Mercedes adds the steer-by-wire option to the new EQS, throws in a couple of extras

Mercedes announced the EQS refresh back in April this year with a steer-by-wire optional feature, but little details were given at the time. The company only promised the futuristic steering wheel a few months after the release. Well, now, you can order the EQS at an additional cost of €2,500.

The €2,500 price tag doesn't give you only the futuristic-looking steering wheel, though. The package also includes a steering rear axle that helps the vehicle maneuver at low speeds by turning 10° in the opposite direction, while at high speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction, ultimately improving cornering stability.

Mercedes' take on steer-by-wire is also interesting on its own. The yoke-styled steering wheel turns only 170° from lock to lock. It also adapts to the current speed and situation, so for instance you will have to do very little steering while parking.

Additionally, the steering wheel is designed to filter out road bumps, potholes and all kinds of road feedback that you don't want to feel. Since this is an entirely electronic system, the natural road feedback from the conventional steering wheel system you'd normally feel is no longer there, so Mercedes decides what to filter out. The manufacturer claims that it has maintained that precise, Mercedes-intrinsic feel.

Safety isn't taking the back seat here, though. Mercedes assures that the steering wheel will never fail and has incorporated a multi-level redundancy system. If, for any reason, the steering system fails, a second one will take over and will let you control the vehicle. The carmaker has already tested the system for over 1 million kilometers and has passed all safety tests.

Although some manufacturers like Tesla and Lexus have already introduced their steer-by-wire technology, Mercedes is the first German automaker to do so on a production vehicle.

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