Mercedes-Benz S560e plug-in hybrid to be launched in Malaysia – all-electric EQC SUV to be previewed

Mercedes-Benz S560e plug-in hybrid to be launched in Malaysia – all-electric EQC SUV to be previewed

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has teased the upcoming debut of two EQ-based models in the country on its Facebook page, with the cars set to be introduced later this week. The first is an EQ Power offering, the Mercedes-Benz S 560 e, the plug-in hybrid version of the facelifted W222 S-Class.

The variant made its debut in Frankfurt back in 2017, and speculation had been rife about whether it would make its way in last year when the S-Class facelift was launched in August – there was however no sign of the S 560 e or even mention of it as being in the pipeline at that point. That – and the quietening of its EQ push – made it feel as if MBM was easing back on its electrification plans, which of course isn’t the case, what with the advent of the upcoming debutants.

The S 560 e’s hybrid drive system combines a 3.0 litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine offering 362 hp (367 PS) and 500 Nm and an electric motor – housed within the nine-speed 9G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission – with a rated output of 121 hp (90 kW) and 440 Nm.

Performance-wise, the car has an all-electric range of around 50 km, courtesy of an increased capacity 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery which features 37 Ah lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt (Li-NMC) cells instead of the previous 22 Ah lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePo) units. The unit, built by Daimler subsidiary Deutsche Accumotive, is also smaller than its predecessor, aiding an increase in available boot space.

Mercedes-Benz S560e plug-in hybrid to be launched in Malaysia – all-electric EQC SUV to be previewed

The car features a water-cooled onboard charger with a capacity of 7.4 kW, and the battery can be charged from 10% to 100% SoC (status of charge) in around 1.5 hours with a Mercedes Wallbox at full power. With a conventional domestic power socket, charging to full takes around five hours.

The other model that will be unveiled is from the EQ stable, the all-electric EQC SUV. Series production of the N293 only started last month, so the reveal here is very much a teaser – a market introduction here probably won’t happen until next year at the earliest, based on projections elsewhere (China gets its market launch at year end, the US early next year).

Closer to home, Thailand has stated plans to launch the SUV towards the end of this year, and it was previously reported that the EQC was being considered for local assembly in the Kingdom as part of the automaker’s electric expansion plans, so should that happen, the EQC might eventually come via the ASEAN route at some point in the future.

Mercedes-Benz S560e plug-in hybrid to be launched in Malaysia – all-electric EQC SUV to be previewed

The EQC, which shares the same underpinnings as the GLC, will likely be shown in EQC 400 4Matic form, although it remains to be seen what trim level the show car will have (the teaser image shows a non-AMG Line model, also the case for the S 560 e).

Powertrain wise, the SUV features an electric drivetrain on each axle – the front motor drives the SUV along during low loads and whilst cruising, while the rear motor kicks in when performance and high power output is called for.

Together, the asynchronous motors offer 300 kW (or 402 hp) and 760 Nm in output, and give the EQC a 0-100 km/h time of 5.1 seconds and an electronically-limited 180 km/h top speed. An 80 kWh lithium-ion battery provides the juice for both electric motors and gives the SUV an operating range of more than 450 km, based on a NEDC test cycle.

Like the battery in the S 560 e, the EQC’s modular battery is also built by Deutsche Accumotive. The 650 kg unit features 384 cells (two modules with 48 cells each and four with 72 cells each) and has a maximum voltage of 408 volts and a nominal capacity of 210 Ah.

Also, like the S-Class PHEV, it’s equipped with a water-cooled 7.4 kW onboard charger. With a Wallbox or via public AC charging at 7.4 kW, 16A per phase, it takes around 11 hours to get the battery from 10% to 100%,

However, via DC rapid charging – accomplished via CCS (Combined Charging Systems) in Europe and the USA, CHAdeMO in Japan or GB/T in China – the charging time drops phenomenally. With a 400 volt supply voltage and a current output of around 300 amps, the battery can be juiced up from 10% to 80% SOC in around 40 minutes through the DC route.

More on the Mercedes-Benz S 560 e and EQC when both are officially revealed later this week.

GALLERY: W222 Mercedes-Benz S 560 e plug-in hybrid

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz EQC

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Sell here under 300K hybrid tax break.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
    • EDITO Rj on Jun 10, 2019 at 7:59 pm

      Malaysians only have 1 very simple game changing question :” Where is Proton Iriz EV?”

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
    • M Song on Jun 10, 2019 at 9:40 pm

      Keep dreaming

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • V Power Racing on Jun 11, 2019 at 7:58 am

      Why government needs to give tax break to rich people who doesnt deserve it just so they can buy an S Class?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
    • Engineer on Jun 11, 2019 at 11:16 am

      But the replacement battery will cost half as much the car. Better to throwaway and buy new car if that’s the case.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • JasonT on Jun 10, 2019 at 7:35 pm

    This EQC is a rush product. Managing at 22-25 kWh/100km is not efficient. Teslas and those Korean EVs are averaging at only 15-16kWh/100km. The only advantage is luxurious interior. With 80kWh battery managing a lower range than a Niro’s 64kWh battery, it shows Benz has a lot to catch up on efficiency.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Hafriz Shah (Member) on Jun 11, 2019 at 4:38 pm

      Got to remember the EQC is a much bigger, heavier car than than the Niro though – 40% more weight, at 25% less efficiency, sounds about right, no?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Leehanvoon on Jun 10, 2019 at 7:59 pm

    Benz lowered their 250km/h speed limiter to 180 km/h for this model?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • I knew they would bring the S560e here

    But First……Is it CBU or CKD
    If they CBU this car price would be RM900k.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Jun 10, 2019 at 11:24 pm

    end of day. if no special tax break. it wont sell.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • bieight on Jun 11, 2019 at 9:37 am

    After batteries rosak need 150k to repair

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • Prof Goh on Jun 11, 2019 at 11:01 am

    Will I need to be invited to the above launch event, or it is a walk in event? If so, how to go about it. Thanks. I am interested in EQC SUV.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Max291 on Jun 11, 2019 at 11:09 am

    I wonder how much will the repair/replacement cost be.. might be more expensive than the car itself..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
 

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