Latest news with #EQS450+
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mercedes rethinks electric cars with game-changing 492-mile CLA
New motor, new battery and great aero yield 492 miles and 5.0mpkWh The new Mercedes-Benz CLA has been revealed as Europe's longest-range and most efficient electric car. Arriving later this year, the entry-level CLA 250+ with EQ Technology will be capable of driving up to 492 miles between charges, Mercedes claims, and will still manage 431 miles if driven exclusively atmotorway speeds. Although pending homologation, these figures should mean the CLA EV leapfrogs all other electric cars available in the UK. That includes Mercedes' own flagship EQS 450+, which manages 481 miles per charge from a 118kWh battery. That's priced at a whopping £112,610 – some £70,000 more than the CLA EV's expected starting price. That remarkable range figure is thanks to Mercedes' efforts to minimise the CLA EV's energy consumption: it has a nickel-managanese-cobalt (NMC) battery of just 85kWh in capacity. This means the CLA EV achieves an efficiency figure north of 5.0mpkWh – which many manufacturers consider the key to taking EVs to the next level. The CLA EV's impressive range figure is in no small part thanks to its aerodynamic design. Although the car is larger than its predecessor in every dimension (25mm wider, 25mm taller and 30mm longer), much work went into minimising its frontal area, and smoothing the flow of air around it. For example, the wheels are set further in-board of the arches than its predecessor. Small inlets on the front bumper (and corresponding outlets at the rear) guide the flow of air around each corner, relatively undisturbed by the alloy wheels' flush-faced designs. The efforts net a slippery drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.21, just behind that of the EQS (0.20) and ahead that of the Tesla Model 3 (0.22). The CLA EV's new rear-mounted permanent magnet motor is also significant to its efficiency. It uses a new silicon-carbide inverter that brings greater output in a smaller package, reducing weight, while the engineers claim its torque density is boosted by the magnets being inserted in a double-V formation, concentrating their field. The motor also gets a Porsche Taycan-style two-speed gearbox, rather than the usual single-speed reduction gearing. This has a short (11:1) first ratio for improved off-the-mark acceleration and better efficiency at town speeds and a significantly longer (5:1) second ratio for less consumption at a cruise. The powertrain puts out 268bhp, which allows the CLA 250+ to complete the 0-62mph dash in 6.7sec. The four-wheel-drive CLA 350 4Matic with EQ Technology gets an additional 107bhp motor with a single-speed gearbox on its front axle, giving a combined output of 349bhp. This cuts its 0-62mph sprint time down to 4.9sec, making it quicker in a straight line than the V8-engined C55 AMG of 20 years ago. This additional motor is decoupled from the front axle when it isn't needed, reducing energy losses to friction by 90%. This means the four-wheel-drive CLA EV can still manage 478 miles per charge – a smaller disparity compared with the rear-driven version than is typical of most other EVs. Braking primarily relies on the motors' regenerative effect (which can provide up to 200kW of stopping power), helping to keep the battery topped up. The CLA EV can be rapid-charged at rates of up to 320kW, thanks to its 800V electrical architecture, allowing for a 186-mile top-up in just 10 minutes. In addition to the 85kWh battery, a 58kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) pack will be added to the line- up shortly after launch. This will almost certainly bring a significant price cut but also reduce the CLA EV's range to around 300 miles. Autocar can reveal that a hot AMG CLA 45 EV is inbound, too, with a pair of Yasa-developed axial flux motors providing more than 500bhp and a raft of extensive modifications aimed at bolstering its performance and dynamics. The new CLA will also be offered in hybrid form. Specifically designed to fit in the same space as the EV's front motor, its powertrain pairs a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a small, 1.3kWh battery and a 27bhp electric motor. These combine to send either 134bhp or 161bhp through the front wheels or, in the range-topping 4Matic model, 188bhp to all four wheels. According to Mercedes, the engine achieves 'diesel levels of fuel efficiency', suggesting an MPG figure comfortably north of 50. As part of a push for parity from Mercedes, the hybrid CLA will be priced on a par with the CLA EV, Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius recently announced. This is thanks to cost savings of some 30% in battery production bringing the EV's overall price down by around 15%. To that end, pricing is expected to start in the low-to-mid £40,000 range. The EV will go on sale first, around October, with the hybrid following a few months later. Joining the saloon will be a new CLA Shooting Brake. This estate car is earmarked to arrive in the UK early next year with both powertrain options, so its unveiling will most likely take place at September's Munichmotor show. In a first for Mercedes, the CLA hybrid and CLA EV will look almost identical inside and out, as well as sharing a model name. This marks an end to Mercedes' strategy of entirely bespoke EVs being developed to sit alongside their combustion-engined equivalents, such as with the E-Class and EQE. The CLA also ushers in a dramatic new look for future Mercedes models, emphasising the brand's three-pointed star logo. The motif features in the CLA's headlights and rear brake lights, and the EV also gets a flush front grille with no fewer than 142 backlit stars. They surround the main front badge, which is also backlit. In the US, the outer ring of the badge itself is lit, but EU legislation prevents this. The CLA hybrid is differentiated by a traditional open grille, needed to provide cooling airflow to the engine. Inside, the new CLA takes on a sportier character than its more luxurious stablemates. The