The Mercedes-Benz EQS: A Visionary Design Ahead of Its Time
The Mercedes-Benz EQS has been described as arriving “10 years too early” for its bold and radical styling to be fully embraced by consumers. The electric saloon, launched in 2021 as the flagship model in Mercedes’ new line of EVs, has faced challenges in generating sales compared to its combustion-engined counterpart, the S-Class. One significant reason for this struggle has been attributed to its progressive design, prompting Mercedes to introduce a more traditional-looking grille in the car’s 2024 update to appeal to a more conservative audience.
Mercedes-Benz design chief Gorden Wagener expressed his thoughts on the EQS, stating, “I think the EQS is probably 10 years too early.” He highlighted the challenge of comparing the EQS to the S-Class, despite the former being developed with a different vision in mind. Wagener emphasized that the EQS was not initially designed as a chauffeur limousine and diverges from conventional expectations in its class.
Wagener further explained, “Many people in this class expect a long hood [bonnet] and status from a chauffeur car, and the EQS is different there. It’s a completely different car. Maybe we should have marketed it differently, more like a futuristic CLS or S-Class Coupé.”
As a response to the EQS’s challenges in the market, Mercedes has decided to integrate the model and the S-Class for their next generation. Both models will be replaced by a pair of ICE and EV variants, badged and styled as S-Classes, in a move to streamline their offerings and cater to evolving consumer preferences.
