 4MATIC will be offered to buyers Down Under, topping off (at least) a three-variant model line-up for the new Mercedes-Benz SUV flagship.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has already confirmed the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 450 4MATIC will arrive in Australia late in 2023.

Although the current top-performing EQS SUV 580 4MATIC (400kW/858Nm, 4.6sec 0-100km/h) is “under consideration” for our market, it will likely make way for the Maybach derivative.

Instead, a Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 500 4MATIC with 330kW and 855Nm, and a 5.1sec 0-100km/h time, has been earmarked for Australia.

Mercedes-Benz has yet to officially release details on the 500 model, but expect it to not only boast a performance boost over the 450 but also a substantial uptick in specification.

Unlike the 450 and 500, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV 600 4MATIC will eschew three rows and seven seats for four- and five-seat versions.

Speaking to carsales at the Denver (USA) launch of the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 450 4MATIC, Mercedes-AMG personnel confirmed that there were no current plans for an AMG version of the EQS SUV.

“Another brand in the portfolio will build on the EQS SUV line-up,” Mercedes-AMG’s Jens Huser told carsales, referencing the Maybach option.

With the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 450 4MATIC likely to arrive Down Under with a pricetag in the region of $260,000 and the conventional GLS 600 Maybach priced in the high-$300,000 range, the battery electric Maybach SUV is expected to command a pricetag in the region of $420K for its ‘basic’ five-seat variant.

Outputs are tipped to be around 500kW/1000Nm. Using the same 12-module 100kWh battery as the standard EQS SUV line-up, driving range should be close to the 609km (WLTP) figure claimed by the EQS SUV 580 4MATIC.

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