front seats have chunky side bolsters, for example, and there are more exuberant material choices, such as a combination of black and white Alcantara and faux leather with red stitching. The dashboard is designed around the latest iteration of Mercedes' Superscreen, whose three digital displays (a 10.25in one for the instruments in front of the driver; a 14.6in infotainment one centrally; and, optionally, a 14in one for the front passenger) span its entire width. Thanks to Mercedes' latest operating system, the screens can be used to play video games such as Fortnite while on the move or stream shows and films via Netflix and other such services. The system also features the latest iteration of Mercedes' virtual assistant, which blends various artificial intelligence functions (ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Microsoft Bing) to provide more accurate answers to questions. In cars without the Superscreen, the passenger screen will be replaced with a glass panel with LED-backlit star logos, which match the interior's ambient lighting. Boot space is rated at 405 litres, which is 55 litres down in the old CLA's but, in a first for a modern Mercedes, the EV gets a frunk that adds another 101 litres of storage space. ]]>
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mercedes Starts Testing Solid State Batteries With Huge Range Gains
There's some really good news for folks who have been on the fence about EVs because of their range: Mercedes-Benz has officially started road-testing a prototype EQS with a solid-state battery. This is huge news and probably the biggest development in EV battery technology since the adoption of lithium-ion batteries. The German automaker and a U.S.-based battery startup, called Factoral Energy, have developed a prototype EQS with an experimental solid-state battery onboard and it's already out on the road around Stuttgart. The two companies said it's the "world's first solid-state battery vehicle from a global OEM." In a release, MB said the EQS is expected to hit up to 620 miles of range on the WLTP cycle – a 25 percent increase compared to the EQS 450+ with a 118 kWh battery. Mercedes says there's a possibility that the potential range increase could be as much as 40 percent eventually. On average, WLTP range figures are about 22 percent higher than EPA estimates, according to InsideEVs. Still, that means the EQS with a solid-state battery can go up to about 527 miles on a single charge. That's nothing to sneeze at. Of course, there's a lot of room to grow. The Lucid Air Grand Touring, with its conventional battery pack, can travel up to 516 miles, according to the automaker. It's not just range benefits, though. There are quite a few weight, packaging and efficiency advantages to solid-state batteries. Case in point: that extra 25 percent of range comes despite the fact the new pack is the exact same size and weight as the current lithium-ion pack found in the regular EQS. Unlike traditional packs, solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one. That increases cell safety and allows for new anodes like lithium metal – significantly outperforming conventional lithium-ion cells. Read more: 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: A Value That Comes At A Price Here's more on this fascinating, yet complicated, technology from the folks who know how it works at Mercedes: They also enable next-level energy densities, in combination with a lithium-metal anode. The solid-state technology has the potential to increase the gravimetric energy density for vehicle batteries up to 450 Wh/kg at the cell level and thereby increasing the driving range. Gravimetric energy density refers to the amount of energy stored in a battery cell per unit mass. This metric is crucial for evaluating the efficiency and performance of battery cells, especially in applications where weight is a critical factor, such as in electric vehicles. Factorial-Benz has been working with Mercedes-Benz since 2021 to develop the new tech, but it's not the only automaker it has teamed up with. It also has deals with Stellantis and Hyundai to develop solid-state battery cells, according to InsideEVs. There's even apparently a demo fleet of Dodge Charger Daytona EVs equipped with Factorial's semi-solid-state batteries that are expected to start road testing next year. The future looks bring for eclectic vehicles right now. Let's just hope the U.S. government doesn't do too much to derail all of this momentum. Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
This German EV Has the Longest Driving Range in 2025
In the world of electric cars, one of the most important factors is range. With charging times still remaining fairly high, at least compared to filling an ICE car up with gas, going far on a single charge is something that buyers value highly. If you're looking for a luxurious German EV in particular, you have plenty of choices that will take you far. They offer a blend of plush and comfortable interiors and powerful yet efficient powertrains. There is one model, however, that stands head and shoulders above its competition. Where range is concerned, there is one German EV that can go further on a single charge than any other. It comes close to some of the industry's leading vehicles, without compromising on performance in any capacity. The only problem is its eye-watering price tag, making it exclusive to the one percent. In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Mercedes-Benz websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA and TopSpeed. If you're in the market for a luxury electric sedan, you have a ton of fantastic choices on the market today. However, with range anxiety still being among the top reasons people are avoiding electric vehicles, you'll obviously want one that doesn't need to charge very often. Enter the EQS Sedan. Model Total Range EQS 450+ 390 Miles EQS 580 4Matic 371 Miles EQS 450 4Matic 367 Miles AMG EQS 4Matic+ 315 Miles For the 2025 model year, Mercedes has increased the battery capacity for the EQS to give you a usable capacity of 118 kWh. This