Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4Matic CKD in Malaysia begins, launch quickly?

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) beforehand confirmed that locally-assembled (CKD) EQ fashions are on the best way, and it seems the EQS is the primary mannequin from the German model’s electrical car (EV) vary to roll off the meeting line right here.

As was the case with the CKD A-Class Sedan, manufacturing information launched by the Malaysian Automotive Affiliation (MAA) revealed native manufacturing of the EQS has already begun at MBM’s Pekan plant. The report mentions 27 items of Mercedes-Benz’s flagship EV sedan had been produced in November 2022, however they aren’t the EQS450+ variant (pictured right here) that was launched in fully-imported (CBU) type final July.

As an alternative, the CKD automobiles are the extra highly effective EQS500 4Matic, which boasts greater outputs of 449 PS (443 hp or 330 kW) and 855 Nm of torque from its dual-motor, all-wheel drive electrical powertrain. By comparability, the EQS450+ is rear-wheel drive solely and packs 333 PS (329 hp or 245 kW) and 568 Nm, which permits a 0-100 km/h time of 6.2 seconds (the EQS500 4Matic completes the century dash in 4.8 seconds).

Each variants share the identical lithium-ion battery with a usable vitality capability of 107.8 kWh (120 kWh gross), though the EQS450+ presents extra vary at 782 km following the WLTP. The EQS500 4Matic, which was launched globally in Might final yr, will do 685 km on a single cost, so vary is sacrificed within the curiosity of efficiency.

The EQS450+ helps AC charging (Sort 2 connection) as much as 11 kW and can get from a 10-100% state of cost (SoC) in ten hours. There’s additionally DC quick charging (CCS2 connection) help as much as 200 kW, whereby a 10-80% SoC is reached in simply 31 minutes. These instances ought to be the identical for the EQS500 4Matic given the an identical battery capability.

With present incentives for CBU EVs, the EQS450+, which is wearing AMG Line equipment, is priced at RM698,888 on-the-road with out insurance coverage. If Thailand is any indication, the CKD EQS500 might be priced lower than the CBU variant when it goes on sale right here.

The EQS was launched in Thailand final Might and was initially out there in two CBU variants – each primarily based on the EQS450+ – priced from 8.57 million baht (about RM1.1 million). Later in November, the CBU variants had been dropped and changed with the EQS500 4Matic AMG Premium that carried a extra inexpensive price ticket of seven.9 million baht (about RM1 million).

For now, MBM has not confirmed the existence of the EQS500 within the native line-up and even pricing, so we’ll have to attend for an official announcement. The EQS’ most important rival from BMW is the i7, which has been sighted in Malaysia and is predicted to be launched this yr, though it’s unknown if it will likely be a CBU or CKD providing. How a lot do you anticipate the CKD EQS500 to retail for?

GALLERY: 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ AMG Line