- The facelifted Mercedes EQS will offer steer-by-wire technology.
- It will come with a new and more compact yoke steering wheel.
- Updated EV will have revised styling and improved infotainment.
The Mercedes EQS has been an unmitigated disaster as consumers ignored the anonymous, electric blob. The underwhelming reaction pushed the automaker to rush out an emergency facelift in 2024, which featured a more traditional grille, a hood ornament, interior tweaks, and a beefier battery pack.
The company is now preparing a second facelift and Mercedes has confirmed the model will embrace steer-by-wire technology as well as a yoke steering wheel. They’re a bit late to the game, but said the change will usher in a variety of benefits.
More: Mercedes EQS Is Going Back Under The Knife For A Second Facelift
While the automaker didn’t go into many specifics, they said the changes reduce steering effort and mean drivers no longer need to adjust their grip on the wheel while turning. In effect, small movements can make a big difference when driving.
Mercedes went on to say road vibrations transmitted through the steering wheel are eliminated as there’s no longer a mechanical linkage. The automaker also promised the “precise, intuitive steering feel” will be maintained despite being digital.
The steer-by-wire system will be optional, but Mercedes said it has already logged over a million kilometers (621,371 miles) worth of testing. They added the technology has redundancies built in to ensure safety including two signal paths, so “steering capability is always guaranteed.”
A New Steering Wheel
Models equipped with steer-by-wire technology will have a new, yoke-style steering wheel. It features a rectangular design with four spokes as well as curves at the top and bottom.
Mercedes said the yoke gives drivers more space, while also aiding entry and egress. Drivers can also see the digital instrument cluster more easily as the steering wheel rim no longer blocks part of the view. Those are tangible benefits, but the company noted the new designed required the development of a unique airbag.
Other Changes
The interior pictures suggest the cabin will largely carryover, but a closer inspection reveals an updated infotainment system with new graphics and a revised layout. It presumably runs the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System that debuted on the CLA and is slowly spreading across the company’s lineup.
Mercedes also gave us a peek at the updated exterior, which sports star-infused headlights. We can also expect a revised grille and updated bumpers.
More importantly, the EQS could adopt a new 800 volt electrical architecture to significantly reduce recharging times. We also wouldn’t be surprised to find a new battery pack with an improved cell chemistry as well as more efficient motors that were developed in-house. These changes should deliver a significant improvement in range, although that wasn’t much of a problem as the current model can travel up to 390 miles (628 km) between stops.
