Mercedes-Benz Australia is poised to more than double its range of electric vehicles within 18 months, spanning small SUVs to delivery vans and $300,000 limousines.
Mercedes-Benz Australia is preparing to roll a range of new electric cars into showrooms, from compact family SUVs to six-figure limousines – with a few AMG performance cars in between.
Come early next year, Mercedes-Benz buyers will be able to choose from a full range of small EQA, seven-seat EQB and mid-size EQC SUVs, an EQV people mover, eVito delivery van, and a pair of flagship passenger cars – the EQE large sedan and EQS flagship liftback.
Set to follow around the middle of next year is the full-size EQS SUV, with a one-size-smaller – but still five-metre-long – EQE SUV confirmed for a global reveal this year, and likely showroom arrivals sometime next year.
Mercedes-Benz electric-car buyers were limited to one version (400 4Matic) of the EQC mid-size SUV – based on the petrol-powered GLC – until the small EQA arrived mid last year, though only in one front-wheel-drive variant (250).
The first variant of the Mercedes-Benz EQS flagship ‘liftback’ arrived in Australia last month – but another variant is on the way, along with a smaller EQE sedan, and three SUVs expected by the end of next year.
Here’s every new Mercedes-Benz electric car expected to reach to Australia in the next 18 months – based on information provided by Mercedes-Benz Australia (where specified), and Drive’s understanding via industry sources and speculation.
Mercedes-Benz electric roll-out, in brief
- Here now: Mercedes-Benz EQA250, EQC400, EQB250 and 350, AMG EQS53
- August or September: Mercedes-Benz EQA350
- Late 2022: Mercedes-Benz EQV, eVito
- End of 2022: Mercedes-AMG EQE53 4Matic+, Mercedes-Benz EQS450 4Matic
- Early 2023, expected: Mercedes-Benz EQE350 4Matic and EQE300
- Mid-2023: Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
- Likely sometime in 2023: Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
On sale now: Mercedes-Benz EQB
In showrooms now is the Mercedes-Benz EQB – the electric version of the petrol-powered GLB mid-size SUV, and related under the skin to the existing EQA small electric SUV.
The EQB’s point of difference is a third row of seats – making it the only seven-seat electric car in Australia since the much-larger Tesla Model X went off sale in 2020 – while its boxier body creates more seat and cargo space.
Two versions are available in Australia, led on price by the front-wheel-drive EQB250, powered by a 140kW/385Nm electric motor and a 66.5kWh battery pack for a 9,2-second 0-100km/h time, and 371km of claimed driving range according to European WLTP testing.
Stepping up to the EQB350 4Matic adds a second motor for 215kW/520Nm combined and all-wheel drive, translating to a 6.2-second claimed 0-100km/h time, and 360km of claimed WLTP driving range.
Prices start from $87,800 plus on-road costs for the EQB250 – about $9000 more than an EQA250 – while the EQB350 4Matic costs $106,700 plus on-road costs.
MORE: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB price and specs
August or September: Mercedes-Benz EQA350 4Matic
Due by the end of the third quarter of this year (July to September) is the second member of the Mercedes-Benz EQA range, the all-wheel-drive EQA350 4Matic.
It shares its 215kW/520Nm dual-motor running gear with the EQB350 4Matic – though with less weight and a more aerodynamic body, it’s about two tenths of a second quicker to 100km/h (6.0sec v 6.2sec), and can go about 20km further on a charge.
Pricing is yet to be confirmed for Australia, however if the price premium between EQB250 and EQB350 variants is retained for the EQA350, it may cost about $95,000 plus on-road costs, or more than $100,000 drive-away.
MORE: 2021 Mercedes-Benz EQA350 4Matic specs (published mid 2021)
Late 2022: Mercedes-Benz EQV and eVito
It’s not just Mercedes-Benz’s passenger car division getting the electric treatment, as battery-powered versions of the V-Class people mover and Vito van range are due between October and December, as the EQV (above) and eVito (two- or five-seat Panel Van, below, and eight-seat Tourer).
Pricing has not been locked in for Australia, however expect to pay a premium for the eVito and eVito Tourer over the diesel-engined range, which costs between $44,000 to $73,000 plus on-road costs.
Meanwhile, the diesel V-Class is priced from about $98,000 to $117,500 plus on-road costs locally.
MORE: 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQV, eVito confirmed for Australia
According to Mercedes-Benz’s website, the eVito van looks set to use a 60kWh battery capable of 314km of claimed range (in WLTP testing), while the eVito Tourer and EQV are said to be available with 90kWh batteries with 356km to 361km of range.
DC fast charging will be available, good for a 10 to 80 per cent recharge in 35 minutes for the eVito Panel Van (with an 85kW electric motor), or 45 minutes for the eVito Tourer and EQV, which feature larger battery packs and 150kW electric motors.
Payload in long-wheelbase eVito models in the UK sits at 890kg – down on the 1198kg of similarly-sized entry-level Vito diesel vans in Australia.
End of 2022: Mercedes-AMG EQE53 4Matic+
The EQS will be joined by a smaller brother, the E-Class-sized Mercedes-Benz EQE – riding on the same electric platform, with similar exterior styling, but a smaller body, battery and price tag.
Mercedes-Benz Australia is yet to finalise launch details, however Drive understands the EQE will launch at the end of this year in high-performance AMG EQE53 trim, with less potent and more affordable EQE300 and EQE350 4Matic variants expected to follow in the new year.
