Mercedes-Benz EQS: Steer-by-Wire debuts on a production model

Mercedes-Benz has announced that its new EQS sedan will be available with a Steer-by-Wire system, which is a steering setup with no mechanical connection between the steering and the axle. It marks a first for a German automaker on a mass production vehicle. The technology, which eliminates the direct mechanical link between the steering wheel and the front wheels, will be offered a few months after the model’s launch.

• Mercedes-Benz becomes the first German automaker to offer Steer-by-Wire on a production vehicle.

• The system underwent more than one million kilometres of testing before receiving homologation.

• A redesigned steering wheel and a completely rethought airbag architecture accompany the technology.

This is a significant technical achievement, but also a fundamental shift in the way the driver interacts with the car.

The technology is not new to the industry. Infiniti introduced it with the 2014 Q50 sedan. Very few models worldwide are currently equipped with it, which is precisely what makes Mercedes-Benz’s announcement noteworthy: it remains a rare technology.

How it works

With a steering system that has no mechanical link, commands are transmitted electronically to the wheels. Sensors read the driver’s intentions through steering wheel movement, and actuators execute the command at the axle. Haptic feedback (what you feel in your hands) is calculated from the forces the wheels exert on the road surface and then synthetically retransmitted to the steering wheel.

In practical terms, the unwanted vibrations caused by road imperfections no longer reach the driver’s hands. At the same time, precise feedback about what is happening between the tires and the pavement is retained. The goal is to make the experience feel as natural as possible, though the sensation behind the wheel is genuinely different. It is difficult to describe when you experience it firsthand, because it introduces a new feeling that takes some getting used to.

The advantages

One concrete benefit of this type of system is the elimination of a significant number of mechanical components. It also changes the way you handle the wheel when transitioning from one steering angle to another. The steering ratio can vary depending on the situation; it is more precise at highway speeds for stability, and more direct in tight environments to make parking easier.

As mentioned, it delivers sensations that are different and new.

Is the system reliable?

Mercedes-Benz emphasizes the robustness of its technology. The architecture is fully redundant, with two independent signal paths. If one circuit fails, the other takes over. And in the extremely unlikely event of a complete system failure, the rear-wheel steering, combined with individual wheel braking interventions via the stability control system, still allows the vehicle to be guided.

The automaker says the system underwent more than one million kilometres of testing in laboratory conditions, on closed circuits, and in real-world traffic.

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The steering wheel itself has been redesigned. Its flattened shape opens up space in the cabin, improves the driver’s view of the instrument panel, and makes it easier to get in and out of the vehicle.

That said, eliminating the upper portion of the steering wheel creates a technical challenge: the airbag no longer has a rigid surface to deploy against. Mercedes-Benz has therefore developed an entirely new internal architecture for the airbag, with a redesigned folding pattern, anchor points, and inflation geometry to ensure stable and repeatable deployment without compromising the brand’s safety standards.

An anniversary and a milestone

The launch of this technology comes as part of the celebrations surrounding Mercedes-Benz’s 140th anniversary. Karl Benz patented the first automobile in 1886. Mercedes-Benz is marking the occasion with a world tour spanning 140 destinations across six continents, highlighting the brand’s heritage and technological ambitions.

The new Steer-by-Wire system on the EQS sedan is presented as a symbol of that pioneering spirit, carried into the electric era.

The system is available in combination with all EQS powertrain configurations.

Rest assured, we will be paying close attention to the driving feel of this model when we have the opportunity to get behind the wheel.