Mercedes-Benz EQS 2027: The Electric Flagship Reinvents Itself

 

The moment has finally arrived: Mercedes-Benz has officially pulled the wraps off the 2027 version of its EQS electric sedan. And make no mistake, this is not a simple cosmetic update. More than a quarter of the vehicle’s components have been revised, with improvements targeting fundamental areas: electrical architecture, powertrain, charging, and steering. In short, the three-pointed star brand listened to its critics and acted accordingly.

• 800-volt architecture: charging capacity jumps from 200 kW to 350 kW.

• Optional steer-by-wire: Mercedes becomes the first German automaker to offer this technology.

• New 122 kWh battery and in-house electric motors.

The Big Leap: 800-Volt Architecture

The Achilles’ heel of the current EQS was always its charging capability. With a 400-volt architecture, power was capped at 200 kW, respectable for an entry-level model, but not for a flagship sedan of the EQS’s caliber. The 2027 version fixes this in one shot by adopting an 800-volt structure, unlocking up to 350 kW of DC fast charging.

What that means in practice is the ability to recover over 300 km of range in just a few minutes, provided you have a charger that can keep up. That’s the kind of capability that fundamentally changes your relationship with an electric vehicle.

The battery itself gains energy density through improved cell chemistry, growing from 118 kWh to 122 kWh. The projected range is over 650 kilometres, finally putting the EQS in a less unfavorable position against the Lucid Air.

In-House Motors and a Two-Speed Gearbox

Mercedes has also thoroughly reworked its powertrains. The new electric drive units are designed and built entirely in-house. The rear motor gets a two-speed gearbox, a first in this segment. First gear multiplies torque by 11 at launch, with spectacular results. Second gear takes over at lower speeds to optimize highway efficiency.

That combination puts the EQS among the elite in terms of both performance and efficiency, capable of blistering launches while keeping energy consumption in check at cruising speed.

Final performance figures are still pending, but expectations are high.

Steer-by-Wire: The Innovation That Changes the Game

We recently published a piece on this technology, which now makes its production debut on the new EQS. The 2027 model offers steer-by-wire as an option, a system with no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels. Mercedes becomes the first German automaker to offer this on a production vehicle.

What really turns heads is the yoke-style steering wheel that comes with the system, more inspired by aviation than automotive tradition. Rotation is limited to 170 degrees, meaning hands never need to leave the 9 and 3 o’clock positions to complete a full turn. Parking maneuverability, in particular, promises to be greatly improved. Those who prefer a traditional round wheel can still opt for conventional electromechanical steering.

A Tweaked Design, But Still Recognizable

Aesthetically, the 2027 EQS gets targeted updates rather than a full redesign. The front end has been restyled with an illuminated grille and an optional illuminated standing star, while the headlights adopt the new micro-LED Digital Light technology, now standard. The rear gets a revised bumper, but the model’s signature arched profile is preserved. The drag coefficient remains at 0.20, making it one of the most aerodynamically efficient production vehicles in the world.

Personalization enthusiasts will be well served: more than 100 exterior colours are available through the Manufaktur program.

Connected Luxury

The interior evolves as well. Rear passengers will discover two 13-inch entertainment screens with remote controls and video conferencing support, a detail that tells you something about who actually sits behind the wheel of these cars.

Heated front seatbelts make their debut on the EQS, alongside new interior accents and trim options, including black natural grain poplar wood and laurel-pattern stitching. A filtration system capable of eliminating more than 99.65% of airborne particles is also included.

Finally, the new MB.OS multimedia platform integrates all vehicle functions into a single ecosystem. The iconic Hyperscreen, that 55-inch surface housing three displays beneath a single pane of glass across the dashboard, remains standard. The AI-powered virtual assistant now handles more sophisticated voice interactions and navigation plans, charging stops based on real-time traffic, terrain, and actual energy consumption.

Final Thoughts

The EQS remains a spectacular and technologically advanced automobile. The problem is that it never achieved the commercial success Mercedes had hoped for. One of the issues, something the brand has already acknowledged, comes down to design. Buyers don’t recognize it as a Mercedes-Benz.

We’re not convinced the 2027 version will change that perception. Time will tell what the public thinks.

The sedan is expected to reach North American dealerships in the second half of 2026. Pricing will be announced shortly before the model arrives in showrooms.