New Mercedes-Benz EQE – Official South African pricing lower than estimated

Mercedes-Benz has listed the pricing of the EQE sedan, showing that the electric vehicle (EV) is available from R1,642,000 for the entry-level 350+ and R2,025,000 for the AMG 43.

While still prohibitively expensive for most people, the official pricing is lower than the “estimated price” that the manufacturer’s local subsidiary provided in February, which stood at R1,800,000 and R2,200,000 respectively – 8% higher in both cases.

The EQE is the second-most-luxurious EV nameplate Mercedes builds, offering “all the essential functions of the EQS in a slightly more compact format.”

EQE specifications

The EQE 350+ is driven by a single electric motor mounted at the rear generating 215kW and 565Nm, enabling it to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds.

The AMG variant adds another motor to the front axle for an all-wheel-drive configuration resulting in a combined power output of 350kW and 858Nm, thus bringing the 0-100km/h time down to 4.2 seconds.

Top speed for both EVs is limited to 210km/h, and both are equipped with a 90.56kWh battery pack that provides a driving range of up to 645km in the 350+ and 535km in the 43.

This battery module is capable of a maximum 170kW DC charging current, which will see the EQE go from 10-80% charge in approximately 32 minutes.

On a three-phase AC cable, a full 0-100% charge takes nine hours and 15 minutes with an 11kW plug, and four hours and 45 minutes when using a 22kW outlet.

Inside the EQE, owners are spoiled with the latest technologies and finest materials the luxurious marque has at its disposal.

Standard kit comprises a 12.8-inch central display with smartphone integration and mini-games, a 12.3-inch driver display, a wireless charger, Artico man-made leather/microfibre upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and a fingerprint scanner.

The sedan also provides keyless entry and start, an electric tailgate, automatic LED lights with adaptive high-beam assist, active steering assist, evasive manoeuvre support, lane-departure assistant, traffic sign assist, and 360-degree cameras with parking assist.

Optionally, the Mercedes can be equipped with Airmatic air suspension with adaptive damping, the AMG Dynamic Plus package, rear-axle steering which reduces the turning circle from 12.5 to 10.7 metres, and the MBUX hyperscreen that turns the entire front fascia into a high-definition widescreen.

Each purchase of the EQE includes a 2-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, an 8-year/160,000km battery warranty, and a 5-year/100,000km PremiumDrive maintenance plan.