SILENT ASSASSIN

THIS IS THE MERCEDES EV FLAGSHIP POISED TO PUT A BULLET IN THE HEAD OF S-CLASS

- JOHN CAREY

SWIFT, SILENT AND slippery, the EQS has the essential attributes of an excellent assassin. And that’s exactly what it is. This big, luxurious and tech-laden electric sedan is the car that kills the S-Class.

Mercedes-Benz, without being explicit, confirmed in late July that the just-launched and all-hybrid W223 S-Class will be the last of the line. From 2025, all new-vehicle architectures the company launches will be electric-only.

So that’s the fate of the S-Class, for decades Mercedes-Benz’s flagship model, effectively sealed. Only the timing of the funeral remains unknown. Will the W223 run its natural lifespan of seven or so years? Or will the EQS strangle it to death earlier than 2027?

Whenever it happens, it won’t be a tragedy. Not only is the EQS a machine in tune with the times and fit for the future, it’s also a better big luxury car than the S-Class in many ways that really count.

The interior of the latest S-Class is visually stunning, but that of the EQS is even better. Especially if it has Hyperscreen. This curved and carved sheet of glass is almost the entire instrument panel, and its visual impact is immense.

Will the S-Class run its natural lifespan? Or will the EQS strangle it to death earlier than 2027?

Behind it are up to three displays: configurable instruments for the driver, a massive central touchscreen, plus an optional passenger screen. Hyperscreen is a technology reserved for EQ models, and it’s desirable for more than just its looks.