Mercedes is working on upgrading the EVA 2 platform to improve its efficiency.
Mercedes officials aren’t happy with sales of the luxury electric models, falling far short of expectations, and they are planning to upgrade the EVA I2 platform used in the EQE/EQS and derivative SUVs.
At the launch of the Mercedes EQS, in the two-motor, all-wheel-drive electric versions, both permanent magnet synchronous motors were running continuously, leading to higher energy consumption. Mercedes EQS two-motor models from now on will have a clutch that allows the front motor to be disconnected when more power or additional traction is not needed.
Clutch engagement and disengagement should be very smooth, and, therefore, the speed difference between the wheels and the engine should be as small as possible.
Mercedes chose the solution with a synchronous motor on the front axle and clutch for decoupling instead of an asynchronous motor that is not powered when not under load because they found it is up to 6% more energy efficient.
Decoupling the front motor saves energy and increases range. German car magazine auto motor und sport carried out a range test with the Mercedes EQS 580 4Matic equipped with the front engine decoupling system, which covered 601 km between charges in eco mode compared to 560 km before.
The increase in range was achieved despite modified Mercedes EQS 580 4Matic models are 46 kg heavier due to the introduction of the clutch and heat pump. Mercedes engineers have not introduced heat pump so far, considering it has advantages only in certain respects.
An additional condenser has also been fitted in the water circuit to make more efficient use of the engine’s waste heat.
With the introduction of the clutch to the front engine, Mercedes has increased the output of the EQS 580 4Matic from 523 to 544 ps, the same as the EQS 580 4Matic SUV.
The battery capacity will also be increased in the future. The usable capacity of the large battery will increase from 108.4 kWh to 118 kWh, and the small battery from 90.6 to 96 kWh in case of EQE.
Mercedes says it has also solved the problem of inconsistent brake pedal feedback, and recovery is also active when the brake pedal is depressed (except for emergency braking), with a very high recovery energy power of up to 290 kW.
The German premium manufacturer has also been responsive to criticisms about the quality of materials compared to the S-Class and will offer better quality materials on seat backs and other areas. It will also introduce an indicator showing the remaining battery level in percent.
Oliver Rocker, head of the EVA II platform model range, confirms what we wrote a few days ago, that the 2025/2026 facelift will see the introduction of the 800V architecture, which will be used also in the new compact models built on the new MMA platform.
However, 800V technology is not possible without a new battery because the chemistry of the battery cell must withstand a higher charging voltage. Rocker says the EVA 2 platform must remain technologically advanced. This approach is logic because it doesn’t make sense that the platform for new compact models running at 800V should be more advanced than the one for luxury electric models.
