AMG badge adds kudos to the Mercedes EQE electric saloon

Fans of high-performance cars won’t have missed the fact that electric motors provide an instantaneous kick of acceleration, enabling incredible performance. At the same time, the zero-emissions rating of an electric car means VRT and annual motor tax are kept to a minimum, regardless of the car’s ability.

It’s quite a ludicrous state of affairs, for example, that electric hypercars that cost millions to buy, come with an annual tax bill of just €120.

And while this hasn’t quite democratised high performance, it does mean Irish buyers who like their cars find themselves in a situation where some serious performance is available at relatively modest pricing.

That – at last I hear you say – brings us to the Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4Matic.

The Mercedes EQE saloon was launched as an all-electric alternative to the traditional E-Class back in 2022, using a big battery and slippery body to eke out impressively long real-world range.

Officially, the most efficient version can hit 674 kilometres on a charge. However, not all buyers of electric cars are obsessed by their range. Most drivers cover less than 50km a day, which is easily achieved by even some of the oldest electric vehicles on the road. Some are far more interested in performance and appearance.

Exterior design and image

Anecdotally, there are as many people that dislike the curvaceous form of the Mercedes EQE as there are fans of the aerodynamically optimised shape. AMG is short for Aufrecht, Melcher, and Großaspach, the division of Mercedes that produces performance vehicles. The AMG version adds a welcome dollop of presence, though the changes are remarkably few. It gets its own style of front ‘grille’ (it’s actually a solid panel, as no engine lurks behind requiring cooling), subtly tweaked bumpers front and rear with more prominent side sills and a more protuberant rear spoiler (apparently it reduces lift at speed without increasing drag, which is no mean feat).

Arguably the most effective change is the addition of a set of larger, stylish alloy wheels, though even those have spent time in the wind tunnel to ensure they don’t drag the car back at speed. Onlookers will know they’re in the presence of something special, though given the rarity of the EQE, it’s unlikely many casual observers will know what it is, let alone the significance of an AMG-enhanced version.

Interior and practicality

Inside, there’s a more thorough makeover, starting with gorgeous sports seats mixing synthetic leather and microfibre upholstery with red stitching. A red-and-black theme permeates throughout (though Mercedes will happily allow you personalise the cabin, budget allowing) and it feels suitably more special than the non-AMG versions. The AMG-specific steering wheel adds to that, as it’s flattened at the bottom and features tactile extra controls to adjust the myriad driving systems to the owner’s liking on the fly.

Behind is an all-digital dashboard including customisable graphics for the instruments and a large touchscreen in the middle. If you’re feeling particularly flush, you can upgrade the dashboard to the ‘Hyperscreen’ layout featuring an extra touchscreen –  for the front-seat passenger – though we found it a little unnecessary.

Rear-seat space in the EQE isn’t quite as generous as it is in its E-Class sibling, though two adults of average size will find it perfectly acceptable. There’s plenty of storage space up front for odds and ends, including a centre console with a wireless phone charger, USB ports, a covered storage box and another large area featuring retractable cup holders. The boot isn’t huge, though, at 430 litres. Don’t count on getting four large suitcases in there on the way to the airport, for example.

Price and electric range

The regular Mercedes EQE is priced from €80,715. It has a single, rear-mounted electric motor, 613km of range and up to 245hp. The one with the longest range, called the EQE 350+, is €85,675, while the most affordable dual-motor model is the EQE 350 4Matic, at €88,280.

Just to confuse things, it’s possible to specify an ‘AMG Line Exterior’ for the lesser models in the lineup, but there are only two proper Mercedes-AMG variants: The 43 4Matic as tested here – costing from €118,865 – and the EQE 53 4Matic+, which produces up to 625hp and costs €125,330. The official range on both of these reduces to just over 500km and our experience at the wheel of the ‘43’ suggests owners should bank on a real-world average of about 450km. Recharging on a fast public DC charger is at up to 170kW, or 11kW on AC.

On the road

Impressive technical specifications don’t always translate into an impressive car, but it’s worth dwelling on the AMG EQE’s vital stats before explaining how they translate into the car’s unique driving experience. There’s an electric motor on each axle for all-wheel drive for a start and when they’re both working at their maximum there’s up to 476hp and an astounding 858Nm of torque deployed. That explains why this 2.5-tonne saloon can scarper away from rest and 4.2 seconds later hit 100km/h. Not so long ago, that was supercar pace.

Just as importantly, however, the AMG EQE feels refined. Sure, it delivers a sledgehammer blow to your back when you push the accelerator all the way down, but it’s one cushioned by years of expert engineering so it never feels uncouth. And anyway, the driver chooses how urgent they’d like the car to feel by selecting from Slippery, Comfort, Sport or Sport+ driving modes. Those alter other aspects of the experience, too, such as the weight of the power steering and the firmness of the suspension.

You see, the AMG EQE comes with sophisticated air suspension as standard, with variable ride height and control, ostensibly allowing it to be a luxury cruiser on the motorway one minute and then cosplay as a sports coupe on the back roads the next. Park your scepticism until you feel it in action, as this is a well-sorted car in most circumstances. Rear-wheel steering helps with its confounding agility in the corners and at manoeuvring speeds too. In short, it lives up to the weight of the AMG badge for the most part.

Specs for Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4Matic