Luxury Meets Lifestyle

The latest from Mercedes EQ is a car that claims to balance luxury while accommodating an active lifestyle. We experience it in the hills of Gulmarg

- Joshua Varghese

UNTIL RECENTLY, MERCEDES-BENZ India's electric vehicle (EV) line-up was limited to the luxurious EQS and the versatile EQB. Now there is a new entrant that slots neatly into the middle. To fully experience the EQE 500 4MATIC SUV, we were taken to the lovely Gulmarg, a beautiful sanctuary nestled within Kashmir. Protected by the mountains and blessed by picturesque views all around, the only thing I enjoyed more than the crisp and clean air was the tranquillity of the place. Seemed apt that we were there to drive a car that was as quiet as it was emission-free.

Like the other cars in the EQ line-up, the EQE's design leans towards elegance more than aggression; its shapely form suggesting that it would be more at home parting the air around it gently rather than slicing through it vigorously. Mercedes claim that the car's headlights are equipped with "Digital Light" technology that continuously adapts to conditions, offering the best possible visibility in the given scenario. Between them, a closed black grille embedded with numerous Mercedes stars sell the brand value of the car convincingly. When viewed from the profile, it is hardly surprising to note that they have opted for a coupé-esque roof-line. Aerodynamic efficiency wins over the outright need to be an SUV. Other notable elements here include flush-fitting door-handles, washer fluid reservoir-inspired by the EQS and 20-inch alloy wheels. In comparison, the rear end of the EQE looks and feels rather plain but the tail-lights steal the show with their unique three-dimensional helix design.