Pricing is yet to be confirmed, though using European prices for the EQE and EQS as a guide, the EQE53 could cost about $220,000 plus on-road costs, depending on how well it’s equipped in Australia.
That compares favourably to a petrol-powered E-Class, which costs between $170,000 and $260,000 for the AMG E53 and E63 performance variants – and well undercuts the larger EQS53’s starting price of $328,400 plus on-road costs in Australia.
Powering the EQE53 are two electric motors and a 90.6kWh battery pack, capable of 460kW and 950Nm in normal driving, rising to 505kW/1000Nm with the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package fitted.
The result is a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.3 seconds with the higher motor outputs – or 3.5 seconds without the package – while driving range in WLTP testing is rated at between 444km and 518km.
Feature highlights include 21-inch wheels, adaptive air suspension, rear-wheel steering and performance brakes, while the larger EQS liftback’s three-display MBUX Hyperscreen digital dashboard is also available.
End of 2022: Mercedes-Benz EQS450 4Matic
First to lead the charge of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle (EV) arrivals in 2022 was the flagship EQS – the S-Class of EVs – with a five-door liftback profile, and a dedicated battery-electric architecture underneath.
The EQS launched in Australia last month in high-performance AMG 53 form, priced from $328,400 plus on-road costs – but a cheaper model with Mercedes-Benz (rather than Mercedes-AMG) branding is due in showrooms around Christmas.
With a price likely to sit closer to $250,000 plus on-road costs, the new variant – badged EQS450 4Matic – is set to offer dual electric motors developing 265kW (vs the AMG 53’s 484kW to 560kW), for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds (down from 3.8-3.4s in the AMG).
Energy will be stored in the same 107.8kWh (usable) battery pack, though with smaller wheels and more efficient motors, the EQS450 4Matic offers about 680km of claimed driving range (in European testing) – compared to about 580km for the AMG.
That will place the big electric Benz as Australia’s longest-range new electric car – defeating the BMW iX xDrive50 Sport’s 630km, and the circa-650km of the Tesla Model S Long Range, which is currently off sale.
Early 2023 (expected): Mercedes-Benz EQE350 4Matic, EQE300
While still to be confirmed, Drive understands the AMG EQE53 will be followed by two Mercedes-Benz variants early next year: the rear-wheel-drive EQE300, and all-wheel-drive EQE350 4Matic.
Based on European prices, the EQE350 4Matic may start from about $120,000 or $130,000 plus on-road costs in Australia, while the rear-drive EQE300 could come in closer to $110,000 plus on-road costs – however these remain estimates for now.
For context, a petrol-powered E-Class costs about $130,000 plus on-road costs for a middle-of-the-range E350 petrol model in Australia.
If those estimates prove accurate, the EQE would be the most affordable car in the large luxury sedan segment, undercutting the Porsche Taycan ($158,100 plus on-road costs), Genesis Electrified G80 ($140,000 to $150,000 plus on-roads), and Audi E-Tron GT ($181,700 plus on-roads).
The entry-grade EQE300 is powered by a 180kW/550Nm electric motor on the rear axle and an 89kWh battery, capable of between 550km and 639km of WLTP driving range, and a 7.3-second 0-100km/h time.
Meanwhile, the EQE350 4Matic gains dual motors with 215kW/765Nm and a larger 90.6kWh battery, for claimed driving range and 0-100km/h figures of 507-597km and 6.3 seconds respectively.
Mid-2023: Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
Due around the middle of next year is the high-riding twin to the Mercedes-Benz EQS, the new EQS SUV.
The electric alternative to a petrol or diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz GLS large SUV, the EQS SUV offers five or seven seats, a 5.1-metre-long body, and the same array of technology and safety features as the lower-slung EQS liftback.
The model range for Australia is yet to be outlined, however buyers overseas can opt for three model grades, led by a rear-wheel-drive EQS450+ variant with up to 660km of claimed driving range from a 107.8kWh battery, and a single 265kW electric motor.
Two all-wheel-drive models are available: the EQS450 4Matic, with the same mechanicals as the Australia-bound EQS450 4Matic liftback, and the more potent EQS580 4Matic, with up to 400kW and a 4.6-second 0-100km/h time.
High-performance AMG and super-luxury Maybach versions are slated to follow over the coming years – mirroring equivalent versions of the petrol or diesel-engined GLS SUV.
Prices for the EQS SUV variants are likely to come in higher than equivalent EQS liftback model grades.
Sometime in 2023 (expected): Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
The current wave of new Mercedes-Benz electric cars will be completed by the EQE SUV – the high-riding version of the EQE sedan, and a smaller sibling to the EQS SUV.
Australian launch timing is yet to be confirmed, however with a European launch slated to occur before the end of this year, it’s understood the first examples may be in Australian showrooms before the end of next year.
Few firm details of the EQE SUV are known, however reports suggest it will measure 4850mm long – 80mm shorter than its petrol- and diesel-engined equivalent, the GLE large SUV.
It’s set to be underpinned by the same ‘EVA2’ electric-car platform as the other EQE- and EQS-badged models, offering a 90.6kWh battery pack, and a number of variants rumoured to span from a 215kW entry-level model, to at least one high-performance AMG version.
Prices are yet to be confirmed for any market, however expect it to command a price premium
Which of Mercedes-Benz’s new electric vehicles are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments.
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