is quite an increase over last year. They have also made changes to the regenerative braking system, which further adds to the improved range. With an EPA estimated 390 miles, the EQS 450+ is the German EV with the highest range. In terms of efficiency, the EQS 450+ is the most efficient, offering an estimated 98 MPGe. The 4Matic version of the 450 adds another motor, which accounts for the drop to 92 MPGe. Strangely, though, the higher output 580 model managed to return better efficiency than the 450 4Matic, achieving 93 MPGe. Multiple media outlets have tested the range of the EQS over the long term and found that it delivers results pretty close to the estimates provided by the EPA. As mentioned above, the EQS uses a fairly large lithium-ion battery pack with a usable capacity of 118 kWh. As well as having a large battery and an impressive range, the Benz can also recharge pretty quickly, which is another integral factor when creating a successful EV. The EQS comes with a 200-kW fast charging capability. This means that every model is technically capable of charging itself from 10 percent to 80 percent in 31 minutes, which is staggeringly quick. Make use of a more common 240-volt level two charger, and it'll take a less impressive 11 and a half hours. As well as being one of the highest range electric vehicles on the market right now, the EQS is also staggeringly powerful. Its electric motors deliver a ridiculous amount of power, making it as quick as it is comfortable. Go up to the range-topping AMG tuned model, and you'll be pinned to your seat when you put your foot down. Model 450+ 580 4Matic AMG EQS53 Single Motor Dual Motor Dual Motor 335 HP 516 HP 649 HP 419 LB-FT 611 LB-FT 700 LB-FT RWD AWD AWD 5.4 Second 3.7 Seconds 3 Seconds 130 MPH 131 MPH 154 MPH The EQS comes in a number of different setups. The 450+ is the standard option and features a single motor that drives the rear axle. Upgrade to the 450 4Matic, and you add another motor to the front axle. Combined horsepower output stays the same, but torque jumps up to 590 pound-feet. The 580 utilizes a more powerful setup, but the AMG-Tuned EQS53 is the most powerful. The AMG model can even boost power temporarily to 751 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque. Every EQS features adaptive air suspension, meaning it has one of the most sublime rides you can find in any sedan right now. Being over 207 inches long, you may think the EQS is tough to maneuver, but its rear-wheel steering easily proves you wrong. The AMG model is the one to get if handling verve is your desire, but every model delivers a silky smooth driving experience. The EQS is an impressive EV, with loads of range and tons of power to boot. It is also a fantastic luxury sedan, with one of the most innovative and luxurious interiors of any car on the market. However, all of this comes at a steep cost, with the EQS starting above six figures. Model Starting MSRP EQS 450+ $104,400 EQS 450 4Matic $107,400 EQS 580 $127,350 EQS 53 $147,550 The prices above dictate the difference in price for the different powertrains alone, with the luxury packages being an additional cost. This means that it essentially costs $3,000 alone to add all-wheel drive to the 450. This makes it one of the most expensive luxury sedans on the market, costing tens of thousands more than its competition from BMW, Lucid, and Porsche. For the 2025 model year, the EQS has received a minor styling update. The changes to the front end are a clear attempt to make the EQS look more like an S-Class, an effort that its bulbous bodywork dramatically lets down. As mentioned earlier, the battery and regenerative braking system have both been updated. The interior has also had some work done, with some additional chrome accents. While we're not the biggest fans of the EQS' exterior styling, we have to admit that it is just as plush as an S-Class on the inside. As per usual, the German brand uses only the finest materials throughout the cabin of their flagship sedan. It is also insanely spacious, with enough room to stretch your legs in the front or back. Mercedes' forte is technology, which is obvious when you get inside the EQS. Its dashboard features three separate screens seamlessly stitched together to create 56 inches of digital real-estate. You'll also find features like a Burmester 3D sound system, 64-color ambient lighting, and a fingerprint scanner that locks in individual driver profiles. The EQS sedan is certainly impressive and will definitely appeal to those who want an electric S-Class. However, if you're not a fan of sedans and prefer the practicality that SUVs offer, Mercedes does offer the EQS SUV. For a little more money, you can make the switch. In terms of performance and battery size, the sedan and the SUV are essentially identical. The SUV, however, starts at $105,250, meaning its just under $1,000 more than the sedan. This trend continues through the entire lineup, with the same models on offer, bar the AMG-tuned EQS53. Instead, you can grab yourself a Maybach model for $179,900. On the inside, you'll find the design ethos and the technology is the same as what can be found in the sedan. It features the same 56-inch screen across the entirety of the dashboard. The main differences are the driving position and the fact that you'll have more headroom and legroom in the SUV. Model Total Range EQS 450+ SUV 323 Miles EQS 580 4Matic SUV 317 Miles EQS 450 4Matic SUV 312 Miles AMG 680 Maybach SUV 302 Miles Despite having the same battery pack and the same electric powertrain options, the EQS SUV has a much shorter estimated range than the sedan. This is due to the fact that it is a decent amount heavier and much less aerodynamic. The 450+ with rear-wheel drive remains the best option for those who want to go far on a single charge, though. Again, the 580 beats the less powerful 450 4Matic model. The main difference here is the addition of the Maybach model. This model features a combined output of 649 horsepower, the same as the AMG EQS53. This model comes out as the least efficient and has the lowest estimated range.
