Mercedes-Benz reveals EQS EV interior before worldwide debut on April 15th
Mercedes-Benz has shown us the production ready interior of its upcoming EQS sedan, and its a thing of illuminated beauty if timber, glass and OLEDs are your thing. The EQS is the flagship vehicle for Mercedes-Benz’ EQ brand—literally the S-Class of the electric world—so you can expect that the designers have gone all out.
Mercedes-Benz has shown us the production ready interior of its upcoming EQS sedan, and its a thing of illuminated beauty if timber, glass and OLEDs are your thing. The EQS is the flagship vehicle for Mercedes-Benz’ EQ brand—literally the S-Class of the electric world—so you can expect that the designers have gone all out.
The MBUX Hyperscreen is the (optional) pièce de résistance, combining all features of the drivers’ instrument panel, dashboard and infotainment into a single glass panel. Mercedes-Benz likes to reference historical details, and the thin silver shadow frame around the screen, combined with the single ventilation band and a narrow leather frame are reminiscent of classic instrument panels according to the automaker.
If one doesn’t option the Hyperscreen, the interior looks quite similar to the latest W223 S-Class. with a single, vertically mounted touchscreen. The EQS is set to debut on April 15, before going on sale in July/August 2021. Scroll down for 10 interesting facts about the interior of the EQS:
The EQS interior with hyperscreen and floating centre console.
10 interesting facts about the interior of the EQS:
With the MBUX Hyperscreen, multiple displays merge seamlessly to create an impressive curved screen band over 141 centimetres wide. The area perceived by the occupants measures 2432.11 sq. cm.
The large glass covering the MBUX Hyperscreen is curved in three dimensions in a moulding process at temperatures of approx. 650°C.
The HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air) as part of the optional equipment ENERGIZING AIR CONTROL Plus cleans the incoming outside air at its very high filtration level. Over 99.65 percent of particles of all sizes are eliminated, and the adsorption area is equivalent to about 150 football fields.
The key applications are always offered on the top level in the field of vision, depending on the situation and context, as part of Mercedes’ “zero-layer design”.
The "Mercedes-Benz pattern" is used in several places in the EQS interior such as on the backlit trim elements or on the passenger display as a digital decorative image. It is an abstracted, three-dimensional star pattern based on an early trademark of the Daimler Motorengesellschaft.
The EQS comes with the two soundscapes Silver Waves and Vivid Flux, and they can be selected or switched off as sound experiences on the central display. The algorithms and sounds for the sound design are created in-house at Mercedes-EQ by physicists, sound designers, media designers and mechatronics specialists.
Mercedes-Benz is showcasing its modern, leather-free material for the interior, NEOTEX. According to the company, it “combines the look of nubuck leather and high-tech neoprene”. There are eight coordinated colour combinations in the interior.
More than 40 new inventions have found their way into EQS. In addition, 20 design applications protect the design of the vehicle.
The design of the door panels borrows from the interior design of modern living spaces. Doors and their centre panels emerge from behind the MBUX Hyperscreen to span the space. A surface-mounted modular body floats like a sideboard in front of the door panel.
ENERGISING COMFORT features three programmes—Forest Glade, Sounds of the Sea and Summer Rain—which provide an immersive and realistic on-board sound experience. These calming sounds were created in consultation with the acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton.
Volkswagen's 2020 "Project Trinity" promises step change in EV range and charging
Volkswagen has announced that they are working on a cutting-edge electric saloon to be built in Wolfsburg from 2026. Expected to be similar in size to the company’s Arteon fastback saloon, Volkswagen promises ”new standards in terms of range, charging speed and digitization—as well as being able to drive highly automated according to Level 4.”
Volkswagen has announced that they are working on a cutting-edge electric saloon to be built in Wolfsburg from 2026. Expected to be similar in size to the company’s Arteon fastback saloon, Volkswagen promises ”new standards in terms of range, charging speed and digitization—as well as being able to drive highly automated according to Level 4.”
Based on the company’s MEB electric vehicle architecture, the Project Trinity EV should feature advanced vehicle autonomy and connectivity systems.
