The electric flagship from Stuttgart

In the summer of 2021, Mercedes-Benz launched the first fully electric luxury sedan. Since then, the EQS 580 4-Matic has undoubtedly been in the Champions League among German cars and is likely to be at the top in terms of comfort, technology and performance, and not only in the range of electric sedans. Its only downside is the price, which is only attainable for normal earners by making huge sacrifices, and which, together with a few additional extras that can be booked, can easily be raised to the level of a modest condominium.

But anyone who wants to reach 100 km/h in a fully electric two-and-a-half-ton truck from zero in the blink of an eye, while enjoying the silent luxury of an air-suspended sedan and the total output of two electric motors with a combined 524 horsepower front and rear, will have to dig deeper into their pockets.

In return, the car from Stuttgart displays Swabian economy. In an extensive test, the German Automobile Club (ADAC) attested to a consumption of 23.3 kWh per 100 kilometers, stating: "In view of the sports car-level performance and a weight of 2632 kilograms, this is remarkably low. The stingy use of energy benefits the range, which is actually 530 kilometers according to the automobile club.

This is also appreciated by Winfried Kretschmann, the prime minister of Baden-Württemberg, who uses the EQS as his official car to drive around the state and countered criticism of it in his own way: "The mini-president of Baden-Württemberg drives Daimler. Baschta. I can't drive a Fiat!"

But the middle classes also enjoy driving a posh Mercedes - if the opportunity arises. We had it. (aum/hrr)