Detour
"Hey Mercedes"
Detour
COURTESY
PHOTOGRAPHY
e German carmaker brings the luxe
S-Class to the EV market
BY BRIAN DOUGLAS
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
transportation
F
OR THE LAST DECADE, TESLA
has enjoyed the luxury EV market
without any serious competition, and
that stature has turned Elon Musk from
a struggling entrepreneur to the world's
richest inhabitant. And, Tesla's unrivaled
success has brought down at least one
major automaker's CEO, who is now running a car rental
company. But market dominance can't last forever.
We recently reviewed Porsche's Taycan, a stylish electric sedan
with enough luxury and panache to outsell Tesla's Model S,
despite a modest 227-mile range. Now, Mercedes-Benz is
weighing in with its EQS, an EV with German luxury that
travels a reasonable 340 miles on a full charge.
Surprises
I hadn't yet had the opportunity to look over Mercedes'
handsome new offering, so my first encounter was upon
returning from the East Coast after spending a couple
of weeks with family. After shuttling to the airport
offsite parking with luggage in tow, we wondered if the
Mercedes would accommodate all of our belongings.
Although there's not an engine up front, the hood, hiding
a principal electric motor and controls, is closed and
locked to anyone other than a service technician. What
looks like it might be a release latch in the left fender
opens to receive windshield washer fluid when needed.
(I'm betting that this is not the best setup for a border
crossing when the customs officer demands a peek.)
@ranchandcoast ranchandcoast.com
82 MAY 2022 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE
