Mercedes Benz EQS To Launch In India In 2022
It began with the local assembly of luxury limousines such as the S-class, then expanded to the super-luxury Maybach and high-performance AMG brands, and has now been extended to the world of high-tech luxury EVs, with Mercedes-Benz confirming local assembly of its upcoming Mercedes Benz EQS sedan in Chakan, Maharashtra in 2022.
The Mercedes Benz EQS is the brand’s first all-electric luxury limousine, dubbed the “S class of EVs” due to its nomenclature. More importantly, it is the brand’s first ‘born electric’ EV, built on a dedicated electric platform known as EVA rather than an existing ICE model, like the EQC, EQA, an EQB.
It certainly outperforms the S class in terms of technology, with features like the ‘Hyperscreen’ – three interconnected screens that span the width of the dashboard – potentially surpassing even the S class’s level of luxury thanks to its silent powertrain and greater interior space afforded by its born-electric platform (the standard-wheelbase EQS is said to offer the same rear-seat space as the long-wheelbase S class).
It’s unclear whether the 334hp EQS 450+ or the 523hp EQS 580 will be available in India. Both use a 107.8kWh battery with a WLTP-rated range of up to 770km. There is also a high-performance AMG EQS 53 model, which may come to India at a later date.
The fact that Mercedes has announced the local assembly of the EQS before the car has even been released is a significant statement. Sure, there may be a limited number of ‘Launch Edition’ models imported as full CBU imports for the first wave of customers, as was done with the new S Class and several other Mercedes models, but locally assembled units are expected to go on sale in the fourth quarter of the year.
The reason for this timetable is that not only will the Chakan plant require upgrades to accommodate the EQS’s electric powertrain, a vehicle that, of course, does not share a platform with any existing locally built model, but the staff will also need to be trained to build this new model with its unique powertrain.
It also demonstrates the brand’s commitment to EVs in India. The EQC was India’s first luxury EV, but Jaguar quickly followed with the I-Pace, and Audi followed with three versions of the e-tron SUV and the e-tron GT four-door coupe. All of those models, however, were full CBU imports, and Mercedes could gain the upper hand and take the lead from the top of the pyramid with the local assembly of its flagship EV.
And, with the start of EV local assembly with the EQS, opens the door for future EVs, such as the upcoming Mercedes EQE, which is built on the same EVA platform, to be easily assembled locally.
Apart from the announcement of the Mercedes Benz EQS local assembly, Mercedes has confirmed that a number of new model launches will take place in the coming year, with models coming from all four of the company’s sub-brands. Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs are expected to account for the lion’s share of these, which will most likely include the new C-class sedan.
The new Mercedes Maybach S 580, a stretched, more luxurious version of the S class, will be launched in March 2022 and will most likely be locally assembled at Chakan. The Mercedes AMG GT Black Series will be launched from the Affalterbach high-performance stable, while the GT 63 S e-performance and all-new SL roadster could potentially join those ranks.
The EQ electric brand will likely include the reintroduction of the EQC SUV, as well as the introduction of the AMG EQS 53, the new EQE sedan, and possibly the EQB small SUV.
