Zander Drives Cars

In 1986, a small tuning company called “AMG” unveiled a modified version of the 300. This car had a 6.0 liter V8, was all black, and was called the “Hammer.” This name has always, to me at least, stuck to most Mercedes-AMG models since. They’re big, brash, make a huge noise, and have horsepower numbers and engine sizes that would scare Victorian-era children. Cars like the SL65, E63, SLS, and even the R63 have all shown us what the letters “AMG” are about. Power, speed, and excess. Well, now we’re in 2023, and a new wave of AMG models are hitting dealer lots, and they’re electric. Awful, right? Well, I don’t think so. Let’s find out if the future of the scared tuning house is saved by taking a look at the new Mercedes EQE AMG.

Whatever there is to be said about the way the EQE looks has already been said a million times by everyone under the sun. To me, I think it looks fine. The bean is starting to grow on me and I think the shorter wheelbase of the EQE does make it look slightly less drawn out than the EQS. That being said, I wouldn’t call this “beautiful.” For the AMG model, Mercedes has given the EQE some optional black wheels, your standard “AMG badging,” and an optional black exterior package that darkens the window trim and grille.

Aside from those minor cosmetic upgrades, though, there isn’t as much else to suggest that this is an AMG. No massive wing, no huge side skirts, nada. It’s almost too restrained, perhaps?

One of the biggest complaints about the new EQ line of Mercedes has been the supposed drop in quality in the interior. Now look, I’ve driven plenty of Mercedes models both gasoline and electric, and I don’t really see that much of a quality drop. Yes, something like an S-Class will probably be a bit tighter, but the EQE still feels like a Mercedes product. There are plenty of surfaces that both feel good to touch and look good. The piano black is annoying, but everything else felt great. I’ll always appreciate a nice weighted paddle behind the steering wheel, even if it doesn’t actually shift anything.

I think a big difference here is just how different visually the EQE is compared to a more traditional E-Class. The design and materials are both used differently, which can cause some people to think that is a lesser product when in reality it is more or less just the dashboard having a glass pattern instead of leather.

The EQE has, in my opinion, the best of the new Mercedes screens. As cool as the hyperscreen is, it is the gimmick to end all gimmicks. This screen, the same found in the new C-Class and S-Class, does 90% of what the Hyperscreen can do with the added bonus of not being the Hyperscreen.

That being said, Mercedes UI has always been great to use. While I won’t give Mercedes a pass on in-screen climate controls, I will say these ones are easier to use than what is found in BMW or Volkswagen. Aside from that, everything about this screen feels right. You can see everything from your standard maps and Bluetooth to little bits of information on your car like the exact amount of horsepower you’re using. It is easy to navigate, too, which gives this system a point over iDrive.

As driver’s screens get more complicated, when will we get to a point where this screen can overtake the big ol’ screen in the center? This is a question I had when playing with the driver’s display on the EQE. It does literally everything you could possibly want it to. Maps? Yep. Media? Mhm. Following distance behind the car in front of you. You betcha’. Look, I don’t want to fault Mercedes for creating an experience that has everything in it, but we’re getting to a point where these screens are getting almost a bit too complicated to scroll through.

Just have the screen set up to show the map and speedometer. That’s really all you need.

I feel like I’ve said this a gazillion times, but because this is a $120,000 EV, the tech is very present. In this particular car, in Pinnacle trim, it included options such as AMG Black Accents, an AMG Drive Unit, and massaging seats. These are all things that feel right at home in every AMG product, and it is comforting to know that, unlike some M-cars, AMG doesn’t sacrifice comfort over performance.

As for other features seen in the EQE AMG, you get: heated and ventilated front seats with a massage feature, heated steering wheel, CarPlay and Android Auto integration, USB-A/USB-C ports, wireless charging, a very nice HUD, a 15-speaker Burmester sound system, an automatic regenerative braking system (we’ll get to that later), adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, a BLIS system, a 360 camera system, and a panoramic moonroof.

That was like half the stuff on this car, by-the-dubs. Mercedes doesn’t play around.

The Mercedes EQE AMG is powered by a 90.6 kWh battery making 617 hp and 701 lb-ft of torque. This is sent to all four wheels using Mercedes’ 4Matic system and can propel this 5,500 lb EV to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. This is, regardless of how you put it, very fast. The range isn’t awesome at 222 miles according to Mercedes, but like what I said in my Mach-E review, I’m willing to forgive bad range for a good driving experience.

The first, and most impressive, thing about this car that you should know is that no matter where, when, or how you launch it, this car will not break traction. This 600+ hp car stays composed the entire time you floor it, which is somehow even more terrifying than if it were to slide off the road and kill me. This whole car felt both like it was trying to kill me and nurture me at the same time. It was composed through corners, carrying its weight very well for a car of its heft, but also encouraged me to keep accelerating like I was a small child being taunted by a mean adult. I liked it. It made me feel like I was in control just enough for me to keep driving it.

Okay, the second most impressive thing about this car: the adaptive (?) regenerative braking. If you hold down the left steering wheel paddle, the cars regenerative braking system will automatically decide how much regen to use at any given moment based on a million different sensors placed around the vehicle. For example: if you’re going down a hill, the regen will be more forced. If you’re taking a turn hard, the regen will be more forced. Even if the car senses you’re coming up to a stop sign, the regen will be more forced. It was so weird, yet utterly brilliant. I love weird German engineering. Good job, Mercedes.

So, is it a true AMG? Look, it will never have that extra bit of magic that something like an E63 might, but if your definition of an AMG Merc’ is to go fast, scare you, and swaddle you in luxury: this is, even if it will piss plenty of people off, a proper AMG Mercedes. Sorry, Reddit.

As always, a big thank you to Oliver from Mercedes-Benz of Owings Mills for letting me come out and drive, what is for now, the most powerful vehicle I have ever driven. He and the dealership are good people and are also the only Mercedes dealership I’ll ever endorse. Click here to view their inventory.