According to Volkswagen, the project name Trinity is derived from the Latin “trinitas” and stands for the tri-unity. Accordingly, Trinity stands for three crucial themes: a newly developed electronics platform with state-of-the-art software, the simplification of the supply structure, and fully networked and intelligent production at the main plant in Wolfsburg.
Volkswagen claims the newly developed vehicle architecture will set standards in terms of range, digitalization and charging speed, with the aim of Project Trinity to allow customers to charge as fast as traditional refueling.
By the planned start of series production in 2026, it is anticipated that Trinity will reach Level 2+ and be technically ready for Level 4.
“We are using our economies of scale to make autonomous driving available to many people and to build a learning neural network. In this way, we are creating the conditions for the continuous exchange of data from our vehicle fleet—for example, on the traffic situation, on obstacles or on accidents,” says Ralf Brandstätter. Trinity thus gives people time and saves them stress. After a long highway trip, you arrive at your destination relaxed. Because you have been driven by a chauffeur to your vacation or to your home after work. “Trinity therefore becomes a kind of 'time machine' for our customers,” says Ralf Brandstätter.
With the production of the series version, the Wolfsburg plant will become a showcase for state-of-the-art, intelligent and fully networked production processes. “We will completely rethink the way we build cars and introduce revolutionary approaches. Digitalization, automation and lightweight construction play an important role here,” says Ralf Brandstätter.
Future vehicle models such as Trinity will be produced with considerably fewer variants, and the hardware will be largely standardized. The cars will then have virtually everything on board and customers will be able to activate desired functions “on demand” at any time via the digital ecosystem in the car. This will significantly reduce complexity in production.
By developing the automobile into a software-based product, Volkswagen is creating the conditions for new, data-based business models. Entry barriers to individual mobility are to be lowered, while at the same time offering even more attractive usage packages. Volkswagen intends to generate additional revenue in the usage phase—for charging and energy services, for software-based functions that customers can book as needed, or for automated driving. “In the future, the individual configuration of the vehicle will no longer be determined by the hardware at the time of purchase. Instead, customers will be able to add functions on demand at any time via the digital ecosystem in the car,” says Ralf Brandstätter.
According to Inside EVs, Volkswagen clarified some issues with what Ralf Brandstätter told Welt Am Sonntag in an interview about Trinity. The Volkswagen brand’s CEO stated to the German newspaper the Trinity would be around 4 meters (158 inches) long and cost about €35,000.
Volkswagen told InsideEVs there was a mistake in the quote. It should be “more than 4 meters.” According to the company, the car will be similar in size to the ID.4, with a length between 4.5 m (177 in) and 4.7 m (185 in).
JLR has big plans for 2025 with six EV Land Rovers, all EV Jaguar range
Jaguar Land Rover is racing headlong into an all-electric future, with plans revealed to scrap all combustion engine Jaguar models from the line up by 2025. In addition, the company plans to launch six all-electric Land Rover/Range Rover models by the same year.
Jaguar land rover commits to all-electric future; fully electrified Jaguar Range by 2025 and progressive roll out of land rover BEVs
Jaguar Land Rover is racing headlong into an all-electric future, with plans revealed to scrap all combustion engine Jaguar models from the line up by 2025. In addition, the company plans to launch six all-electric Land Rover/Range Rover models by the same year.
Jaguar represents the epitome of British tradition, and has often been accused of struggling to evolve with the times. The company suffered from a COVID-19 related sales decline in 2020, delivering 23.9% fewer units than 2019 . This new global strategy, referred to as “Reimagine” by Jaguar is a firm response to the EU block’s stringent CO2 and greenhouse gas reduction targets over the coming decade.
Jaguar’s I-Pace has been a sales success for the company
Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Thierry Bolloré, the Tata Group-owned Land Rover and Jaguar brands will rely on two separate electric architectures with two clear, unique personalities. The first all-electric Land Rover will arrive in 2024, with diesel engines likely to be phased out completely by 2026. Jaguar’s Model line up will be completely electrified by 2025. Although it’s not yet known which models will comprise this line up, Jaguar has confirmed the nearly complete electric XJ has been scrapped.
Jaguar Land Rover CEO Thierry Bolloré.
