2024 Mercedes EQS gets more range, trades futurism for familiarity with new grille

Mercedes is backpedaling on its futuristic design language with the updated 2024 EQS. The German luxury automaker is ditching the sleek, futuristic looks on its flagship electric sedan in favor of tried-and-true design cues. While some may see this strategy as Mercedes losing faith in EVs, others see it as merely a necessary concession to a transitioning auto market.

The most striking change is a return to a traditional grille – a bold move considering the launch of the Mercedes EQS brought a departure for the brand's design identity. The once-smooth front end with an embedded Mercedes star will now be offered alongside a classic design with a hood-mounted emblem.

CEO Ola Kallenius claims it’s a nod to customer demand. Will a dash of nostalgia be enough to reverse a reported 40% dip in EQS sales during the fourth quarter of 2023? Probably not, but every little bit helps.

Mercedes learned a costly lesson with its EQS in China: sometimes, luxury means legroom. After its sporty, sloped design ate into precious rear headspace (where many affluent Chinese customers prefer to ride), the flagship EV got a massive price cut that still didn't spark major sales.

Now, Mercedes is scrambling to make amends. CEO Ola Kallenius let slip a rather telling solution: "executive seats." It's a bid to cater to the chauffeured elite that makes up a significant chunk of its Chinese market.

The updated EQS doesn’t just offer a facelift; it's poised to get a range boost too. The new model will likely inherit the 118-kWh battery from EQS SUV. If that's the case, the range could very well stretch towards an impressive 500 miles, potentially surpassing rivals like the BMW i7 and Tesla Model S.

Via