Mercedes-Benz rolls out the ‘Made in India’ EQS 580 4MATIC

The country’s largest luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz achieved a significant milestone in its India journey, by rolling out the country’s most advanced and sophisticated luxury Electric Vehicle – the EQS 580 4MATIC. India is the first market outside Germany to manufacture the EQS 580 4MATIC. The EQS 580 4MATIC, which becomes India’s longest range EV, is a design and technology marvel and sets new benchmark in the luxury EV segment. The luxury EV’s India rollout reiterates Mercedes-Benz’s commitment for offering the Indian customers, the most desirable and technologically advanced, futuristic products from its global portfolio. The launch of the EQS 580 4MATIC also underpins Mercedes-Benz’s global vision towards achieving a climate neutral car fleet in the foreseeable future. The local manufacturing of the EQS 580 4MATIC underlines Mercedes-Benz India’s global competencies accomplished in flexible production at its state-of—the-art manufacturing facility that now produces series, Maybach, AMG and luxury EVs, all under one roof.

Speaking on the occasion, Martin Schwenk, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “The EQS 580 4MATIC is our first locally manufactured EV in India and will play a pivotal role in driving our ambitious EV plans for the market. It is a perfect blend of technology, luxury and safety, pioneering numerous tech features for our customers. India is the first country outside Germany to manufacture the EQS 580 4MATIC, and this unique distinction underpins Mercedes-Benz India’s deep customer commitment and long-term vision for developing the luxury EV market here.”

He added, “The manufacturing of EQS 580 4MATIC in India is a key milestone and a strong testament to our state-of-the-art manufacturing prowess and our commitment to the vision of ‘Make in India’. It reiterates our relentless focus on developing the local market, creating value for customers, and introducing future-ready products, combining the best of luxury, technology, and safety. The ‘Made in India’ EQS sets a very high benchmark in the entire Indian automotive market and combines luxury and technology like no other modern EV in the market.”

Product Highlights:
As the world’s most aerodynamic car, the EQS 580 4MATIC boasts of a drag coefficient from 0.20. This contributes to the luxury saloon being India’s longest range EV with 857 kms range (ARAI certified). The high power density of the lithium-ion battery comes with usable energy content of 107.8 kWh and is equipped with a powerful 400 volt battery manufactured using the latest lithium-ion technology. It is equipped with superior technology through the advanced infotainment system MBUX Hyperscreen.

Safety features:
The EQS puts significant focus on safety with EURO NCAP rating of 5 star and comes equipped with 9 airbags for customer safety. Like all other Mercedes, the EQS features a rigid passenger cell, special deformation zones and state-of-the-art restraint systems. PRE-SAFE® is standard. The fact that the EQS is based on an all-electric architecture also opened up new design possibilities for its safety concept. It means, for example, that a favorable location could be chosen for the installation of the battery, in a crash-protected area in the underbody.

Since there is no large engine block on board, the behavior in a frontal crash could be modelled even better. In addition to the standard crash tests, the car’s performance in various additional load situations was verified and extensive component tests carried out at the Vehicle Safety Technology Centre (TFS), Sindelfingen.

Other unique EQS features:
The drive experience is unmatched with the inclusion of rear-axle steering with 10° steering angle adjustment, HEPA Filter, Dynamic Select, and Predictive Route Planning among other features. The sustainability in the EQS is enhanced through recycled & renewable raw materials as well as usage of recycled steel among other elements.

Vyankatesh Kulkarni, Executive Director and Head of Operations, Mercedes-Benz India said, “The roll-out of the EQS in India as the first market outside Germany is a very proud moment for our plant and confirms our commitment towards ‘Make in India’. It highlights our manufacturing prowess and global competence in handling complex assembly processes for a sophisticated and technologically advanced product like the EQS.

We achieve a rare distinction in flexible production, as we manufacture series cars, Maybach performance AMGs and now luxury EVs all under a single roof. This feat is only possible with the gradual transition of our plant into electrification, smart manufacturing processes and upskilling the workforce towards transformative future. It has been a great journey to reach a historic moment of a ‘Green plant running on 100% green energy and manufacturing green product’. This truly underlines our commitment towards sustainability. With the EQS 580, we have opened avenues for best of technologies, sustainability and luxury for our discerning customers, to be made in India.”

Production Highlights:
With introduction of all-new EQS 580 4MATIC at our facility in Chakan, Mercedes-Benz India has started its transformation journey with focus on future:

Flexible Manufacturing:
To stay on top of changing consumer demand, the plant is evolving by implementing flexible assembly lines, which can produce multiple models of ICEs and EVs.
Complex Battery fitment process:
The new battery for the EQS 580 4MATIC sets standards in terms of performance, efficiency and charging capacity. Mercedes-Benz India has implemented an innovative, safe and efficient Battery assembly process, which delivers on the philosophy of “First Time Right” production and quality assurance processes.
MBUX Hyperscreen:
One of the standout features of the EQS is the MBUX Hyperscreen. This stunning digital panel including the whole cockpit is assembled in the plant for the first time. Mercedes-Benz India has pushed the boundaries of innovation to realize high performing assembly processes at every stage of production.
Head-up Display:
This head-up display projects visual information into driver’s field of vision without any distraction. Advance testing and calibration processes and lab is set up first time in the plant, starting with EQS 580 4MATIC.
Skilled Workforce:
To complement technological products and advanced manufacturing processes, our workforce is equipped with traditional as well as futuristic skills like EE-Software, Battery (electrical) technologies and High Voltage architecture in manufacturing environment.
Frameless doors:
The doors are frameless, lending them an inimitable elegance and lightness of touch. A defining feature that sets the EQS 580 apart is built through a handcrafted assembly process in our plant.
Charging: The new battery for the EQS 580 sets standards in terms of performance, efficiency and charging capacity. Raising the bar on sustainability ambitions, our plant is now equipped with a Green charging ecosystem, with AC and DC chargers.