Jaguar’s I-Pace has been a relative success for the company, selling 7,807 units worldwide in Q4 2020. The I-Pace’s unconventional styling likely hints at the future of Jaguar’s line up: heavily skewed towards profitable SUVs, with a sport-oriented aesthetic and smart packaging.
Land Rover will use the forthcoming flex Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA). It will deliver electrified internal combustion engines and full electric variants as the company evolves its product line-up in the future. In addition, Land Rover will also use pure electric biased Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) which will also support advanced hybrid vehicles.
Land Rover’s Defender PHEV will eventually be joined by an all electric variant
Jaguar Land Rover will retain its plant and assembly facilities in the home UK market and around the world. As well as being the manufacturer of the MLA architecture, Solihull, West Midlands will also be the home to the future advanced Jaguar pure electric platform.
Jaguar Land Rover is aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its supply chain, products and operations by 2039. The company is also carrying out research in fuel-cell powertrains, as many global economies look toward hydrogen. Jaguar claims fuel cell powered prototypes will be on UK roads within the next 12 months. Jaguar Land Rover plans to spend circa £2.5bn annually in electrification technologies and the development of connected services and technology.
Jaguar currently offers one all electric I-Pace model, plus hybrid versions of the F-Pace and E-Pace.
UK’s greenest taxi fleet to add five new MG5 EV wagons to its Manchester roster
The MG5 EV estate is an electric vehicle with plenty of space, and an accessible entry price, making it perfect for taxi duties. Premier Taxis was named GreenFleet Private Hire/Taxi Company of the year thanks to its EV initiative after it began operating electric taxis in 2015.
Five MG 5 EV wagons set to join Lancashire taxi fleet
The MG5 EV estate is an electric vehicle with plenty of space, and an accessible entry price, making it perfect for taxi duties. Premier Taxis was named GreenFleet Private Hire/Taxi Company of the year thanks to its EV initiative after it began operating electric taxis in 2015.
The new all-electric MGs replace Toyota Auris Hybrids on the Premier fleet and will be used across the Lancashire firm’s region, as well as airport transfers where the large luggage capacity comes in handy.
Premier Taxis Business Manager, Nikita Cutler, said: “The MG5 EV is great as it has a larger luggage capacity. This will come in handy as these vehicles are viable for airport transfers to Manchester, allowing us to offer customers the opportunity to use a Zero Emission airport transfer service for the first time.
“They will also be really handy for local journeys for those customers who have just been shopping, or for when we are collecting shopping for our most vulnerable customers during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The MG5 is a spacious, affordable estate priced from £24,495. Image: Auto Express
Premier Taxis is gradually converting its entire fleet to electric-only thanks to huge reductions in running costs as well as positive feedback from its passengers.
“The investment in new electric vehicles is money well spent as operating costs for the company and drivers have reduced while at the same time allowing us to contribute to improving the air quality around Lytham St. Annes, Blackpool and Wyre,” added Nikita. “Electric vehicles also require less day-to-day maintenance, further reducing cost.
“Our customers find them very comfortable, enjoy the smooth and quiet ride and some of them choose only to travel in a 100% Electric vehicle as they understand the difference Zero Emission travel can make to local air quality.”
Premier Taxis driver Steve Foster added: “I have already been managing more than 200 miles (320 kilometres) on a single charge. I plug the car in at home at 5pm and that will last me until the following day at 5pm.
“Our old cars cost £22 to get to Manchester Airport. With the MG it will cost hardly anything to complete the same trip so they make great sense for a taxi driver.”
The MG5 EV is the UK’s first and only all-electric estate (wagon) model, and has a usable luggage capacity of up to 1,456 litres (578 litres with rear seats up). With a 52.5kWh battery, the MG5 has a single-speed front-mounted motor that produces 115kW (154hp) and 260Nm of torque. It has a respectable 0-100kmh (0-62mph) time of 7.7 seconds.
Sadly, SAIC Motor Australia has ruled out the MG5 for the Australian market, and is relying on the MG ZS EV to fly the electric flag for the brand down under. Most likely this is a business decision based on low EV uptake in the Australian market, and a consumer penchant for high-riding SUVs over estates.
