It may have a slightly updated front-end design, but it has been reworked 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS hides big changes underneath.
The German automaker’s flagship electric sedan was unveiled with a new 800-volt electrical architecture (instead of 400V) and new electric motors.
It also uses a larger 122kWh battery (up from a usable 118kWh) that is said to offer a WLTP range of 925km – a 13 percent increase – and uses silicon oxide anodes to improve density.
This sets a new record for an electric vehicle (EV) in Australia, surpassing the WLTP range of 900 km claimed for the upcoming BMW i3 mid-size electric sedan and the 805 km range of the upcoming BMW iX3 50 xDrive mid-size electric SUV.
Only one electric vehicle in the world surpasses the BMWs and Mercedes-Benz in this regard, and that is the Lucid Air. As a Grand Touring, it has a range of up to 960 km on the WLTP cycle. Lucid Motors has yet to launch in Australia.
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Pricing and specifications for the Australian EQS range have yet to be confirmed and it is unclear whether the upgraded 925km EQS450+ variant will be offered when the updated sedan range arrives here in the fourth quarter (October to December) of this year.
In Europe, the 2026 EQS range will include the rear-wheel drive EQS400, the rear-wheel drive EQS450+, the all-wheel drive EQS500 4Matic (which will likely replace the existing 450+ 4Matic) and the EQS580 4Matic, the range of which has not yet been announced.
Currently the EQS450 4Matic costs $219,900 (excluding on-road costs) in Australia, while the EQS53 AMG 4Matic costs $327,075 (excluding on-road costs) – a replacement for this has yet to be announced.
According to Mercedes-Benz, more than 25 percent of the components in the latest EQS are newly developed, updated or refined.
Chief among these is the new 800V electric architecture, adopted from the latest CLA small sedan and GLC mid-size SUV, which increases the maximum DC fast charging power to 350kW, enabling an additional 320km of range in just 10 minutes (claimed).
Other new technologies include a new two-speed rear axle transmission and new, self-developed electric motors that are said to be more compact and robust.
The revised EQS is also said to be the first time that a German car manufacturer has integrated steer-by-wire technology into a production vehicle. It is accompanied by an F1 steering lever, giving the driver an unobstructed view of the instrument cluster and the ability to turn without taking their hands off the tiller.
Since there is no mechanical connection between the front wheels and the steering wheel, the new electronic steering system uses actuators and a computer to transmit steering inputs to the wheels.
The new digital steering system, available as an option instead of the traditional electromechanical configuration, is said to have completed over a million kilometers of testing on public and private roads and has two different built-in redundancy systems in the event of a problem.
In the unlikely event of a total failure, control of the vehicle is guaranteed by the 10-degree rear axle steering and targeted braking interventions for each wheel via the stability control system, says Mercedes-Benz.
Full specifications have yet to be detailed, but the flagship EQS580 4Matic produces 430kW of power and 800Nm of torque from its two electric motors, with the rear unit featuring a two-speed gearbox – first gear providing initial acceleration and second gear providing efficiency at highway speeds.
Regenerative braking power has increased by 33 percent to 385 kW and Mercedes-Benz says it can be used in place of traditional friction braking in 99 percent of driving situations. Towing capacities have now increased to 1600 kg for rear-wheel drive variants and 1700 kg for all-wheel drive variants.
The EQS’s first update since its launch in 2022 brings design improvements including a new front design, a “power dome” hood, a redesigned rear bumper with chrome trim and revised lighting elements.
With a drag coefficient of just 0.20 cd, the EQS was already one of the most aerodynamic cars on the road, but Mercedes-Benz says optimized exterior mirrors and other optimizations improve airflow even further and reduce drag to increase range and reduce noise.
No fewer than 125 exterior paint finishes will be available, including a new “Sparkling Black” color with glass particles.
Inside, the huge 55-inch MBUX hyperscreen remains standard – it has 12.3-inch displays for the driver and front passenger, flanking a 17.7-inch infotainment screen in the middle – but a new operating system uses artificial intelligence (AI) software from companies like ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing and Google Gemini to power a virtual assistant with different personalities.
By communicating with other Mercedes-Benz vehicles, cloud-based suspension adjustment is also possible to detect road obstacles such as potholes and speed bumps and then automatically adjust the dampers before the vehicle reaches them.
New navigation features include a 3D map of the vehicle’s surroundings and trip planning that calculates range based on various factors, including wind.
Other key features of the latest EQS include the option of heated front seat belts that can rotate up to 44 degrees and, for rear passengers, a pair of 13.1-inch screens with integrated cameras for video conferencing, as well as fanny packs that inflate in the event of an impact.
According to Mercedes-Benz, an improved Digital Light headlight system creates a high-resolution field that is 40 percent larger than before while using up to 50 percent less energy. The Ultra Range high beam function can shine up to 600 meters ahead.
Thanks to the computer’s more computing power and up to 27 sensors, the MB.Drive parking assistant will ultimately be able to better detect gaps, enable diagonal parking and automatically park the vehicle at up to 5 km/h – around 60 percent faster than before.
MORE: Discover the Mercedes-Benz EQS showroom
