Mercedes-Benz EQ S coming in 2020 – report
CLS could be getting plug-in hybrid power soon, too
Mercedes-Benz is plotting an all-electric luxury flagship to rival upcoming cars from Audi and Jaguar, according to a new report out of the UK.
Autocar quotes the company's large cars project boss, Michael Kelz, saying: "We will have an electric vehicle at the level of the S-Class, no doubt, but it will not be the S-Class".
The new vehicle will come under Mercedes-Benz's new EQ electric sub-brand, and use the new MEA modular architecture for electric vehicles (EV).
While the name of this vehicle is not confirmed, it's believed it will be badged 'EQ S' – a name the company first trademarked in 2016 alongside the EQ A, EQ C, EQ E and EQ G badges.
Such a badge would keep the 'S' branding to position the new vehicle at the top of the line-up, without being a derivative of the S-Class.
"It will be a luxury, electric car, a top-of-the-line car," Kelz told Autocar.
Mercedes-Benz's approach differs to arch rivals Audi and Jaguar, which are said to be planning all-electric versions of the A8 and XJ limousines respectively.
Kelz told the British publication the EQ S – or whatever it will be named – should launch between 2020 and 2022 (at the latest), forming part of the 20-strong line-up of electrified models Benz plans to release in that timeframe.
According to the company's large car boss, the S-Class's current MRA platform cannot accommodate pure-electric powertrains, but it does allow for plug-in hybrid power.
On that topic, he added the recently-launched CLS four-door coupe (above) could be next in line to receive a plug-in hybrid variant, though its launch is still to be greenlit.
"We have not planned to bring this car to market as a plug-in hybrid, but it would be possible. As soon as we see there is higher demand, we could go for a plug-in hybrid in the CLS," he said.
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