Mercedes-Benz Overhauls EQS with 122-kWh Battery and 925-Kilometer Range

Mercedes-Benz announced a major redesign of its EQS flagship sedan on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. According to the manufacturer’s release, the 2027 EQS 450+ achieves an estimated 925-kilometer driving range under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure, or WLTP. That converts to approximately 575 miles on a single charge. The Australian EV publication The Driven reports that this figure currently stands as the highest claimed range for any electric vehicle tested under the European standard. Mercedes achieved the increase by replacing the previous 118-kilowatt-hour battery with a new 122-kilowatt-hour pack. The automaker states the new cells use silicon oxide blended with graphite in the anodes. This chemical change increases energy density and allows the larger capacity to fit within the same physical dimensions as the outgoing unit.

The underlying power structure of the vehicle has completely changed. Mercedes-Benz documentation confirms the company replaced the original 400-volt electrical architecture with an 800-volt system. Higher voltage systems allow vehicles to accept charging current faster while managing heat more effectively. At compatible direct-current fast-charging stations, the new EQS can accept up to 350 kilowatts of power. The company claims this allows the vehicle to recover 320 kilometers of range in 10 minutes. Because charging infrastructure remains inconsistent in many regions, Mercedes engineered the battery to split virtually into two 400-volt halves when connected to older chargers, pulling up to 175 kilowatts combined according to the automotive publication Wheel Front. The updated battery also introduces bi-directional charging. The vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home systems allow the EQS to discharge its stored energy back into a house or the local electrical grid during peak demand or power outages.

Updates extend beyond the battery pack to the drive units. Mercedes-Benz replaced the original motors with units developed entirely in-house. The rear axle now features a two-speed transmission. Wheel Front reports that the transmission uses a shorter first gear for initial acceleration and a taller second gear for highway speeds, optimizing efficiency when cruising. The braking system also received a significant software upgrade. Regenerative braking capacity, which captures kinetic energy during deceleration and feeds it back into the battery, increased by a third to 385 kilowatts. Mercedes claims everyday braking can be handled almost entirely through regeneration without using the friction brakes. The body retains its teardrop shape and 0.20 drag coefficient.

The 2027 EQS is the first production vehicle from a German automaker to offer optional steer-by-wire technology, according to Kelley Blue Book, a vehicle valuation and research company. The system eliminates the physical metal steering column connecting the steering wheel to the front tires. Electronic sensors interpret driver inputs and send digital signals to electric motors on the steering rack. Mercedes offers a rectangular yoke steering control as an alternative to a traditional wheel for vehicles equipped with this option. To ensure safety, the system uses redundant electronic signal paths and can use the electronic stability program and rear-axle steering to maintain control if the primary steer-by-wire system fails. How luxury car buyers will respond to the disconnected steering feel and the yoke design remains unknown.

Vehicle operations are managed by a new software backbone called the Mercedes-Benz Operating System. The manufacturer states this system integrates powertrain, infotainment, and driver assistance functions, allowing the company to send over-the-air updates to the entire vehicle. The assistance suite relies on a network of 27 sensors and 10 cameras to manage automated lane changes and evasive steering maneuvers. Official pricing for the United States market remains unpublished. The base price in Germany starts at 94,403 euros according to The Driven. The vehicle will arrive in European showrooms later in 2026, with United States dealership deliveries following in the second half of the year. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has not yet released its official range estimates, which typically fall short of WLTP figures due to different testing methodologies.