With the new EQS53 4MATIC+ Mercedes-AMG is embarking on the all-electric future of Driving Performance. The first battery-electric AMG production model is based on the Mercedes EQ architecture for luxury and executive-class vehicles. It thus fits seamlessly into the Group-wide electric strategy. The luxury saloon with an output of up to 560 kW has been newly developed or refined in Affalterbach in all performance-related areas. It impresses with brand-specific features wherever the customer can experience them directly: from the technology to the exterior/interior design and the emotive vehicle sound. Also with electrification, AMG ensures that models based on the EVA2 group platform will deliver on AMG brand promise. AMG customers can also look forward to a dynamic and emotional driving experience in this area. The company ensures this with AMG-specific solutions, particularly when it comes to the drive system, suspension, brakes, and, above all, sound. The AMG EQS53 4MATIC+ is the first all-electric ambassador in the performance segment, made in Affalterbach. It is tailor-made for car enthusiasts who are looking for a combination of innovative electric mobility in a luxurious ambiance, coupled with sportiness and agile driving dynamics. With the first all-electric AMG vehicle, the company will undoubtedly appeal to and win over a new clientele for Mercedes-AMG. In addition, the EQS53 is further proof that Mercedes-Benz is consistently driving electrification forward in all of its brands as well. Further all-electric AMG models will follow in the not too distant future, also on AMG.EA platform developed entirely in-house.
The AMG-specific electric motors at the front and rear axles are permanently excited synchronous motors (PSM). The decided emphasis on performance is already evident in the output and torque values. In addition, the Mercedes-AMG electric motors are characterized by an optimum balance of enhanced power, efficiency, and noise comfort. Among other things, this is ensured by new windings, stronger currents, and new actuation via inverters with specially developed software. This allows higher rotational speeds and thus more power, setting standards especially in acceleration and top speed. Added to this is the highly resilient thermal concept, which allows repeated acceleration maneuvers with consistently high performance. The centerpiece of the sophisticated design is the so-called water lance in the shaft of the rotor, which cools it. Other AMG-specific cooling elements in the cooling circuit are special ribs on the stator and the needle-shaped pin-fin structure on the inverter, which is made of high-performance ceramics. In addition, there is the additional transmission oil cooler which also increases efficiency during cold driving, as it warms the transmission oil as needed. The electric motor at the rear axle of the EQS53 4MATIC+ is particularly powerful. A major reason for this is the six-phase design based on two windings with three phases each. The stators with move-in winding ensure a particularly powerful magnetic field. The new Mercedes-AMG EQS53 4MATIC+ sets standards not only with its highly dynamic power delivery when accelerating, but also with efficient energy recuperation when braking. The recuperation output is up to 300 kW. The driver can adjust the level of recuperation in three stages via switches on the steering wheel, and receive situation-related support from the ECO Assistant. Combined braking can take place until a standstill. With the help of the optional DRIVE PILOT, deceleration is automatic in response to detected vehicles ahead until they come to a standstill, for example at traffic lights.
Another advantage of the new battery generation is the significantly shorter charging times. As with the sister model from Mercedes-EQ, the battery can be charged with up to 200 kW at quick-charging stations with direct current. In this case, power for up to another 300 kilometers (WLTP) can be “topped up” after just 19 minutes. Thanks to the onboard charger, the electrified AMG can be conveniently charged at home or public charging stations with up to 22 kW of alternating current. In Japan, bidirectional charging will also be possible, i.e. charging in both directions. In addition, there are intelligent charging programs that can be activated automatically depending on the location. Functions such as battery-friendly charging make charging even more efficient. The battery design aims to ensure the optimum battery operating temperature under all operating conditions. The aluminum extrusions of the battery frame have defined cavities through which the coolant flows. All in all, the intelligent temperature and charging management ensures that high charging currents can be maintained for a long time. Efficient thermal management also plays a part in shortening charging times. If the intelligent navigation with Electric Intelligence is activated, the battery is preheated or cooled as needed while driving, to reach the optimum temperature for fast charging at the charging point. The desired temperature range of the battery is achieved with the aid of the cooling circuit and a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) booster heater integrated into it. The new Mercedes-AMG EQS53 4MATIC+ is equipped with a powerful 400-volt battery manufactured using the latest lithium-ion technology. A major advance in sustainability has been achieved in cell chemistry: the cobalt content is reduced to ten percent, the optimized active material consists of nickel, cobalt, and manganese in a ratio of 8:1:1. The high-voltage battery has a usable energy content of 107.8 kWh. One special technical feature is the AMG-specific wiring, which is adapted to the high-performance capacity. The battery management system is also configured specifically for AMG.
Like the EQS from Mercedes-EQ, the suspension of the new Mercedes-AMG EQS53 4MATIC+ features a four-link axle at the front and a multi-link axle at the rear. AMG engineers have specifically improved the components and configured them to meet the special requirements of AMG customers. This applies to ride comfort as well as driving dynamics. The AMG RIDE CONTROL+ suspension is an air suspension system combined with adaptive, electronically controlled adjustable damping together with rear-axle steering as standard. The suspension components that influence the driving dynamics are new and AMG-specific. This applies to the rear axle beam, for example, which the engineers in Affalterbach have completely redeveloped. The subframe and motor mountings are also completely new developments, and exclusive to the AMG models. This also applies e.g. to the revised transverse stabilizers, as well as the wheel carriers and control arms, which are derived from other AMG Performance models. As in the AMG GT 4-door Coupé, the standard air suspension of the EQS53 4MATIC+ uses two pressure relief valves. These continuously variable control valves located outside the damper allow the damping force to be adjusted even more precisely to different driving conditions and driving modes: a valve controls the rebound damping, i.e. the force generated when the wheel rebounds. The other controls the compression damping when the wheel compresses. The rebound and compression stages are controlled independently of each other. This technology makes it possible to increase comfort on the one hand, but also to make the driving dynamics even sportier on the other hand. The Mercedes-AMG EQS53 4MATIC+ is equipped with rear-axle steering as standard. The steering angle of up to 9 degrees greatly enhances the agile handling of the large saloon. The turning circle is reduced to a compact class level.
The roof of Factory 56, the production site of the AMG EQS, is fitted with 12,000 photovoltaic modules. These have a maximum output of around 5000 kWp and can thus cover around 30 percent of the factory’s energy needs on an annual average. Overall, the required energy requirement is reduced by 25 percent compared to other assembly shops. The bottom line is that Factory 56 is a zero-carbon factory – completely CO2-neutral. 40 percent of the roof area of Factory 56 has greenery, and recycled concrete was used for the first time in the main building. Production of the highly complex lithium-ion batteries at the Hedelfingen plant, part of the Stuttgart-Untertürkheim location, will be CO2-neutral from 2022. As part of strategic partnerships, Mercedes-Benz has also agreed to purchase battery cells manufactured in a CO2-neutral manner. The components weigh over 80 kilograms and are made of resource-saving materials (recycled and renewable raw materials). A new yarn made of regenerated nylon is sewn into the floor coverings of the all-electric AMG model. One tonne of this yarn saves over 6.5 tonnes of CO2 compared to new material. The steel for the vehicle body consists of 80 percent secondary steel, most of which is obtained from recycled steel scrap. After use in the vehicle, a second lease of life is possible for batteries: for example, in an energy bank operated by Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH. Together with its partners, the company has already brought three large-scale energy banks with a total of around 50 MWh of energy from automotive battery systems into the German electricity grid. The first 2nd-life battery storage system was connected to the grid in October 2016 in Lünen, Westphalia.
